L.A. County Provides Limited Access to Santa Monica Beaches for Active Recreation Only

May 13, 2020 2:40 PM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Today, Los Angeles County announced limited access to Santa Monica Beaches for active recreation only during daylight hours, including walking, running, swimming and surfing by individuals and families. This change comes through a revision to the L.A. County Health Officer Order. To continue to protect the health and safety of the Santa Monica community and our neighbors, many restrictions are still in place and the following spaces remain closed: 

The following activities and items are prohibited: biking, sunbathing, chairs, tents, canopies, coolers, picnicking, sitting or lying on the sand, volleyball, group sports, gatherings, events, congregating with people outside of one’s own household, and being on the beach at night (the beach will only be open during daylight hours). If you or people you live with are ill, please stay home. 

“Since many beach restrictions remain, we need to match our desire for a day at the beach with continued vigilance to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Interim City Manager and Director of Emergency Services Lane Dilg. “This starts with following the rules adopted by public health authorities, including visiting the beach only for active recreation, maintaining six feet distance from non-family members, and wearing face coverings to protect one another when out of the water. We must all do our part to put our broader community on the road to health and recovery.”   

As some restrictions will be eased during this ongoing public health emergency, other restrictions will remain in place. Face coverings are required out of the water and around other beachgoers, except children under age 2 and children with breathing problems. The Santa Monica Police Department will be monitoring compliance and enforcing as needed in order to address public health risks. 

Today, the LA County Department of Public Health also announced new health orders regarding the re-opening of select lower-risk businesses and recreational facilities. Learn more at publichealth.lacounty.gov. The City will soon share more information about what City facilities can safely reopen under the new health guidelines. 

Residents of Santa Monica who live in the area of the beach and who hold residential beach parking permits for the relevant lots will be permitted to park, as will essential personnel. Santa Monica overpasses accessing the beach will also be reopened this weekend. 

For information on COVID-19 in Santa Monica, visit  santamonica.gov/coronavirus or call the Santa Monica coronavirus hotline: (310) 458-8400. Get Santa Monica emergency alerts by texting SMCOVID to 888-777. Sign up for daily COVID-19 updates at  santamonica.gov/newsletter.   

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Media Contact

Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov

Departments

City Manager's Office

More Information

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=2375