Some Orange County beaches are open as the region’s first big heat wave of the year hits Southern California.

While people visiting O.C. beaches will be able to get on the sand and in the water, with proper social distancing, the parking lots will remain closed. And officials are urging outsiders to stay away.

That might be hard: Most Los Angeles County beaches (as well as trails and recreation areas) remain closed. So Orange County’s shores might end up being a big draw.

The shutdown of beaches from Malibu to the Orange County border is serving as a reminder of privileges that the county’s 10 million residents may have taken for granted, of the friction created when those privileges disappear and of the unequal access citizens have to the ocean and other open spaces.



Public officials and those patrolling the L.A. County beaches say that compliance with the shutdown has been high, with only about half a dozen people cited in more than a month for breaking the county beach ban.

Zuma Beach

Closed: Lifeguard towers sit on an empty Zuma Beach in Malibu. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Corral Beach

Closed: Los Angeles County lifeguards ask a couple to leave Corral Beach in Malibu. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Venice Beach

Closed: Beachgoers enjoy the sun and sand along the boardwalk in Venice Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Closed: The setting sun casts a dark golden hue over Venice Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Manhattan Beach

Closed: A lone figure walks onto a closed Manhattan Beach Pier in Manhattan Beach. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)


Hermosa Beach

Closed: A visitor walks near the Strand, which has been closed in Hermosa Beach, and a statue of Dewey Weber. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Huntington Beach

Open: Beachgoers enjoying warm summer-like weather appear to be keeping their distance in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Open: Cailin Healy of Calabasas, center right, and a friend take a selfie together in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

San Clemente

Open: John and Jamie Garcia, of La Habra, celebrate Jamie’s birthday by relaxing in loungers at the Beachcomber Inn with a view of an empty beach and closed pier in San Clemente. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Open: A couple takes in a sunset together near the San Clemente Pier. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Hueneme Beach

Open: Sisters Emily, 7, and Hazel Enholm, 4, spent the day at Hueneme Beach, which had a soft opening as Ventura County modified its pandemic restrictions. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Open: People enjoy the surf and sand at Hueneme Beach in Ventura County. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)