San Diego County officials announced last Friday that coastal cities might reopen beach access for swimming, surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking on Monday.

The opening is limited to crossing a beach to enter the water. People cannot sit on the beach, and piers, boardwalks, and parking lots will remained closed.

City officials said the decision to allow some activities was a response to the county’s announcement Friday that it would open all San Diego County coastal waterways to surfing, swimming, and paddle sports. However, the cities and the state parks department control the individual beaches, and some, including Carlsbad, Solana Beach, and Del Mar, chose to remain closed.

Coronado opened beaches last Monday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Like Imperial Beach, Coronado’s beaches are only open for limited use. People can surf, swim, walk, jog, paddleboard, and kayak. They cannot lay or sit on the sand, or gather in groups.
Two popular areas of the north side of Coronado’s beach will continue to be closed. They include Sunset Park and dog beach.

Solana Beach announced in an email Sunday night that it is working with other jurisdictions to reopen their beaches the week of May 4, which was the target date a majority of cities had discussed together before the county’s announcement.

The state guidelines also allow people to get outside for exercise and fresh air.
Lifeguards and police cadets were patrolling Oceanside beaches Monday afternoon, asking people to keep moving and making them aware of the rules.

Oceanside and Coronado were the last two cities to close their beaches fully, and elected officials in both towns were critical of the county’s health order, calling it “arbitrary” and “unreasonable.”
The current county health order is set to expire today, Thursday, though it could be updated or extended.

The county also issued a new public health order requiring all residents to wear face coverings when within six feet of a non-household member beginning May 1.