Parking Crunch in Huntington Beach

The 70,000 beachgoers expected to descend on Huntington Beach for the Fourth of July may find a shortage of one of the city’s most precious commodities: parking spots.

Nearly half of the 2,400 spots in the municipal parking lots near the city pier have been sealed off to make way for a $16-million upgrade to the oceanfront lot, the first major improvement to the parking facility in 38 years.

And, as if that weren’t bad enough, Pacific Coast Highway will be closed between Beach Boulevard and Goldenwest Street from 5:30 a.m. to about 2 p.m. for the annual Independence Day parade. It marks the first time in the 97-year history of the parade that Pacific Coast Highway will be closed, said Lt. Chuck Thomas, a police spokesman.

The parade route runs south from the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and 8th Street and then swings inland at Main Street. City officials predict 250,000 spectators will turn out.

Another 70,000 people are expected to visit the 8 1/2-mile stretch of city and state beach on Wednesday, at a time when 1,100 of the marked parking spots will be out of service.

“It will cause some inconvenience,” city spokesman Richard Barnard said. “But no matter when we would’ve done it, it would’ve impacted somebody. . . . A few months of inconvenience for years of enjoyment and use is worth it.”

Motorists are urged to park in structures along Main and Orange streets. Underground public parking is also available at Pierside Pavilion, at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway.

The $6.6-million upgrade to the beachfront parking will include an expanded bike trail, a pedestrian bridge across Pacific Coast Highway, upgraded concession stands, and new restrooms and shower stalls. The project is expected to be completed by May, Barnard said.

Funding comes from the $4-million settlement from a 1990 oil spill, federal grants, and parking and concession stand revenues.