In Addition to the closure of all beach parking lots, the City Of Malibu is going to pu parking rsstrictions on PCH and other streets in Malibu. Here is the official staement:

The City of Malibu, in cooperation with Caltrans, will post 'No Parking' signs along sections of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and on certain City streets to support restrictions on beach and trail access, and to prevent violation of the Los Angeles County Public Health Officer’s order that closed all beaches from Malibu through the South Bay effective March 27 to April 19.

The areas where parking will be prohibited are:
• Malibu Bluffs Park parking lot
• Las Flores Creek Park and parking lots on Las Flores Cyn Rd and Rambla Pacifico
• Trancas Cyn Park parking lot
• South side of PCH along Zuma Beach
• South side of PCH near Corral Cyn Rd (end of Malibu Rd to Corral Cyn Rd)
• South side of PCH at Las Tunas Beach
• South side of PCH at Paradise Cove (Sea Lane Dr to Paradise Cove Rd)
• North side of PCH near Winding Way (between East Winding Way and West Winding Way)
• South side of PCH between Dan Blocker Beach parking lot and Latigo Shore Dr
• South side of Westward Beach Rd
• Cliffiside Dr near the Nature Preserve Trail


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

UPDATED - LA Beaches & Harbors made this statement:

What does it mean when beaches are closed?

NO swimming
NO surfing
NO running
NO picnics
NO bicycling
NO volleyball


The LACoFD Lifeguard Division made this statement:

"Effective immediately, all Los Angeles County Beaches will be closed until at least April, 19th by the Order of the Public Health Officer.

The Los Angeles County Fire Departmental Lifeguard Division will continue to patrol the beaches to advise unknowing patrons of this new closure. All public piers, public beach parking lots, beach bike paths, and beach access points will be closed to reduce beach and bike path crowding and increase social distancing. We urge the public to #stayhome and practice #socialdistancing when conducting essential activities. Do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19. We’re all in this together. Stay home to save lives."

When asked if surfing was still allowed, they say to read their comment about clarification on the term beach, which is:

17.12.030 - Beach.
"Beach" means a public beach or shoreline area, inclusive of all appurtenant areas such as, by way of illustration and not by limitation, beach facilities, bicycle paths, promenades, service and emergency roads, parking lots, pedestrian stairways and access-ways, landscaping, slopes, jetties, creek beds, revetments, drains, and all navigable waters within one thousand feet from the public beach or shoreline area, bordering the Pacific Ocean owned, controlled, or managed by the County, in incorporated or unincorporated territory.
(Ord. 2012-0005 § 15, 2012: Ord. 9767

So it appears they are stating, without directly stating it, is that you are not allowed to surf in LA County till at least April 15th.

We will keep up on this as it develops.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

“The crowds we saw at our beaches last weekend were unacceptable,” Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a written statement. “In order to save lives, beaches in LA County will be temporarily closed.”

The order goes into effect “immediately” and runs through April 19, 2020, according to the L.A. County Department of public health.

Officials said beaches will reopen when public health officials deem it safe.

“We cannot risk another sunny weekend with crowds at the beach spreading this virus,” Hahn said.

In less than a week, confirmed COVID-19 cases in L.A. County have more than tripled, climbing from 409 to 1,465 as of Friday, according to Barbara Ferrer, the director the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

“I ask that you help us by not going to out beaches and not going on our hiking trails at least for the next few weeks while we, again, try desperately to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Ferrer told residents in a news conference Thursday.

The public health order also applies to piers, promenades and beach bike paths and bathrooms across the county, officials said.

LACoFD Lifeguard Division add:
The Los Angeles County Lifeguards will continue to patrol the beaches to advise unknowing patrons of this new closure. All public piers, public beach parking lots, beach bike paths, and beach access points will also be closed to reduce beach and bike path crowding. We urge the public to stay home and practice social distancing when conducting essential activities. Do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19. We’re all in this together.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

Here's an update to the Santa Monica Can Fine You $100 for NOT Social Distancing report that was posted a few days ago:

The Santa Monica Police made this statement, "We have received a few calls asking if SMPD personnel are ticketing for exercising outside or violating the Safer At Home orders. This is FALSE. Officers continue their regular patrols & encourage everyone to take social distancing and Stay At Home requirements seriously."

