All San Diego beach parking lots and Fiesta Island at capacity on Fourth of

On Jul 5, 2024

San Diego police are urging beachgoers to pack their patience because all beach parking lots had reached capacity by noon on the Fourth of July.

The department added that cars were no longer allowed to enter Fiesta Island and that vehicles that leave the island will not be able to come back.

Fiesta Island has reached capacity and is closed to additional vehicle traffic entering the island. Vehicles that leave the island will not be allowed back onto the island. We will continue to reevaluate congestion on the island throughout the day. https://t.co/RhyKEhfmfi

— San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) July 4, 2024

Since San Diego beaches are packed, here’s what to watch out for: getting too close to wildlife and the threat for rip currents.

If you are heading to the beach on Thursday, keep in mind the rip current risk will be HIGH. Be very careful and always swim near lifeguards.

If you are ever caught in a rip current, never fight it! You won’t be able to outswim it. Let it take you out, as scary as that may seem, and start swimming parallel to the shoreline. Once you are out of the current, swim back to shore. The National Weather Service San Diego has more tips on how to “break the grip of the rip:”

Happy Independence Day from all of us here at NWS San Diego! Those hitting the beach tomorrow will need to be on the look out for rip currents, while those further inland and especially the deserts/mountains need to know how to identify heat exhaustion & heat stroke! #cawx pic.twitter.com/QESs8XCsip

— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) July 3, 2024

“Fourth of July weekend is what we call the Super Bowl of lifeguarding, so it’s the most people that come to the beach, the most crowded,” Jacob Magness with San Diego Lifeguard said.

People from all around the world come to San Diego every year to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend. With more people in town, lifeguards are asking you to be extra vigilant of rip currents to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

“If you’re not a frequent ocean swimmer and not comfortable with the environment, lifeguards recommend that you stay waist deep with your feet a the bottom at all times,” Magness said.

If you cannot escape, float, or tread water. If you need help wave for assistance. Here are more tips on how to avoid getting caught in a rip current.

San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Jacob Magness says the Fourth of July weekend is the “Super Bowl of lifeguarding.” If you’re headed to San Diego’s beaches for the holiday weekend, NBC 7’s Jeanette Quezada explains some safety tips to keep in mind.

Lifeguards also recommend planning ahead to make sure you and your family stay safe.

“A lot of the lifeguard towers on the beach have numbers, so that’s a great way to talk about it with your children and say hey, you know we’re swimming at tower 14 and if we get separated just go to that tower and we’ll find each other,” Magness said.

If you’re not sure about the rip current conditions, walk up to a tower and ask a lifeguard.

“Any lifeguard will direct you to the right spot,” Magness said.