NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020: Beach-goers enjoy a partially-sunny, warm day on the beach near the pier in Newport Beach, CA, on April 28, 2020. Newport Beach City Council members are holding a special meeting to discuss closing the city's beaches for the next few weekends following Gov. Gavin Newsom's criticism of the large crowds and lack of social distancing.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Photos: Newport Beach to keep beaches open

The Newport Beach City Council rejected a measure that would have closed its beaches for three consecutive weekends in May.

The scene at Newport Beach on April 28. The Newport Beach City Council rejected a measure that would have closed its beaches for three consecutive weekends in May. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020: A statue of fallen Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson stands as beach-goers ride bikes down the sidewalk past mostly closed businesses on a partially-sunny, warm day near the pier in Newport Beach, CA, on April 28, 2020. Newport Beach City Council members hold a special meeting to discuss closing the city's beaches for the next few weekends following Gov. Gavin Newsom's criticism of the large crowds and lack of social distancing.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Bicyclists ride past mostly closed businesses on April 28. Any visitors to the city’s beaches will see an increased presence of police officers and lifeguards, and the council supported citing anyone who doesn’t follow the social distancing order. ( Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020: Rusty Renk, center, holding an American flag, joins community members listening to a Newport Beach City Council special meeting where they discussed closing the city's beaches for the next few weekends following Gov. Gavin Newsom's criticism of the large crowds and lack of social distancing in Newport Beach, CA, on April 28, 2020. The council is considering closing the beaches for three consecutive weekends: May 2 and 3, May 9 and 10, and May 16 and 17; or alternatively, closing roadways leading to popular beach spots at the Peninsula and Corona del Mar. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Rusty Renk, standing, was among those at a special meeting by the Newport Beach City Council. The council advised city staff to maintain beach access with additional enforcement of social distancing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020: An aerial view of beach-goers enjoying a partially-sunny, warm day on the beach near the pier in Newport Beach, CA, on April 28, 2020. Newport Beach City Council members are holding a special meeting to discuss closing the city's beaches for the next few weekends following Gov. Gavin Newsom's criticism of the large crowds and lack of social distancing.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The council action followed a busy weekend in Newport Beach as thousands of visitors sought to escape the Southern California heat wave. Pictured is an aerial view April 28. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020: Beach-goers cross the closed bike path to get to the beach on a partially-sunny, warm day on the beach near the pier in Newport Beach, CA, on April 28, 2020. Newport Beach City Council members are holding a special meeting to discuss closing the city's beaches for the next few weekends following Gov. Gavin Newsom's criticism of the large crowds and lack of social distancing.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Some areas were closed. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The city said in its news release that it would “continue to communicate the critical importance of responsible social distancing and adherence to the governor’s ‘stay at home’ order during the upcoming weekends.” (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020: Protesters who want beaches and business restrictions lifted react to a motorist honking with support outside the Newport Beach City Council special meeting to discuss closing the city's beaches for the next few weekends following Gov. Gavin Newsom's criticism of the large crowds and lack of social distancing in Newport Beach, CA, on April 28, 2020. The council is considering closing the beaches for three consecutive weekends: May 2 and 3, May 9 and 10, and May 16 and 17; or alternatively, closing roadways leading to popular beach spots at the Peninsula and Corona del Mar. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Outside the council meeting, opponents of beach and business restrictions made their presence known.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020: A motorist makes a statement on their car as pedestrians walk past a mannequin wearing a protective mask in a store window display near the pier in Newport Beach, CA, on April 28, 2020. Newport Beach City Council members hold a special meeting to discuss closing the city's beaches for the next few weekends following Gov. Gavin Newsom's criticism of the large crowds and lack of social distancing.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Other visitors expressed their views in other ways. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Another view of the beach April 28. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020: A statue of fallen Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson stands at left as a person wearing a protective mask walks near beach-goers walking down the sidewalk past mostly closed businesses on a partially-sunny, warm day near the pier in Newport Beach, CA, on April 28, 2020. Newport Beach City Council members hold a special meeting to discuss closing the city's beaches for the next few weekends following Gov. Gavin Newsom's criticism of the large crowds and lack of social distancing.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors walk past a statue of fallen Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson on April 28. San Clemente, which also saw its beaches filled with visitors over the weekend, deferred taking action on a similar bid to close its beaches. ( Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)