Thousands may flock to Laguna for the Fourth
The city of Laguna Beach anticipates up to 100,000 visitors on Fourth of July if the weather pans out, according to officials.
About 700 individual fireworks are set to be shot off during the city’s 9 p.m. fireworks show from Monument Point at Heisler Park, said Benjamin Siegel, assistant to the city manager and director of Community Services.
The Monument Point area will be closed all day on the fourth, according to a press release. At 5 p.m., part of Heisler Park from Rock Bench at Myrtle Street to the Rockpile Beach stairs at Jasmine Street will be closed to the public as part of the fireworks preparation.
Three Arch Bay, Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay are all having their own fireworks shows as well.
Laguna’s trolleys will run on an alternate schedule, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and free public parking in Pavilions center parking lot, 600 N. Coast Hwy., will not be available. It will resume July 5 through the end of the summer festival season.
All city rules will be enforced, including:
•No alcohol or smoking on the beaches.
•No tents, canopies or barbecues will be allowed at parks or beaches.
•Fireworks are not allowed and that will be heavily enforced by the police and fire departments.
•Dogs are not allowed on beaches from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer, through Sept. 10.
“Nearly every police officer (and other Police Department employees) will be working July 4,” Lt. Jason Kravetz said via email. “It is our busiest day of the year, and we need to be at full staffing.”
The police will also set up an information trailer on the cobblestone area at Main Beach for lost-and-found children, Kravetz said.
After the fireworks show, the center lane of Laguna Canyon Road, between Canyon Acres and El Toro Road, will be set up as an adaptational northbound lane.
“Our goal is still get everyone safely out of town in an expeditious manner,” Kravetz wrote.
City Hall will be closed July 4, but will be open the rest of the week.
alisha.gomezberman@latimes.com
Twitter: @coastlinepilot