San Diego Beaches May Soon Be Closed At Night

San Diego officials want to close nearly a dozen beaches and parking areas at night to help reduce crime and other problems.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the coastal parks and parking lots that span from La Jolla to Ocean Beach would be physically closed by installing new security gates or posted with signed announcing overnight closures.

City officials believe the new restrictions would help police who have been dealing with increased gang activity, late-night parties, illegal bonfires, and unauthorized camping.

To expand the number of parks and parking lots with overnight restrictions, the city will need approval from the California Coastal Commission.

The Union-Tribune reports that the commission is typically reluctant to support restrictions that will limit the public's access to coastal areas.

Residents and environmentalists have also been skeptical of the proposed closures.

But Marcella Bothwell, chairperson of the city's Park and Recreation Board and head of the Pacific Beach Town Council, said the new restrictions would only limit parking and not access to the beach.

“You can still walk on the beach — you just can’t park,” she told the Union-Tribune. “So it won’t affect those who persevere.”

Locations that would get new security gates are:

• Torrey Pines City Park and Gilderport
• Belmont Park
• Sunset Cliffs Natural Park/Ladera Street Parking Lot
• East Bonita Cove
• Ventura Cove
• Bahia Point

Locations that would get signs announcing parking is prohibited at night are:

• Ocean Beach Dog Beach
• Santa Monica Avenue Parking Lot
• Newport Avenue and Ocean Beach Pier Parking Lot
• Sunset Cliffs Linear Park and Windansea