Officials Expect Million-Plus Beachgoers Over Weekend

SAN DIEGO -- Parking spots near San Diego beaches were nearly impossible to find Friday -- and major thoroughfares began to look like parking lots -- as people streamed to the coastline to celebrate Independence Day.

By 10 a.m., most parking lots around Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and La Jolla were full and traffic was extremely heavy, according to San Diego police.

Motorists were advised to use alternate routes around the beach areas and take public transportation if possible.

The crowded conditions were expected to last throughout the day and into the night for the fireworks displays.

The California Highway Patrol reported numerous crashes, fender-benders and spin-outs this morning near the beach areas.

Coronado police reported parking lots were full before 8 a.m. at Silver Strand State Beach, where drinking is allowed at the beach.

Police warned motorists that they can expect long delays and heavy traffic in Coronado due to activities at city parks and a fireworks show Friday night.

Several Mission Beach business owners had power outages, but they were bringing in generators to restore power, 10News reported.

More than 1 million people were expected to visit San Diego's beaches over the Fourth of July weekend, and extra police are patrolling to make sure revelers obey the law.

It is the first Independence Day that alcohol is banned at all of the city's beaches and parks.

"The alcohol ban has been successful," said San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum.

He said San Diego police hadn't made any arrests as of early Friday afternoon.

There were no major problems at the beach, and "rescue counts were down significantly," Lerum said.

That could be a result of foggy conditions at most city beaches, he said.

Lerum also said lifeguards were warning swimmers about low visibility from the fog.

Lifeguards and park rangers will issue $250 citations to beachgoers who violate the alcohol ban, said San Diego Police Department spokeswoman Monica Munoz.

Repeat offenders could face a fine of $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

City Attorney Michael Aguirre said he will go after anyone who tries to get around the law.

"We're asking everyone to please cooperate and not attempt to circumvent the clear requirements of law," Aguirre said.

"The city attorney's office has asked the Police Department to cite anyone who attempts to circumvent the beach ban by loading up alcohol on inner tubes or things of that sort, going out a short distance into the water and then attempting to consume alcohol there," he said.

In November, the City Council passed a one-year booze ban at all of San Diego's beaches in response to a Labor Day melee in Pacific Beach, where police in riot gear were called out.

The SDPD has assigned extra officers to patrol the beach areas throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to Munoz. Officers will be in uniform and in plainclothes and will patrol using cars, all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, horses and boats.

Police command posts will be set up at De Anza Cove, Fiesta Island, Belmont Park, Reed Street, Sail Bay, Ski Beach, La Jolla and Ocean Beach.

Munoz said officers will also be in the beach areas conducting DUI patrols.

Booze isn't the only thing prohibited at the beach this Fourth of July weekend. Smoking is not allowed on the sand, boardwalk and parks; furniture other than beach chairs is prohibited; and beachgoers can't fence off areas to reserve a spot.

Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.; tents may not be left on the sand overnight; and fire rings are off-limits after midnight. Fireworks are also prohibited.