CoViD-19: City of San Diego Furthers Beach, Park, and Trail Closures

Mission Trails Regional Park is on of many closed due to COVID-19 (photo from January 2020)

I have directed the @CityofSanDiego to move forward with closing all City-owned parks, beaches and trails. There were far too many ignoring physical distancing rules this weekend. The actions of a few can cost the lives of many. Please stay at home, San Diego.

— Kevin Faulconer (@Kevin_Faulconer) March 23, 2020

"This weekend, in response to numerous reports of gatherings at parks and beaches, gatherings both large and small, we closed down City owned parkings lots around beaches, parks, and trails. Now I am directing City of San Diego staff to move forward with the closure of all parks, beaches, boardwalks, bays, city lakes, and trails to the public, until further notice in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
I wanna be clear, we are still encouraging people to go outdoors. But do outdoors close to home. It's time to look out for each other." -Mayor Faulconer

The City's site for COVID-19 can be found here, though it does not have the present update. More cities within the County of San Diego and the County itself will likely issue similar orders, so stay tuned. California State Parks have a closure and resource page, though the Governor has closed many state parks and beaches (KPBS), too.
More after the jump.

Great News For Seals! California Coastal Commission Unanimously Approves Permit Extensions

Today the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to approve 10 year extensions on two permits which allow for the beach at Children's Pool to close beach access during pupping season (December-May) and for a guidance rope with signs about the Marine Mammal Protection Act during the remaining months of the year. I was there to join supporters like the Seal Conservancy and the Sierra Club. The meeting went from 9am until about 7pm, with numerous items on the agenda, though the La Jolla Seals, with the biggest group of supporters and opposition, was the last issue heard for the day. It was especially satisfying because a woman screamed in my face that if I supported the seals, I was against veterans, and I'm a traitor and I should leave the country. Uh, wow.  I didn't get to stay for the duration of the meeting, it was great to hear the process work. At the end of the night, it was pretty hopeful as Commission Chair Steve Padilla closed the night implying that monitoring was important, that enforcement is a challenge, and if harassment continues, the Commission might need to step in and do more, not less, to protect these beautiful animals.

Lots of older pics after the jump.