John Lyman
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Are you headed to the coast on Fourth of July? So is everyone else. Here’s some info to help navigate you through the madness:

DRINKING? Make sure you hide your beers in West Newport:

This area has long been the drunken party central, where house parties in front yards are flowing with booze; hardly anyone has any clothes on; and the cops are scanning the area to bust anyone doing anything even slightly suspect.

Check out this video from last year’s craziness. And here’s another from Youtube, courtesy of djjson on Twitter.

Hundreds of thousands of people flood into Newport, and the Police Department has about 200 officers on scene to make sure things don’t get out of control. Newport - and back in the days Huntington Beach - have a bad rap for having crazy fights and riots on the 4th of July.

Huntington Beach has toned down, after police started crackin’ the whip and fining everyone for everything. But Newport is still pretty wild. Last year, police gave more than 370 citations for various violations, issuing more than 590 parking citations and arresting 159 people.

They note that 83 percent of those arrested have addresses outside of Newport Beach (Read: Inland Empire) Last year’s arrest totals were up 27.2 percent from the previous year’s total of 125, according to the police. The biggest problem areas include drinking in public, public intoxication, fighting, uncontrolled parties, possession of fireworks and igniting them in public. 

Fireworks are illegal to possess in the city of Newport Beach despite their sale in nearby cities.

So check it out - just be careful about taking your drinks out in the areas bordering the following areas, because fines are tripled: Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Boulevard, 32nd Street, the Pacific Ocean, and 54th Street.

The Police Department suggests people minimize the number of guests they invite to their parties, control those who attend, and make sure people who are drinking keep all open alcoholic beverages on their private property. 

Also, make sure you don’t park illegally, the towing companies are out scouting ways to make big bucks on this day. If you want more details, check out www.NBPD.org.

PARKING:

Will be insane everywhere. Good luck.

ROAD and PIER CLOSURE:

If you’re headed through or going to Huntington Beach, you may want to take note of some road closures along Pacific Coast Highway. The roads from Goldenwest street to Beach Boulevard on PCH will be closed starting at 5 a.m., until 2 p.m.

City beach parking is only accessible at Beach Boulevard, and gates open at 5 a.m.

The pier will be partially closed to the public starting at 5 p.m., because of the fireworks being launched off the end of the pier. PCH closes down from 7 p.m. until about 11 p.m. Also, Huntington Street will be closed to through traffic between Atlanta and PCH.

FIREWORKS AT THE BEACH

Here’s some spots you can check out firework shows along the coast:

Dana Point:

Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza

When: Saturday, July 4 12:00p to 10:00p

Where: Doheny State Beach, Dana Point

More Info: An all-day festival is held at Doheny State Beach for the celebration of the 4th of July. And, of course, the day is finished with fireworks at 9 p.m. Get a map, see nearby restaurants, or add this event to your Google calendar.

Huntington Beach

2009 4th of July Parade & Pier Festival

When: Friday-Sunday, July 3-4, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Where: Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach

More Info: Three-day long Fourth of July extravaganza at the Huntington Beach Pier at Main Street (Friday - Sunday). The all-day pier festival will entertain, while the 9 p.m. fireworks on Saturday will amaze. Get a map, see nearby restaurants or add this event to your Google calendar.

Newport Beach:

Fireworks Show at Newport Dunes

When: Saturday, July 4, 1p.m.

Where: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, Newport Beach

More Info: Family fun and games throughout the day with music, food, raffle, carnival games, contests, tournaments, ending with a spectacular fireworks finale! But you better get here early and save your spot to watch the show. There is a fee per car to enter. Get a map, see nearby restaurants or add this event to your Google calendar.

San Clemente:

4th of July Fireworks Show

When: Saturday, July 4, 9 p.m.

Where: San Clemente Pier, San Clemente

More Info: Come and enjoy an evening of outstanding fireworks. This event is free and begins at about 9 p.m. Get a map, see nearby restaurants or add this event to your Google calendar.

BONFIRES:

Expect fire rings to be scarce on the Fourthof July, with people arriving in the early morning hours to secure spots. If you want to give it a try, here’s a list of beaches that have fire rings. The ones with the most include Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beach.

Bolsa Chica: 182 fire rings.
Huntington State Beach: 180 fire rings.
Huntington City Beach: A few hundred fire pits on a 3/4 mile stretch between Beach and First Street.
Newport Beach:  About 50 fire pits in Balboa and Corona del Mar.
Laguna Beach: County-run Aliso Beach has about a dozen fire rings.
Doheny State Beach: About 35 or so spots, and they are usually gone within a half hour of the park opening.
San Clemente City Beach: Four rings on the south side of the pier, fvie on the north side, stretching from North Beach to T-Street.

It seems every week there’s a surf contest along some stretch of beach in Orange County these days.  Well here’s an event for the groms that sounds really cool.

The Western Surfing Association (WSA) is putting on its 4th Annual Menehune Surf Fest in a couple of weeks. 

The competition is for girls and boys between the ages of six and sixteen.  There will be divisions for shortboarders and longboarders.

If you’ve never competed in a surf contest, you’re a total beginner, or you just want to brush up on your competitive surfing skills then this is a great event. 

Parents can even take part in the nine and under push-in division where they can actually help they’re kids catch waves.

The 4th Annual WSA Menehune Surf Fest takes place at Goldenwest Street in Huntington Beach on Sunday July 12.  For more info. or contest entries, go to wsasurf.org.

Water temps drop

Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue at Doheny