As LA County beaches reopened this week, beach parking lots for Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington State Beach, and City beaches being reopened at 50% capacity
This week, through a coordinated regional effort, additional beach access was restored across Orange and LA Counties. To that end, as LA County reopened their beaches to the public for active recreation, select beach parking lots for Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington State Beach, and the City beach are being reopened starting on Friday, May 15, at 5 a.m.
Given the critical importance of social distancing, this limited reopening of beach parking lots was coordinated with the State and LA County in an effort to provide greater access to more of the coast to allow for enhanced social distancing at the beach, and to mitigate overcrowding.
Here locally in Huntington Beach, the State beach parking lots at Bolsa Chica State Beach and Huntington State Beach will be reopened with 50% capacity. Regarding access to City beach parking lots, the following locations will be opened on Friday, May 15:
- 1st Street Lot at Huntington Street (50% capacity only)
- 2nd Street Lot (at bottom level)
- 6th Street Lot (at the south end)
- South Beach Lots from Huntington St. to Beach Bl. (50% capacity only)
A map detailing the limited parking areas and all entry / exit points is attached. Access to these lots is being facilitated in coordination with the reopening of the Bluff Top Parking Lots and all metered stalls along PCH.
Vehicles must adhere to all parking guidelines and payment information based on signage at each lot in order to avoid being ticketed and / or towed by the Huntington Beach Police Department.
In addition, visitors displaying an annual City of Huntington Beach parking pass that expired in March, April or May will be allowed to continue using their passes and will not be ticketed, until further notice from the City. For additional questions regarding beach parking passes, please call (714) 536-5486.
Also of note, given physical infrastructure and beach size constraints which make active recreation and social distancing challenging for the beaches located in Sunset Beach, the public parking lots located in Sunset Beach will not be reopened at this time. Access to the Sunset Beach facilities are included as part of the next phase of the City’s beach reopening plan.
Lastly, the City asks that visitors avoid parking in nearby residential neighborhoods, as parking throughout the City has been limited due to residents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. When visiting the beaches, please be aware that only active recreation is permitted at this time. This includes bicycling, walking, running, and water sports while practicing social distancing. Settling in any one area of the beach, such as sunbathing or picnicking, is temporarily prohibited. In the coming weeks, as we gradually reopen California, the City has developed a phased plan to further lift current beach access restrictions.
The City remains committed to keeping the community informed on the latest COVID-19 updates which will be available on our website at www.HBready.com. For questions about City policies and services, you may also contact our Call Center at (714) 536-5511.