"SMPD officers, while legally authorized to issues citations, they are not doing so."

@LAPDHQ made this statement via their twitter: "We’ve heard the rumors, so let’s put an end to them. No, the LAPD is not stopping or ticketing people for exercising outdoors. Spreading false rumors during this time does no good."



For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

A statement from Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti on the closure of the Venice Pier:



For more of our local coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

Malibu City Website just released this update:

The #Malibu Pier, including shops and restaurants on it, and the parking lot, will be closed to the public effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020 in order to prevent crowding amidst the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to help slow the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable groups. “Crowding on beaches and trails or anywhere right now is not acceptable, it does not help us to slow the spread of coronavirus and it puts seniors and vulnerable groups at risk,” Mayor Karen Farrer. “I know how difficult it is have to stay home, and getting outdoors, getting exercise and enjoying nature are an important part of physical and mental wellness. But we all must come together and practice social distancing at all times to overcome this challenge.” Malibu City Manager Reva Feldman coordinated with California State Parks to have the Malibu Pier, which is a State Parks facility, closed until further notice after the Pier and Malibu area beaches and trails were crowded with visitors during the weekend of March 21.

The Governor's stay at home order requires all people statewide to stay home except for essential business, and to practice social distancing while outdoors or in essential stores or businesses that remain open. Seniors and those with underlying health conditions must stay home.

The City Manager also coordinated with State and County elected officials to close Malibu area beach parking lots. On March 24, state official responded to crowding on beaches and trails and on March 24, California State Parks closed most of its park parking lots, although many parks and trails remain open, as long as people practice social distancing. The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) closed all of its trails and parks on March 24.

For more information about the City of Malibu’s coronavirus response, visit www.MalibuCity.org/coronavirus .

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

While getting surf clips for our Instagram Story, the city decided to close the Venice Pier.

More about the closure as it develops.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

The City of Santa Monica updated the Stay at Home Orders to include ticketing people who are not following them:
City officers are authorized to issue administrative citations to enforce emergency orders issued to date as follows:

Eighth Supplement to the Executive Order (Stay at Home / Safer at Home Orders) - for individuals: $100 for first violation, $250 for second violation within one year, $500 for third or subsequent violations within one year; for violations by businesses: $500 for first violation, $750 for second violation within one year, $1000 for third or subsequent violations within one year

“Our first priority is to remind and educate the public when they are not following our local orders,” said City Manager Rick Cole. “However, it’s important for people to know that our local orders include the ability to fine individuals and businesses that do not abide voluntarily.”

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

We all knew it was going to happen, the city closed all the beach parking lots this afternoon.

It was announced on Sunday:

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said during his lived-streamed remote news conference on Sunday that in consultation with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the city is closing beach parking lots and all organized group sports, saying that the six-feet rule is in place to save lives.

He reminded people to keep practicing social distancing, to stand at least six feet away from others. It's a technique, he said, that will not only keep you safe but it will protect your love ones and others as well. He also told people not to take risks with their health.

LA Beaches & Harbors made this statement:

The beaches constitute miles of unfenced, open space along LA County’s coast. We closed the parking lots & volleyball courts to discourage large groups of people from congregating on beaches at this time.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

Because of all the crowds at almost every park this past weekend, Los Angeles County just released this update regarding hiking:

"Hiking trails in LA County will be closed. You may walk/run in your neighborhood for fresh air and exercise. Stay *at least* 6 feet away from others when you leave home."

No update on the beaches from Los Angeles County

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

Advisory for all Los Angeles County beaches in effect until Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m.

Because of the recent rainfall, Los Angeles County Health Officer, Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, is cautioning residents who are planning to visit Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers. Bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to contaminate ocean waters at and around these outlets after a rainfall. Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill.

Discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers only comprise a small portion of the beach; therefore, anybody who wants to go to other areas at the beach can still enjoy their beach outing.

Areas of the beach apart from discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers are exempted from this advisory. This advisory will be in effect until at least Monday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662. Information is also available online at: PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach

The average water temps as of March 23rd.

Malibu City Website just released this update:

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Dept will be closing beach parking lots in Malibu today in order to prevent crowding and to allow for social distancing to help slow the spread of coronavirus and protect vulnerable groups.

