Oceanside Beach. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News

OCEANSIDE–The City of Oceanside will close beach parking lots for the Fourth of July holiday weekend to minimize crowded gatherings, increase physical distancing, and slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With Los Angeles County and Orange County beaches closed, and San Diego County State Beach parking lots closed, city officials decided to close its parking lots.

Oceanside beach parking lots west of the railroad tracks, with the exception of certain Harbor lots near the Harbor Village,will be closed from July 3 at 8 a.m. through July 6 at 8:00 a.m.

Additionally, there are no fireworks displays in Oceanside or at Camp Pendleton this Independence Day.

With COVID-19 cases rising in the county, the city will take measures to break the chain of transmission in the region.  

The city is asking residents to refrain from gathering with those outside of their own household, and wear face coverings when they leave their home and are within 6 feet of others.