Coastal residents in San Mateo County are making it clear that they are not welcoming beach visitors this July 4 weekend. Between Friday and Monday morning, they have the power of the law behind them.
There are various exceptions between Sonoma County and Monterey, but in San Mateo County, the beaches are strictly closed at Half Moon Bay and Pacifica.
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepaperm told KCBS Radio that these measures are being taken to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Parking lots and restrooms will be closed and parking is banned on Highway 1.
“No one should be on our beaches on the coast, and that’s critical,” he said.
Another major gathering spot for Fourth of July weekend that is off limits to non-locals on Saturday is Grizzly Peak Boulevard in the hills of Oakland and Berkeley. While it is usually a great spot to watch fireworks shows, there are no sanctioned shows this year.
Grizzly Peak will be closed to bikes, cars and pedestrians for 24 hours starting on July 4 at 5:00 a.m.
Simone lives in the neighborhood, and she told KCBS Radio she thinks it's a good idea because the area is usually sopped in fog by the time the fireworks start and that people celebrating there isn't "exactly the best situation."
"I suspect it's because of fire," she said. "The risk is high, and honestly, we see people bunched up over here all the time even now and not really respecting social distancing or anything."
A deadly fire roared through those hills in August of 2017 by arson, blazing through 20 acres.