Sorting out the rules on coastal alcohol ban

By Helen Gao
San Diego Union Tribune
February 16, 2008

SAN DIEGO – Last month, San Diegans were put on notice that it's no longer legal to drink alcohol on city beaches, bay shores and coastal parks.

Here is a primer on the regulation, which took effect Jan. 15.

QUESTION: What beaches are covered by the new round-the-clock ban?

ANSWER: All city beaches and bays in City Council Districts 1 and 2, which hug the coast from Point Loma to the Del Mar city limits. Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and associated piers, boardwalks and sea walls are affected.

What about La Jolla?

An alcohol ban has been in effect for many years at La Jolla Shores and Kellogg Park. Alcohol has also been outlawed for a number of years at Marine Street Beach and the Clam, a collection of sea cliffs popular for diving.

Windansea and La Jolla Cove beaches are covered under the new ban. But booze is still allowed in Ellen Browning Scripps Park from noon to 8 p.m.

What coastal parks have been added to the no-alcohol list?

Mission Bay Park (includes Fiesta Island, Robb Field and Dusty Rhodes Park in Ocean Beach), Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, Tourmaline Surfing Park and all coastal parks south of Tourmaline.

How will the ban affect events at Mission Bay Park, which have historically have included alcohol, such as the Over-the-Line Tournament and Thunderboat Regatta?

Organizers with special-event permits issued by San Diego's Office of Special Events are exempt from the booze ban. Both Over-the-Line and Thunderboat Regatta are acquiring such permits.

How will the booze ban affect weddings at city parks?

If you are planning a wedding in a park affected by the booze ban and wish to serve alcohol, you have to obtain a special-event permit to do so.

Applicants seeking permits for wedding celebrations are already governed by regulations restricting food and alcohol consumption at certain sites. For example, at Cuvier Park, the so-called Wedding Bowl in La Jolla, receptions and glass containers, including champagne bottles, are not allowed. The same is true for Calumet Park in Bird Rock, another popular wedding site.

Alcohol is allowed in non-glass containers in those parks.

The city does not issue permits for weddings at beaches.

Are there any parks where alcohol is still permitted?

There are 21 inland parks where alcohol is allowed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., including Lake Murray Community Park, Kate Sessions Memorial Park and Presidio Park.

For a full list, look up Chapter 5, Article 6, Section 56.54 of the municipal code on sandiego.gov/city-clerk.

There are eight coastal parks and open-space areas north of Tourmaline Surfing Park, where alcohol is allowed from noon to 8 p.m.

They are: Calumet Park; Charlotte Park; Hermosa Park; Hermosa Terrace Park; La Jolla Strand Park; Nicholson's Point Park; Ellen Browning Scripps Park and Windansea Park.

The alcohol ban is for a one-year trial. When will it sunset?

Jan. 14, 2009. After that, the City Council will decide whether to continue the ban.

What are the penalties for violating the ban?

First-time violators could be fined up to $250. Repeat offenders could face a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to six months in jail.