In an unprecedented joint statement, authorities from beach communities located around Monterey Bay today announced the intended closure of all beaches over the Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 5, through Monday, September 7, 2020. Subject to input and potential ratification by each of the jurisdictions’ elected leaders, beach access would be prohibited during the anticipated busy holiday weekend.

In a joint statement, the city managers of Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Sand City, Capitola and Santa Cruz, the State Parks District Superintendent and the county administrative officer for Santa Cruz County said, “We are deeply concerned about public safety and the impacts the coronavirus has sustained in our communities. We know that we must take action this Labor Day holiday to protect our residents, and help our communities get past the pandemic-caused shelter in place so we can all get back to work, school and a more normal way of life. The more stringent measures we take now will reduce more COVID-19 positive cases and hasten our economic recovery, thus relieving devastating stress, worry and heartache for so many.”

The planned closures, which only allow for access to the ocean, include the following beaches in order from Santa Crus to Carmel: the beach at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (including Main and Cowell Beach), Seacliff State Beach, Capitola Beach, Manresa Main State Beach, Sunset State Beach, Marina State Beach, Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Monterey State Beach (includes beach sections in Seaside and Sand City), Del Monte Beach, San Carlos Beach, McAbee Beach, Lovers Point Beach and Park, Asilomar State Beach, Carmel Beach, Carmel River State Beach and Monastery Beach.

All agencies including State Parks, will be assigning teams to help manage the beach closures. The cities also require face coverings in public and enforce social distancing guidelines pursuant to local, state and federal public health orders.

Please refer to each individual State Parks, city or county website for more information about specific beach closure dates and times.