Supervisors Raise Fees at County Beaches, Parks

Visitors to Orange County beaches, parks and harbors will soon have to shell out more money for parking and admission.

The rate increases, which vary from $1 to $10 depending on location, take effect July 1. The Board of Supervisors approved the measure to help manage the county’s 26 parks and nine beaches and harbors.

Officials are raising the fees to continue to provide “well-maintained and safe regional recreational facilities, public services, and environmental programs for our 12 million annual visitors at the levels they demand, deserve and are accustomed to expect,” said Kevin Thomas, director of the Department of Harbors, Beaches and Parks.

Visitors will be charged $3 per vehicle for entry on weekdays and $5 on Saturdays and Sundays. Holiday visitors must pay $7 to $10 depending on the facility, officials said.

In addition, annual park day passes or beach parking decals will cost $55 each, or $80 for both. For visitors over 60 years old and handicapped people, the cost is $35 per pass or $50 for both.

Handicapped people who display a specially designed DMV handicap placard or decal are not required to purchase a beach parking decal for Aliso Beach Park, Capistrano Beach, Salt Creek Beach and two parking lots at Dana Point Harbor Puerto Place.

General admission to the Orange County Zoo will also increase to $2 for adults and children older than 3.

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County to increase price to play

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved fee hikes to use county recreational facilities effective July 1.

Parking or admission New fee Old fee Monday-Friday $3 $2 Saturday, Sunday 5 4 Holidays 7-10 5-7 Beaches (“Pay and display”) 1/hr. same

Annual pass--Regional parks Regular $55 $50 Senior/Handicapped 35 30

Beach parking annual decal Regular $55 $50 Senior 35 30

Beach parking decal/Annual park pass combo Regular $80 $75 Senior/Handicapped 50 40

Orange County Zoo admission $2* $1**

* 3 years and over ** 6 years and over

Source: County of Orange