Over the weekend, large numbers of people seeking to enjoy outdoor areas were crowding the beaches, trails and Malibu Pier.

The beach lots that will be closed effective immediately include:
Topanga
Surfrider
Corral Canyon
Point Dume
Zuma
El Matador
La Piedra
Nicolas Canyon
Leo Carrillo

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

The two photos below from Jennifer Denicola and Andy Lyon have been making the rounds on social media, they show how crowded Malibu was on Saturday.



Which is probably why the Malibu City Website just released this update:

County updated Safer at Home Order. Please follow County orders: stay home to slow the spread of Coronavirus & protect vulnerable groups. Contact City Hall if you need help. Public must social distance while on beaches & trails.

The City is receiving reports of large numbers of people enjoying the outdoor resources in the Malibu area such as trails and beaches (as they are elsewhere in the County). The County order requires that social distancing (6 feet between people) be practiced at all times while outdoors, including in the grocery store, on the beach or on the trails.

The City does not own or operate the County beaches, California State Parks, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority trails and parks, or the State-owned Malibu Pier and Point Dume Nature Preserve, or National Park Service owned areas including Solstice Canyon. . The City shares the concerns about the need to limit visitors and crowds. The City is working with State and County elected officials and urging them to address the issue of people not abiding by social distancing guidelines while using outdoor spaces and stay at home orders.  

The City of Malibu urges all residents to follow the County Order and stay home in order to slow the spread of Coronavirus and protect vulnerable groups. Vulnerable groups, including seniors and people with underlying health conditions must stay home. The County Order does not prohibit people from outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, shopping at essential businesses, so long as all persons practice the County’s guidelines on social distancing and handwashing.  

The public may report violations of the County order to the County Public Health Officer: (888) 700-9995 (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). Email: Ehmail@ph.lacounty.gov.


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

Santa Monica has just shut down all beach parking lots indefinitely. If you saw our Instagram Story today, we were there as they put the locks on the Ocean Park lot. According to the Santa Monica Police officer we spoke to, the beach is not closed, just the parking lots. The parking lots at Venice and Malibu are still open.

This happened at 12:00PM. A few hours later the city released this press notice:

The City of Santa Monica is taking additional measures to protect the health and safety of the Santa Monica community and our neighbors by closing the beach parking lots. This comes after one-and-a-half days of large numbers of beachgoers coming to the coastline amidst the Safer at Home statewide measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  These measures are being taken in accordance with State and local health directives that prohibit gatherings and call for social distancing of non-household members.  

All residents and visitors are advised to avoid the beach, beach bike path, and Palisades Park today and in the days to come to protect themselves and others. As a beach city we know the draw to be outside and in nature is more powerful than ever, but to truly have an impact in our region and state, we must all remain at home and six feet from others when out for essential trips only.  

“Today is not the day to go to the beach. We know that it’s difficult to stay at home when the weather is so nice and being close to the beach is one of the primary reasons why we love to call Santa Monica home,” said City Manager Rick Cole. “Yet this is a time when we must take the guidelines from our health officials to heart. We urge our residents to avoid any public spaces where social distancing is a challenge.”

Parking lots at the beach are closed, effective immediately. Residents of Santa Monica who live in the area of the beach and who hold residential parking permits for the relevant lots will be permitted to park, as will essential personnel consistent with the Governor's Stay at Home and the County Department of Public Health's Safer at Home orders.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, CLICK HERE

New S swell slowly builds over weekend; NW swell-mix joins next week

Saturday, March 21st: 2’+ exposed breaks, 3’+ sets at summer/combo standouts. Light morning wind and clean conditions.
New SSW/S swell (200-180) slowly creeps in as small blend of leftover S and NW swells linger. Most breaks across Southern California are below waist high. Summer and combo focal points occasionally go waist-stomach high. Wind is light in the morning, light to moderate SW to W flow developing for the afternoon 7-10kts.

Sunday, March 22nd: 2-3’+ good breaks, 4’+ sets at summer/combo standouts. Light morning wind and clean conditions.
SSW/S swell (200-180) builds in the morning as a fresh pulse of shorter-period westerly swell-mix is due to move in from a nearby storm, just off the US West Coast. We’ll be looking for more frequent waist-chest high surf rising up through the morning, best exposures see shoulder high to possibly even head high sets through the afternoon hours — largest late in the day. Wind is light offshore in the morning, light to moderate Westerly flow developing for the afternoon.

