SANTA CRUZ — Citing the need to thin out a crowded West Cliff Drive and other popular destinations in the midst of the infectious coronavirus pandemic, the City of Santa Cruz and State Parks have announced the closure of several local parking areas as a safety precaution.

The closures were effective across numerous state-owned properties Thursday and go into place Saturday for the city. Both orders come after community members and out-of-town visitors, while otherwise ordered to shelter in place for the COVID-19 emergency, flocked to Santa Cruz County for weekend excursions during pleasant weather.

The city, turning its attention on the Westside, initially will shutter larger parking lots with lockable gates. City spokesman Ralph Dimarucut, however, said additional parking restrictions also may be put in place to limit available spaces along West Cliff Drive in the future. Also, the city could look to fully closing the parks themselves, including trails, bathrooms and other amenities as needed, officials said.

The large crowds last weekend “made it impossible for the public to adhere to the state and county shelter-in-place orders and implement appropriate” 6-foot social distancing practices, according to a city press release.

Vice Mayor Donna Meyers, who lives within walking distance of West Cliff Drive, said not only have people been too close on the West Cliff path, but they are getting in and out of their vehicles in close proximity.

“People are using West Cliff a lot right now. We’re also getting visitors, I think, coming over the hill and from other places, probably,” Meyers said by phone. “It’s a 5-mile walking path along the ocean, so it’s very attractive, obviously.”

Meyers said the parking lot closures were not designed as an invitation for West Cliff visitors to crowd into nearby limited street parking, instead. Related Articles SJSU football could be back next month as Mountain West eyes fall season

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“The larger message we’d like to get out to people is about the density of use that we’re seeing on West Cliff right now,” Meyers said. “Many council members have received communication about this. All of our parks are still open right now, so one thing for people to think about is, is there another place I can go and enjoy the same amount of exercise, without using West Cliff.”

Asked if the parking lot closures might be a precursor to West Cliff Drive’s eventual full closure to vehicle traffic due to coronavirus concerns, Meyers said it was “way too early” to decide such a complicated issue. “Quite a lot of planning and community conversation” would be needed, plus state Coastal Commission permit approval, she said.

“The City of Santa Cruz offers many outdoor exercise locations to maintain health and well-being in compliance with social distancing guidelines,” Parks and Recreation Director Tony Elliot was quoted in the release. “Please consider using the rest of our 1,700 acres of parkland across beaches, parks, and open space for walking, jogging and other activities, but not to congregate.”

CLOSED LOTS

State parking lots

• Manresa State Beach

• Natural Bridges State Beach

• New Brighton State Beach

• Seacliff State Beach

• Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

• Castle Rock State Park

• Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Santa Cruz parking lots

• Light House Point

• Steamer Lane

• Cowell Beach

• Lighthouse Field

• Natural Bridges State Park

* Additional parking restrictions may also be in place limiting available spaces along West Cliff Drive.

Source: City of Santa Cruz, California State Parks.