It's the question on the minds of many San Francisco residents as they readjust their lives to the rules of a shelter-in-place order.

Can I hop in my car to drive across town to go to say Crissy Field or Land's End for a jog, or maybe even leave the county entirely to get some fresh air at Stinson Beach or Half Moon Bay?

San Francisco Mayor London Breed addressed this question on March 16 when the order was first announced.

"Please limit outdoor exercise to near your home," the mayor said when a resident posed the question to her Facebook. "If there is no urgent need, you cannot take unnecessary trips in your car, or on public transport."

The order, that's similar to the one issued by Governor Gavin Newsom for the entire state on Thursday, says that residents should remain home except for essential activities such as to shop for food or pick up medicine. It is OK to go outside for walks or bike rides if you are not in a group and remain at least six feet away from others.

Many have taken this as an invitation to explore the Bay Area's beloved outdoor recreation spots. Amid warm, sunny weather, people flocked to the beaches and parks of the Northern California Coast on Saturday despite the order asking people to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

ALSO: Can you leave your county if a shelter-in-place order is in effect in the Bay Area?

Marin County Fire posted images of Stinson Beach packed with people and the West Marin town of Dillon Beach mired by gridlock traffic on Saturday.

"We understand the communities’ frustration with the LARGE amount of people traveling to the Coast today and NOT adhering to the Shelter Order," the fire department tweeted. "The influx of people is putting our vulnerable residents at risk. Please stay at home!"

The trails and beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore especially saw an influx of people over the weekend.

One day after scolding the public for packing its beaches and parks despite a statewide shelter-in-place order due to the coronavirus pandemic, Marin County on Sunday announced it was closing all federal, state and local parks.

The immediate closure affects over 18,000 acres in federal, state and local parks. They include Point Reyes National Seashore, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Muir Woods National Monument, and Point Bonita Lighthouse.

Santa Cruz County resident Adriana Goericke said her 69-year-old father lives in Pescadero and was impacted by the droves of people who descended on the beach town, 45 miles south of the city. The beach tourists bought most of the food from the one tiny market in town.

"My dad had to drive to Santa Cruz for supplies this morning since the local stores are bare," Goericke wrote in an email on Sunday. "He said Waddell Beach and Pescadero Beach were packed by 8 a.m. They are the two beaches without gates along the coast. The rangers have closed many of the beaches along the coast, but people are just parking on the sides of the freeway and in any parking lot that cannot be closed."

UCSF pediatrician Dr. Lisa Dana of Golden Gate Pediatrics was shocked to see photos from the weekend showing crowded beaches. "People aren't getting the message. Everybody just needs to stay home. Do not go to the Marina Green. Do not go to Crissy Field. Don't have picnics with other families. Don't play volleyball or soccer. That's not social distancing. Crowded beaches, crowded bathrooms, crowded parking lots, there's no way for social distance."

Dana also said that driving to these outdoor recreation spots is unwise because you run the risk of getting into a car accident and needing hospitalization during a time when hospitals are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients. "The ERs are stretched, and are in short supply of PPE [personal protective equipment]," said Dana.

East Bay Regional Parks spokesperson Dave Mason said the parks and trails are still open but officials are monitoring the use.

"Visitors need to do their part to fight the spread of COVID-19," Mason said. "Maintain social distancing, have no groups or gatherings, and pack in/pack out their trash. We’re in it together. We understand parks and trails are seen as essential to many, now more than ever. We want to keep parks and trails open, but need the public’s help in social distancing being smart during this time."

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Amy Graff is a digital editor at SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. SFGATE homepage editor Greg Keraghosian contributed to this story.