A driveway and parking lot providing better access to La Janelle Beach Park and south Silver Strand Beach has reopened after being closed for nearly five years.

Ventura County Harbor Department Director Michael Tripp said the driveway off Ocean Drive to the parking lot was closed to vehicle access in August 2017 after an increased number of off-road vehicles were illegally driving on Silver Strand Beach, threatening the safety of children, families, and other users of the beach.

Under an agreement with the California State Lands Commission, the Harbor Department has managed the driveway and parking lot to La Janelle Beach Park since the 1970s. The Harbor Department also manages Silver Strand Beach on behalf of the County of Ventura.

Since the access road and parking lot was closed in August 2017, the Harbor Department and California State Lands Commission have worked together to find a solution to reopen the access point. The agreed upon solution was to install concrete bollards along the driveway and around the parking lot, which prevents vehicles from entering on the beach.

“Visitors and families shouldn’t have to feel threatened or be put in danger by off-road vehicle drivers who are illegally driving on the beach,” Director Tripp said. “Reopening the lot with the new bollards prevents vehicles on the beach and increases coastal access.”

In addition to the concrete bollards, the 21-space parking lot has been repaved and striped, and additional garbage cans have been placed for waste.

The driveway gate will be opened in the morning and closed at dusk.  Parking overnight will not be permitted.

Editor’s Note: this story was published on June 1, 2022.