The City of Pacifica has announced it will close their beaches during the Labor Day holiday weekend, from sunrise Saturday through sunrise Tuesday, with the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the City of Half Moon Bay’s City Council on Tuesday opted to keep its city beaches open. The decision worries some local residents over the possibility of large crowds in Half Moon Bay with other coastal beaches closed.
State beaches will also remain open, according to Half Moon Bay councilmembers.
In a statement Tuesday, the city of Pacifica said it decided to close beach parking lots in addition to closing city beaches themselves. Closing parking lots without closing beaches negatively impacts local neighborhoods, according to the city, as visitors flood them to find parking and beaches still become overcrowded.
The following beaches and beach parking lots will be closed in Pacifica:
- Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar Beach) and north and south parking lots,
- Crespi parking lot in front of the Pacifica Community Center,
- Rockaway Beach and north and south parking lots,
- Sharp Park Beach
- Esplanade Beach and Fisherman’s Lot in the 800 block of Palmetto Avenue
The Coastal Trail, Mori Point hiking trails, Beach Boulevard Promenade, and Pacifica Pier will remain open.
“Labor Day weekend, as an end of summer holiday, is expected to draw large crowds”, Pacifica Mayor Deirdre Martin said in a statement. “With the continuing health concerns related to spread of COVID-19, the City is taking the necessary measures to promote the health and safety of our community. Please celebrate the holiday safely at home.”
Photo credit: City of Pacifica
