SAN DIEGO COUNTY (KGTV)-- While most beaches in San Diego County are entirely closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Coronado, Torrey Pines, and Oceanside do not have hard-closures. However, most of the visitors at the still-open beaches were doing their part in maintaining proper social distance.
Get out and stretch out. Many people found one of the rare places in San Diego County to do so: Coronado Beach.
"All the gyms, and everywhere you can get a little exercise, are closed," Manhattan Beach resident, Ryan Darling said. "I actually came out just to stretch my legs a little bit and get out of the house to do some lunges."
Darling is visiting a friend in Coronado. He was worried the beach here would be packed. But many are finding it to be pretty mellow.
"It's just as nice to see that it's not crazy on this nice, beautiful Saturday," Coronado resident, Brenda Byrnes said.
Coronado Lifeguards periodically make announcements over the loudspeakers to take enforcement to the next level.
"We're trying as hard as we can to keep the beach open. So we ask that you guys remain in motion," lifeguards said.
If they see anyone loitering, sunbathing, or quietly sitting on the sand, they tell them to get a move on. It's a message most people seem to be following.
"I went the whole way, and we just wave hi to one another from six feet and keep going," Darling said.
The same goes for Oceanside. The beaches there have similar soft-closure rules. The parking lots, Pier, picnic areas, and playgrounds are closed. Congregating is strictly prohibited.
These cities are following State guidelines practiced at Torrey Pines State Beach. Parking lots are closed, so visitors must hike into the beach. But some fortunate folks found street parking.
"It's our lucky day!" visitor, John Hughes laughed. "Get out, get some sun, and then we'll go back home and hibernate."
So far, visitors at the still-open beaches seem to be taking social distancing seriously. It's because if they do not, they know this luxury may be taken away at any time.
"I hope they remain open, and to be used just the way they are right now," Byrnes said. "But if it gets too crowded, then I'm for closing them."
