With high temperatures this Labor Day weekend, Orange County beach cities prepare for big crowds

A skateboarder cruises south along the bike path towards Newport Pier on Friday.

By Lilly NguyenStaff Writer

Sept. 4, 2020 6:57 PM PT

With temperatures expected to reach highs of anywhere between 15 to 20 degrees or higher than average this Labor Day weekend, Orange County coastal cities are keeping beaches open but expanding staff to prepare for the expected surge of beachgoers.

Friday was the first day of a four-day heat wave, and forecasters at the National Weather Service predicted that the highs on Saturday and Sunday would become “dangerously hot.” An excessive heat warning will be in place across the region. Beaches will remain open in the cities of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach as COVID-19 cases in Orange County trend downward.

The Orange County Health Care Agency reported 313 new cases and 24 deaths on Friday, though the county remains within the thresholds of the new state guidelines to move into the next tier. The agency reported Orange County has a seven-day average of 5.6 daily cases for every 100,000 residents and a 6% testing positivity rate.

A total of 49,258 cases of the coronavirus and 1,042 deaths in the county have been reported. About 43,005 patients have recovered.

In Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, city beaches were closed for the Fourth of July weekend.

People wait in line for a boat tour of Newport Harbor on Friday.

Both Newport Beach and Huntington Beach had initially planned to remain open in July until Newport officials decided to close beaches after two lifeguards tested positive for COVID-19. About 30 lifeguards were in quarantine as a result, said spokesman John Pope. Huntington Beach soon followed suit with closures.

“Fortunately, our lifeguard team is now back at full staff and has been for some time,” Pope said. “In alignment with the county of Orange and our neighboring beach communities, our beaches will be open this weekend, as we encourage visitors and residents to enjoy Newport Beach safely and responsibly.”

The city said that it would have its full summer staff on duty this weekend, including some additional on-call staff in the event that crowds are bigger than anticipated. Newport Beach officials also said that the city’s police department would also be monitoring for violations of city code at the beaches. No amenities will be closed.

Pope said that crowds tend to range anywhere from 70,000 to 90,000 throughout a typical Labor Day weekend and that the city expects numbers to be toward the higher end of that range.

A man and woman wear face masks as they walk south along the bike path towards Newport Pier on Friday.

In Huntington Beach, the city said it expects more visitors than normal and that both lifeguards and paramedics would be on duty at beaches this weekend.

City spokesman Eric Blaska said the community emergency response team of the city’s fire department set up booths on July 25 in the downtown area and near the beach to provide masks to those without them or to those who would like one.

“The heat wave is coming, and we understand that both residents and visitors want to get outside to enjoy the fresh air, get in the water to cool off and actively recreate on our beautiful beaches,” said Blaska, who is also a firefighter paramedic. “We do ask beachgoers to be safe this weekend, and it starts with them.”

“Speak to a lifeguard prior to entering the water,” Blaska advises. “The lifeguard will tell you the safest place to enter to avoid unsafe waters, stay self-aware of their swimming capabilities and don’t overexert themselves, stay hydrated, apply sunscreen and practice social distancing.”

A woman folds up her tent as beachgoers hang out Friday in Newport Beach.

Laguna Beach city officials advised residents ahead of the holiday weekend to mind physical distancing and to wear face masks and said that city “mask advisors” will be handing out free masks this weekend throughout the city.

“We are prepared to provide the public with a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend,” said Shohreh Dupuis, assistant city manager.

Dupuis said that both the marine safety and police department will be at full holiday staffing levels and will address crowds and social distancing. Marine safety officers will be monitoring beach activity and will also have special assignments such as tide pool educators. Lifeguard rovers will be at potential hot spots of activity such as Treasure Island, Victoria or Crescent Bay beaches.

Beaches will be operating in all three cities at typical hours.