Sun brought crowds to local beaches

Sun-and wave-seekers took advantage of the clear skies and high temperatures yesterday by packing county beaches, probably a harbinger of the July 4 weekend. By noon, Ocean, Mission, Pacific and La Jolla Shores beaches were almost full, said San Diego Lifeguard Service Lt. Andy Lerum. Similar crowds were reported at Coronado, Del Mar, Encinitas and Solana Beach, with 15,000 to 20,000 on the sand in Coronado and about 20,000 in Del Mar by noon. “Summer is in full swing,” said Jacob Bender, a Coronado lifeguard. Compared with more popular beaches, Silver Strand State Beach south of Coronado seemed almost lonely, reporting 1,000 visitors by midday. It wasn’t just the humans out in the waves. Five people at Coronado and Del Mar beaches got hit with the spiny tails of stingrays. All were treated and released, lifeguards said. Lifeguards around the county are expecting huge crowds for the July 4 weekend if the long-term weather forecast holds. Read the entire Union Tribune article here.