Laguna Beach to close beaches for July 4 weekend as other OC cities stay open

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Laguna Beach has decided to close its beach for the July 4th weekend, while several other Orange County cities plan to keep theirs open.

A number of coastal communities throughout Southern California have decided to close their beaches over the holiday weekend as the state sees a new surge in coronavirus cases.

Beaches will be closed in all of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

RELATED: Ventura County beaches to close for July 4 weekend

The Laguna Beach city council voted Tuesday night to close the beach for the weekend. The city has also canceled its annual fireworks display.

RELATED: Los Angeles County beaches to close over July 4 weekend

The beach scene in San Clemente was booming on Tuesday as temperatures climbed into the 80s, with crowds sprawled across the sand and in the ocean. The coastal city has not announced any plans to close its beach this weekend.

Huntington Beach, which had seen several large protests against closure orders this spring, is also keeping its beach open for the holiday weekend. But extra patrols will be in place to "encourage and enforce social distancing," the city says.

The pier and beaches will also be open. The city is working to post more than 600 signs throughout the beach and downtown area to emphasize physical distancing and the use of face coverings.

Huntington Beach is not allowing fireworks displays this year because of state regulations restricting large gatherings during the pandemic.

Newport Beach initially said its beaches open during the holiday weekend but officials later voted to close them as two seasonal lifeguards tested positive for COVID-19.

City officials are urging beach-goers to use good judgement.

The city does plan to hold a modified 4th of July Parade and Community Celebration.