What You Need to Know for a 4th of July Beach Day – Orange County Register

Large crowds of people flock to the beach during the Fourth of July holiday, as seen here at the Huntington Beach Pier. (File photo by Kevin Sullivan/SCNG)

Hundreds of thousands of people will flock to the beaches of Southern California on July 4, settling on the sand to kick off the holiday festivities, with fun in the sun during the day and fireworks, and increasingly this year, drone shows, at night.

Weather that could reach 90 degrees and even nearly 100 degrees inland means large crowds can be expected to head to the beach on Thursday and into the weekend, where beach weather is expected to be milder – in the upper 70s.

National Weather Service meteorologist Adam Roser said there will be a marine layer in the morning and late evening — hopefully only visible after the evening fireworks and drone shows are done.

According to Surfline, a significant southerly swell on July 4 will bring waves of four to six feet to areas like Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. Waves in the 10 to 4 foot range are likely to occur in other areas, like the South Bay and San Clemente.

Beachgoers should be aware of ocean conditions, especially the currents that can suck them out to sea.

“There will definitely be increased high surf, especially in Orange County,” Roser said. “Definitely be careful on the beaches.”

Strong waves will remain in place until the end of the long weekend, so expect dangerous conditions.

Some suggestions for places where the waves will be gentler include the north side of the Newport Pier and Newport Dunes, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach Harbor, and the Long Beach shoreline.

If you’re heading to the beach on July 4th to watch the evening fireworks and drone shows, make sure you choose a spot far from the waterline.

During the afternoon a mega tide of 6ft high will build, peaking just before most shows around 8.30pm, so the sand space that existed during the day will be overtaken by water as the tide pushes in.

This means your valuables could get soaked and it will be a challenge to get back with people already behind you.

A day at the beach can be filled with frustration if you don’t plan ahead and have a little patience.

“Everyone is frustrated and angry about how long and difficult it is to get where they need to go,” said Kevin Pearsall, superintendent of State Parks Orange Coast. “They just need to have that extra time and know that everyone needs time to get where they need to go.”

Here’s your biggest and most important tip: go early.

Many people head out early, some even before sunrise, to get a good parking spot or reserve their fire ring on the sand. Not all beaches have fire pits, so check before planning a campfire.

Try to visit beaches where there is plenty of parking nearby or where there are large parking lots. Also keep in mind that many people come early in the morning, such as on the city beach of Huntington Beach. There the streets are closed for a 5 km running race and a parade in the city center.

It takes determination and patience to get your hands on one of the sought-after fire rings found on the sands of certain beaches. Many beaches already claim a spot for sunrise.

And don’t plan on putting stuff down and just leaving. Your stuff can be moved and a new group of people can claim the spot.

The best chance for fire rings on the sand are the city and state beaches in Huntington Beach, which also includes Bolsa Chica State Beach, where hundreds of fire rings litter the sand. There are also a few at Doheny State Beach, but they are in the grass and not directly on the sand.

Dockweiler Beach in the South Bay has about 40 rings up for grabs.

In the evening there are plenty of fireworks shows to see, including in Huntington Beach, San Clemente, Long Beach and over the harbors of Dana Point and Redondo Beach and the Back Bay in Newport Beach.

A show in Laguna Beach is getting a new look: drones will light up the sky instead of booming fireworks.

Pearsall also said people should make sure they carry enough fluids to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.

He also asked people to be aware of how much trash they take with them and to take as much as possible with them when they leave.

“One of the days when the most trash is collected on the beaches is July 4. We want people to be aware of how much trash they are using,” he said.

In 2023, 1,300 Surfrider Foundation volunteers participated in 30 cleanups, removing 100,000 pounds of trash across the country, according to an announcement from the nonprofit. “Unfortunately, the sheer amount of waste and pollution left behind has made July 5 officially the dirtiest beach day of the year in the United States, with plastic bottles, cutlery, bags, straws, cans and more left behind.”

Surfrider’s South Bay chapter will be at the Redondo Beach Pier on Friday with free beach cleaning supplies for volunteers who want to help.

In Orange County, the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association meets annually to clean up trash at Doheny State Beach. Volunteers are welcome to join in the effort.

If you go to the coast, try to enjoy the hustle and bustle.

“Be incredibly prepared and patient,” Pearsall warned. “There are parades and fireworks and beautiful weather … we expect a lot of people to want to come and enjoy the coastal beaches.”