Residents who visit Ventura County Harbor Department-managed beaches and parks will have improved access to recreational opportunities and be able to sit and lounge while practicing social distancing guidelines.

Harbor Department Director Mark Sandoval said the County is pleased to ease some of the soft closure restrictions –limiting beach and park access to physical activity – put in place in April 2020. The soft closure restrictions will be removed at Kiddie, Silver Strand, and Hollywood beaches and at the Harbor parks, including Peninsula and Harbor View.

Gatherings with members outside of a household are still prohibited by the Stay Well Ventura County order issued by Ventura County Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin, and sports play involving more than two individuals will continue to be prohibited. Restrooms at all beaches and parks will remain open. A number of the larger beach and park parking lots will be open as well.

“Our ability to provide increased access to our beaches and parks is a direct result of Ventura County residents’ ability to practice social distancing guidelines and flatten the curve,” Director Sandoval said. “We are appreciative of everyone’s patience and need them to continue to be safe.”

Director Sandoval said the move to remove soft closure restrictions is consistent with actions taken recently by neighboring beaches in the cities of Port Hueneme, Oxnard, Ventura, and beaches managed by the State of California in Ventura County. Law enforcement agencies will continue to patrol the beaches and educate the public on maintaining a safe distance from one another.

Editor’s Note: this story was published on May 27, 2020.