SAN DIEGO -- The city of San Diego is denying a group's request to have a large party with alcohol this Saturday on the bay in Crown Point.

City officials said the permit the group needs is rarely granted during the summer because of concerns over public access to the beach, but there are exceptions and those exceptions are now in the hands of a judge.

The Over-The-Line Tournament and the Rock 'N' Roll Marathon are some of the city's most popular events, and they are also among the only events that are able to get around a moratorium on permits issued by the city from Memorial Day to Labor Day at local beaches and bays.

Robert Rynearson's group FreePB.org wants to hold a public fundraiser at the bay in Crown Point this weekend, but the group was denied a permit by the city. FreePB.org has also been vocal in its opposition to the city's ban on alcohol at local beaches.

"I don't want to speak for them or anything, but it does seem a little suspicious," said Rynearson.

The city said the group can get a modified permit that includes limited use of alcohol, but that permit is only for private events.

FreePB.org's attorney, Cory Briggs, said, "It's like a wedding reception; we're not excluding anyone, we want people to come to the beach, enjoy the beach, help us raise money for our activities."

"There are certain criteria for a waiver for the exemption, and only a handful of very high-publicity income-generating events have met the criteria for the waiver," said San Diego Deputy City Attorney Glenn Spitzer.

Briggs argued how much money an event brings in is not part of the criteria for getting a permit.

A judge may decide the matter on Friday morning.

FreePB.org said Saturday's event would raise money to help keep the beaches clean.