Dana Point COVID-19 Community Update March 30th
DANA POINT COVID-19 COMMUNITY UPDATE MARCH 30th
City Updates
City of Dana Point, March 30, 2020, Media Release
Last weekend saw an increase in car traffic into the city along the beaches and waterfront areas. The State, County and City have closed all coastal and harbor public parking lots, beach parking lots and some trails to prevent group gatherings, to promote social distancing, and to stop the spread of COVID-19. The City of Dana Point is asking all non-residents to avoid traveling into the City and to go outdoors and exercise in your local community and neighborhood.
Parking Restrictions
The entire list of parking restrictions across the City is as follows:
-Coast Highway from Doheny Park Road to Palisades/Beach Road – Ocean Side Only
-Lantern Bay Park Parking Lot and Street Parking on Park Lantern (Uphill Direction Only – West Side)
-Selva Road, Ocean Side, Adjacent to Strand Beach Parking Lot
-Dana Strand Road, Inland Side, Adjacent to Switchback Trail (restricted section at the top to allow resident parking)
-Ritz Carlton Drive adjacent to Salt Creek, Both Sides
-Community Center Parking Lot, Closed with Traffic Control
-Heritage Park Parking Lot– Old Golden Lantern
-Dana Point Harbor – All Parking on the Island
-Dana Point Harbor Drive – All parking along entire length in Harbor
-Harbor Commercial lots open for essential employees and Grab-N-Go restaurant service only
-Monarch Beach Golf Course Parking Lot
-Dana Point Library Parking Lot
-Capistrano County Beach – No Stopping Anytime Zone at Turnaround – Parking Lot is Closed.
-Santa Clara from Blue Lantern to Green Lantern
-Blue Lantern from PCH to Cul-de-Sac, Both Sides and Perpendicular Parking
-Old Golden Lantern from Heritage Park Parking Lot to Alley South of Del Prado, Both Sides
-Amber Lantern from Santa Clara to the End
-Golden Lantern Both Sides from Del Prado to DP Harbor Drive
-Del Obispo from Village Road to PCH, Both Sides
-Village Road from Del Obispo to Curve
-County Beach Parking Lots
-State Beach Parking Lot
Road Closures – Resident access only (if applicable)
-Westbound Dana Point Harbor Drive is closed at the Baby Beach Turnaround; No Traffic is allowed west of that location
-Southbound Green Lantern is closed at Santa Clara and Scenic Drive/Green Lantern are closed – Residents Only
-Westbound Santa Clara is closed at Blue Lantern
-Cove Road is closed in both directions
-Blue Lantern closed south of Santa Clara
-Heritage Park Parking Lot
-Amber Lantern at Santa Clara (To Cul-de-Sac at Overlook)
Facility Closures
-Nature Interpretive Center
-Trails at Harbor Point Park (off Scenic Drive)
-Trails at Hilltop Park (Off Scenic Drive, Green Lantern and Shoreline)
-Switchback Trail off Dana Strand
-Dana Point Community Center
-City Restrooms at all Parks and Facilities
-Dana Cove Beach – Accessed adjacent to the Ocean Institute.
These efforts are due to an influx of vehicular traffic and to gain greater compliance with social distancing requirements recommended by local health authorities.
City Council: The City Council will be meeting on Tuesday, March 31st at 6pm to consider ratifying Amendment 1 to the City’s declaration of a local emergency, which will extend the emergency proclamation, align City regulations to the Governor’s Executive Orders and consider other provisions to streamline City processes during this dynamic situation. The agenda is linked here and the meeting can be viewed on the City’s Youtube channel and on Cox channel 855. Comments can be e-mailed to kward@danapoint.org.
County: The County of Orange is reporting COVID-19 cases by city. The information can be found here. The County has also created this message about building resiliency during this uncertain time.
State: The Governor signed a new Executive Order updating his previous order regarding residential evictions through May 31 and outlined a process by which a tenant can request relief from a landlord. Read the Governor’s statement and the text of the Order here. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that financial institutions will provide major financial relief for millions of Californians suffering financially as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Californians economically impacted by COVID-19 may receive 90-day grace periods to make mortgage payments. To read more about the plan click here.
Federal: “The Cares Act” passed in the House and President Donald Trump has signed the $2 trillion stimulus bill to address the economic impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Services and Resources Directory
City Services: The City’s Community Development Department is offering services electronically and/or remotely. This includes accepting new applications and issuing permits. Guidance is available on our webpage for applicants. Reminders: The spring session of recreation classes running from April 6th through June 6th is currently postponed. While the City is continuing to perform street sweeping weekly, the City will not be enforcing parking restrictions related to that service.
Dana Point Harbor: Dana Point Harbor is in alignment with State and local guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. There is no beach access parking in the Harbor. Puerto Place parking lots (Big Puerto and Little Puerto) are closed. The remaining public parking lots remain open for essential workers and food pick-up only. Boater designated parking lots are for boater parking only. Dana Point Harbor’s Essential Businesses including restaurants offering take-out and delivery service will remain open. For customer convenience, they have set up pick-up and delivery zones marked for each tenant. All public parking areas, restrooms, picnic areas, seating areas, and the Baby Beach Pier are closed. The Marina at Dana Point is open, including guest slips. Embarcadero at Dana Point is open, including the launch ramp. Dana Point Fuel Dock will be open daily 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., service is by appointment only. For more information about Harbor operations during COVID-19 and contact information for Essential Services and Businesses, please click here.
