Clouds Take a Vacation for 4th, Too

Just when most San Diegans thought their Fourth of July weekend would be spoiled by gloom, the sun ended up beating many of them to the beaches Sunday.

Drawn by the few clear days in weeks, tens of thousands of people flocked to the water, clogging freeways, tourist attractions and parks.

By 10 a.m. Sunday, beach parking lots were full, forcing police to block most access streets to Mission Beach and Del Mar beaches. With the forecast today calling for even sunnier skies, city lifeguards advise Independence Day beachgoers to begin their trips early.

Car Pooling Being Urged

“Come early and try to car pool,” city lifeguard David Darrock said. “Anytime after 9 and you’re out of luck--we’re expecting a larger crowd, and parking is going to be terrible.”

With coastal temperatures in the 70s, San Diego beach crowds were estimated at nearly 130,000 Sunday, a number that city lifeguards expect to be surpassed today.

And the large crowds meant extra work for the lifeguards. By 5 p.m. Sunday, 53 rescues had been made--mostly in Ocean Beach, which has been plagued with rip currents in recent weeks. Bathers are advised to swim in guarded areas.

The 3-mile stretch of Del Mar beach and surrounding areas had a crowd estimated at almost 9,000 Sunday. That number is expected to be higher today.

The California Highway Patrol said freeways were clear for the most part but northbound Interstate 5 near the off-ramps to the Del Mar Fair was periodically congested.

Officials at the fair reported a crowd of about 75,000 people Saturday, saying it was the busiest day at the fair this year. Sunday’s attendance was not available. Attendance is up 9,446 so far compared to last year, Ted Bear, media spokesman, said.

Though traffic was stop-and-go on Via de la Valle and Jimmy Durante Boulevard throughout the day, there were no parking problems, Bear said.

The San Diego Zoo estimated a crowd of nearly 20,000 Saturday and 24,000 Sunday, and officials said overflow parking lots were used. A smaller crowd is expected today, about 14,000.