From helicopters and cruisers, police try to keep public off beaches, trails amid coronavirus

Authorities were out in force Saturday enforcing orders to keep beaches, parks and hiking trails clear as part of unprecedented restrictions on public movements to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Most beaches, trails, recreation facilities as well as nonessential businesses were closed because of the state and local orders, and many obeyed.

A Ventura County Sheriff’s Department cruiser could be seen guarding the entrance to a popular trail in Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, upon which hundreds of hikers and families descended on Saturday. In Venice, a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter was seen circling a skate park, announcing that people who did not leave the area would be “arrested for trespassing.”

1/21

An unidentified worker with Absolute Intl. Security, lets people know that the Strand in Hermosa Beach is closed.  (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

2/21

A drone’s view of Hermosa Beach as the Strand walking path and all beaches of Los Angeles county are closed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus,   (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

3/21

A man works out in Santa Monica even as all beaches and beach paths of Los Angeles county are closed.   (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

4/21

A drone’s view of surfers off Venice during the first morning of closures of all beaches of Los Angeles county.  (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

5/21

Mark Gregorio finds plenty of social distancing at a sunny spot on Ratner Beach in the midst of coronavirus-related closures in Pacific Palisades, Calif.  (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

6/21

More than 100 recreational vehicles are parked in a lot at Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles, and are being used to house people who have tested positive or have symptions of the coronavirus. Many of the camp’s patients are homeless.   (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)

7/21

Dozens of people were out on the center median along San Vicente Blvd. in the midst of coronavirus-related closures in Santa Monica.  (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

8/21

Shauna Jin, of Los Angeles, with dog Bodhi, practices social distancing with John Kiss, of Los Angeles, at the front entrance of Runyun Canyon Park Saturday. They were turned away beause the park was closed.   (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)

9/21

Westchester resident Eddie Fonseca walks dogs on the center median along San Vicente Blvd. in the midst of coronavirus-related closures in Santa Monica.  (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

10/21

A woman wearing a face mask walks along the bike path in Santa Monica.  (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

11/21

Surfers head to the water in Venice Beach.  (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

12/21

A couple find plenty of social distancing for a walk in the surf at Ratner Beach in Pacific Palisades Saturday.  (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

13/21

A young man heads to the water in Venice Beach, despite all beaches and beach paths of Los Angeles county are closed.  (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

14/21

An unidentified worker with Absolute Intl. Security, walks The Strand, while providing security for the Hermosa Beach Police Department in closing off The Strand.  (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

15/21

Marcos Ayala with Absolute Intl. Security, provides security for the Hermosa Beach Police Department in closing off The Strand.  (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

16/21

A runner crosses Pier Plaza early Saturday morning, as The Strand and beach of Hermosa Beach, CA, are closed.  (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

17/21

Hikers walk on a paved road in Griffith Park near the Hollywood sign.  (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

18/21

Mong Noiboonsok, left, and Rena Chastan, after a morning run have lunch on a sunny Saturday at Crystal Springs Picnic area in Griffith Park   (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

19/21

Ola, left, and Vlad Ponomarenko play at Crystal Springs Picnic area in Griffith Park Saturday.  (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

20/21

Shops are closed along the Venice Beach boardwalk.  (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)

21/21

Los Angeles resident Fanny Vences, 31, takes a selfie in Griffith Park overlooking the Hollywood sign.  (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

Despite park and trail closures in Santa Monica, Amy Weber managed to spend her Saturday morning outdoors at a farmers market. Weber said organizers did a good job maintaining enough distance between people inside the market. Waiting in line outside, people smiled and chatted.

“There’s just something about being outside that makes you feel a little bit fresher, cleaner,” she said.

Afterward, Weber walked to Palisades Park, where she spent the late morning taking in views of the ocean. She got to the bottom of the California Incline walkway to the beach and saw a wire chain with a sign saying it was temporarily closed. Below, she saw people biking and walking on the beach path.

By 1 p.m., police vehicles making their way south were slowing near her. Officers announced over an intercom: “We would like to remind you that Palisades Park is closed. Please practice social distancing as you’re exiting the park.”

Weber was glad for the enforcement, saying she hopes that shutting things down will mean the country recovers from the coronavirus quicker.

“If we keep doing this in tiny little bits and nobody’s adhering to it, I’m just afraid it’s going to continue,” she said.

For now, Weber said she’s content with looking at the beach from afar, smelling the salty air and feeling the ocean breeze.

Residents of other West L.A. neighborhoods were less tranquil Saturday, as power outages continued to cause headaches in parts of Beverlywood, Cheviot Hills, Century City, Pico-Robertson and Westwood. Stella Gardiner, a legal assistant who lives in Pico-Robertson, said she had been dealing with sporadic power outages since Thursday and was growing concerned about how the loss of electricity might affect older residents in her area.

“There are people with health problems,” she said. “God knows they may have medical equipment they need.”

Most beaches, trails, recreation areas and other points of interest are closed, including trails in Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles. The state has also ordered parking lots closed at dozens of state beaches and parks.

But L.A. officials said it’s fine to walk or jog in your neighborhood or through neighborhood parks as long as people adhere to social-distancing guidelines.