2020 Census: 2020 Census online survey and phone response lines are wide open. The phone line is 844-330-2020 and the online survey can be accessed here.
Treasurer-Tax Collector Freidenrich has announced she will grant penalty relief for property taxpayers as allowed by existing State Law for taxpayers that fail to make a timely property tax payment. More information on this announcement can be found here.
Dana Point Social Security Office: On Tuesday, March 17, 2020 the Social Security Administration closed ALL local Social Security offices to the public for in-person service. With offices closed, the agency encourages the public to access services online. You can go online to apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits, check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card, or print a benefit verification letter. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions section.
U.S. Representative Mike Levin’s office is also available to assist with accessing Federal resources and information about programs and benefits. His office can be reached at (760) 599-5000 or here.
Dana Point Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber has a great website offering resources for business assistance and a list of restaurants offering takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery in Dana Point: https://danapointchamber.com/
Business Impacts – Unemployment Benefits: The City has compiled information for both employers and workers regarding resources and programs related to labor impacts. Visit our website here to learn more.
Orange County Transportation Authority: OCTA will temporarily implement a Sunday Service Schedule on all days, along with regular Stationlink and iShuttle service, until further notice. View and download the entire Bus Book with routes, fares and schedules.
Capistrano Unified School District: The District has extended school closures through May 1. For additional updates check out their resources page by clicking here.
Tax Filings: California State Treasurer Fiona Ma announced she has added new resource lists on tax relief and food access to the State Treasurer’s website, which already includes a list of resources for small businesses. View the tax relief list here, the food list here, and the small business list here. The federal deadline to file taxes has been extended to July 15th. The State deadline which was previously pushed to June 15th is now July 15th.
Volunteer Opportunities: Our non-profits are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle. To support their activities, Orange County has activated its virtual Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC) managed by OneOC. Social distancing of 6 feet or more and personal protective measures to prevent close contact are in place. To volunteer, please visit https://volunteers.oneoc.org/
California State Guard (CSG) has an urgent request for volunteers who are ready and willing to serve their fellow citizens. The CSG is looking for volunteers that are willing to join the CSG now and for the long-term. This isn’t a one-time effort; it is a chance to make a difference here in California. The CSG needs individuals with the following skills: ASE certified automotive and diesel mechanics and technicians, FAA certified aviation airframe and powerplant mechanics and technicians, Marine powerplant and hull mechanics and technicians, Medics/Corpsmen/EMT, Healthcare professionals and Cyber security. Volunteers must be willing to join the CSG, pass a background check and meet minimum health standards. There is no age limit. Prior service in the armed forces is preferred, but not required. If called to emergency duty the service member will receive pay and benefits commensurate with their pay grade and be covered by the State of California for travel, workers compensation and disability benefits. If you believe that you are ready to respond – contact CSG recruiting at: recruiting@stateguard.cmd.ca.gov, 1-866-526-4543.
Donations Needed: Orange County relies on community partnerships to fill the gap and support the various needs of low-income and dependent residents, including foster children and seniors. The items collected will be distributed through existing processes to the appropriate government agencies and non-profits who support our most vulnerable Orange County residents. More information on what’s needed and where to take it, click here.
Grocery Stores/ Market Hours – Updated
Local market and grocery store times may be changing to ensure that employees have time to restock shelves, sanitize, and clean facilities. We will keep updating this list as we receive more information.
Note: if you bring your own shopping bags, staff will ask you to bag your own items; staff will only bag your items in new disposable bags (free or 10 cents each).
ALBERTSONS (Del Obispo, (949) 496-7900):
Seniors & those with disabilities/pregnant/compromised immune system: Mon-Fri, 7am-9am
Regular Store Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm, Sat/Sun, 7am-9pm
COSTCO (Doheny Park Rd, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 240 3558):
Seniors* 60yrs+ & those with physical disabilities: Tue/Wed/Thu, 8am-9am
Regular Store Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-6:30pm; Sat, 9:30am-6pm; Sun, 10am-6pm
GELSON’S (Monarch Bay Plaza, (949) 488-8147):
Seniors* 65yrs+: 7am-8am
Regular Store Hours: 8am-8pm
RALPH’S (Lantern District, (949) 661-4145, and Ocean Ranch, (949) 661-6334)
Seniors* 60yrs+ and those considered high risk: 6am-7:30am
Regular Store Hours: 7:30am-10pm
SMART & FINAL (Doheny Park Rd, (949) 240-4641):
Seniors* 65yrs+, those with disabilities and expectant mothers: Tue/Thu, 6am-8am
Regular Store Hours: 6am-10pm
STATER BROS (Camino de los Mares, San Clemente, (949) 496-8283):
Seniors* 65yrs+ priority access at 7:45a
Regular Store Hours: 8a-9p
TRADER JOES (Ocean Ranch (949) 493-8599 and Camino de los Mares (949) 240-9996)
Seniors expedited line: 8am-9am
Regular Store Hours: 9am-7pm
*Valid ID may be required