California State Parks Closes San Onofre State Beach

April 2020

As the State of California continues to protect all Californians from the COVID-19 pandemic disease, State Parks today announced the temporary full closure of San Onofre State Beach effective sunset today, April 7, 2020. One of California’s most popular beaches and home to “Trestles Beach,” a world class surfing site, visitation to San Onofre State Beach has seen a recent visitation surge due to the closure of other beaches and parks along California’s coast.

In fact, the beach located in San Diego County even had visitors coming from as far as Ventura County. This kind of destination travel is highly discouraged during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these difficult times, protecting individuals, families, communities and those who take care of parks from the exposure to COVID-19 is critical and lifesaving. Now is not the time for road trips to a destination parks or beaches.

Previously, State Parks closed vehicular access at this popular beach to decrease visitation surges but that did not deter many surfers from walking or biking several miles to access the various surf breaks found at San Onofre. Surfers looking for that perfect wave ended up congregating too closely for safe, physical distancing.

As a result, the department was forced to take further temporary safety measures by completely closing down the beach and all recreational facilities to everyone including locals, pedestrians, bicyclists, and boat traffic until further notice. Coastal and inland portions of the park are also closed, including parking lots, and effective Tuesday night, street parking on Christianitos Road and El Camino Real.

Although State Parks’ mission is to keep Californians outdoors and active, equally important is to keep them safe. For the latest updates and information on how Californians can help “Flatten the COVID-19 Curve at Parks”, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.

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