Waterwomen, circle up for World Water Day! Salted Spirit Podcast is holding a virtual workshop this Sunday morning.

JOIN ME as I temporarily shift my "Wellness for Waterwomen" workshop series to a virtual meeting room, so we can see each other's faces while navigating these next few weeks together with a heaping dose of positivity, inspiration and courage. The objective of these workshops is to come together as a community to encourage healthy habits for our emotional well being, our physical bodies and our salty spirits!

Requirement: Bring your favorite cozy beverage and be ready to share what’s in your cup!

Learn From My Guest Speaker, Artist & Surfer Kristina Young from Jersey!
“My art has been a release, a safe place, a sanctuary. A place of peace in my mind as well as my surroundings. It is moved by the ocean because the ocean forced me to grow, forced me to conquer my fears. And in the long run, the ocean forced me to be in the moment, because that’s what she asks of all of us, when we are consumed by her.”

Steep That Artist in You: We are all artists in some capacity. Maybe you feel insecure because you can only draw stick people (duh, me too!). But have you really given yourself the chance to embrace your creativity? If you’re jonesing to learn a new language like Portuguese, you’re not going to be fluent after one class, right? It takes patience, dedication and practice. Listen to Kristina’s journey, she wasn't an overnight success ladies, so let’s get inspired as waterwomen together and tap into that unknown creativity!

Engage In A Vibrant Female Community: Look, it’s a big world out there and we’re all in some sort of social isolation due to COVID-19, so most of us are trying to figure out a routine, combat some loneliness and just feel ‘normal.’ Join a community of like-minded driven women looking to navigate this new unfamiliar territory together.

What this isn’t: A cheesy or weird networking event, or any kind of sales pitch.

Details:

Wellness For Waterwomen Virtual (for now) Workshop Series

When: Sunday March 22nd, 9am - 10am PST

Where: Zoom link provided

Why: Cuz we’re all socially isolated and we need to hang and create goodness

Weather Report: Sending you sunny vibes from Los Angeles

RSVP HERE

S swell eases into the weekend, new swell-mix for next week.

Friday, March 20th: 2-3’+ good breaks, 4’+ sets at summer/combo standouts. E/SE morning wind.
S swell (190-175) fades further through the day, small NW swell-mix blending in. Good summer and combo breaks are waist-stomach high with occasional sets to chest high for select breaks that focus the combo. E/SE wind in the morning goes light S/SW for the afternoon. Conditions remain semi to mostly clean.

Saturday, March 21st: 2-3′ good breaks, 3’+ sets at summer/combo standouts. E/SE morning wind.
Small blend of leftover S and NW swells. Most breaks across Southern California are below waist high. Summer and combo focal points occasionally go waist-stomach high. Wind is light offshore in the morning, light to moderate Westerly flow developing for the afternoon.

The average water temps as of March 16th.

The Southern Hemisphere provides a fun-size, long-period south swell for the West Coast through midweek -- showing best through Southern California. That swell is more selective north of Point Conception, but with some modest northwest swell mixing in and favorable morning conditions, there's still plenty of surf out there.

Wednesday, March 18th: 3-4’+ good breaks, 4-6′ sets at summer standouts. Light offshore wind early.
Long-period S swell (190-175) tops out/holds as modest NW swell-mix blends in. Good summer and combo breaks are waist-shoulder high with occasional sets to head high for select regions. Light offshore wind prevails for the early morning, wind trending back onshore by the mid-morning. Elevated westerly winds look likely for the afternoon.

Thursday, March 19th: 3-4′ good breaks, 4-5′ sets at summer/combo standouts. Variable winds and rain.
S swell (190-175) eases through the day. There will be more short-period NW swell-mix early, but it will drop quickly from an overnight peak. Good summer and combo breaks are waist-chest high with occasional sets to chest-head high for select breaks that focus the combo. Overnight onshore flow eases in the early morning — wind going variable to light offshore for parts of LA. Light+ Southerly flow prevails for the afternoon.