A popular South Laguna beach remained closed Monday, Aug. 31, following high surf conditions over the weekend that swept sand across the parking lot.
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Over the weekend, hundreds hoping to find relief from the heat and get to the sand at Laguna Beach’s most accessible beach park, Aliso Beach, were turned away by the city’s Park Rangers.
The oceanside lot was covered by sand, preventing beachgoers from parking and walking just steps to the beach. The inland-side lot remained open, but use there was significantly lower.
“Over the duration of the summer, we’ve had so many south swells that have taken a lot of the sand down to Treasure Island,” said Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond, adding that the brunt of the shift came in June, which brought a massive south swell and red-flag conditions. “It created a situation where the water is close to the parking lot. We’ll likely keep it closed during the week and weekend because it will get really sandy.”
The beach is popular for families because it’s flat and doesn’t require going down the long staircases seen at many Laguna Beach spots, and there are bathrooms and food opportunities at the popular Lost Pier Cafe.
Laguna Beach Park Rangers continue to block the entrance this week as crews remove debris, rocks, vegetation and sand.
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The present condition is dangerous for the public, said Laguna Beach Lt. Jesse Schmidt.
“Because they’re predicting high surf again this weekend, it’s a dangerous location for families,” Schmidt said. “If you’re not a strong swimmer or strong water person, these are not the locations you should be visiting during bigger tides and higher surf days.”
Schmidt reminds the public that there have been “major incidents” in the city this summer due to the high surf. Three people have died since June.
“Any time there’s a high surf advisory, the public needs to exercise extreme caution,” he said. “Laguna Beach has some of the biggest surf breaks in the county, even in the state; that’s why we have some of these contests here, but that’s not conducive to swimming conditions and certainly not to novice swimmers.”
“If families are coming to Laguna, anywhere in Laguna, not just Aliso,” he said, “I would advise them to exercise due regard and safety over this Labor Day weekend.”
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