Trestles Parking Lot No Longer Free
 Vol. 4, Issue 33, August 13-19, 2009
By Andrea Swayne
San Clemente Times
State Parks to begin charging for parking in San Onofre State Beach-Trestles lot
Surfers pulling in to the Trestles [Carl’s Jr.] parking lot on Tuesday morning, August 11, were surprised by a row of public notice signs zip-tied to the fences. The signs were posted by the California State Parks Department to announce that effective August 17, “…vehicles parking in the San Onofre State Beach-Trestles parking area are subject to applicable State Park day-use fees and parking regulations. Valid State Park Annual Day Use Passes will be accepted…”
According to Rich Haydon, State Parks South Sector Superintendant for the Orange Coast District, a manned kiosk will be erected at the lot entrance to begin charging the new fee, which is expected to be between $10 and $15.
The announcement was met with a pretty even split—those in favor vs. those against the new fees—among surfers interviewed that morning regarding their opinions on the issue. Though curiously, local San Clemente surfers were absent among the group using the lot that morning.
“I think the new fees are ok. We fought to protect this park from the toll road and it was defeated, but we lost the economic benefit that it would have provided. So why not now be able to actually get some money from the lot to help with upkeep and use the money to make sure that the park is best used for everybody?” said surfer Mike Besnard of Irvine. “We charge for other state park parking, so why not for this one?”
Doug Anderson of Orange had a different opinion. “I’m here at least three times a week and this makes me very angry,” said Anderson. “I can’t figure out why this legislature can’t operate within a budget. Everyone else has to—both at home and at work. Why are these people who are paid to do a job and fail at managing the state allowed to keep their jobs? It seems to me that they should be terminated. When you don’t pay your bills at home who do you ask for money? It frustrates me. I think it should be the same with the legislature—even more so because it’s not their money!”
When asked about other revenue generating ideas such as the likelihood of the Trestles special event parking area (off of Basilone Road) being opened at times other than during events such as surf contests, Haydon said that it is unlikely to happen. “The special events lot is not part of the Parks General Plan and would require a very lengthy process, possibly several years, to change the policy on that lot,” said Haydon.
The public notice signs showed up at the lot on the same day that the California State Parks Department issued a press release announcing other statewide fee increases. For more information on that press release see the story in this week’s Eye on SC section in the “What’s up with…” section.
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Good idea s.c. surfers! we should all just surf our own spots. Don't bother coming to the Islands this winter! Localism is for insecure crybabies.
That parking lot is so far from the beach and they want us 2 pay 4 it. So cool not. It has been free 4 so long don't change it.
I think its great. First we get to pay for the state parks, then we get to pay to use the state parks. I like it. It's like paying twice for the same thing...I mean it is paying twice for the same thing.
when it comes down to it...I really hope there will be some benefits of this recent parking lot rendevouz! Hopefully they put some of that money into maintaining trestles pristine. As for the rest of us stokers! We just need to get back into the basics and realize that life is too short to live with hate! If youre a surfer its simple....you dont own anything! Not the waves nor the spot that you always surf in and if youre a weekend warrior coming in from everywhere else besides SC and surrounding cities then pls learn that respect is the key! you wouldnt want people coming into your neighborhood disrespecting your neighbors and trashing your streets. So respect one another and learn the common etiquetes of surfing before you paddle out. tons of Aloha for everyone and keep the stoke burnin' brahs!
I parked a couple blocks away before when the lot was full... I don't remember any signs saying you had to have permits on the public streets... did I miss the signs?????
FYI, to all that are thinking of parking on the residential streets just above the lot; those streets require a permit to park on, and are being patroled by the po po. Vehicles without permits are being cited. So, if you know someone who lives in that area ask them for their guest pass. Citations are not FREE.
Um, its not like that parking lot is all that close to the beach... if people are willing to walk all the from the parking lot why wouldnt they just park another two blocks over for free and walk a little farther? I wouldn't pay $10.00-$15.00 to park there when I can park two blocks farther away for free. For that amount they better provide a shuttle directly to the beach. It seems to me this is just creating a problem for the people who live in that neighborhood- now the streets are going to be really crowded with the extra parked cars. Sounds like a great opportunity for someone to start up a valet parking business... How about $8.00 per car...
if it keeps kooks off the beach ,thats kinda cool!i dont mind sharing but 909rs polute and dis'locals so it should be free if you can prove your local kooks PAY!!!!
tiki
the buck always stops here! why does the bottom rung always pay the bills ,i say do an audit find out who spent all the money and fire them and hire qualified people to manage our money!down size !cut back! just like we do!!we already pay the bills now we pay again!!
tikidaddy
Good, maybe it will keep all the donkeys from showing up there. Trestles is so kooked out now that the Toll Road wouldnt make any differnce on the crowd one way or the other. In fact, it failed either way....it made the place so public that people are now learning how to surf there with 0 knowledge and 0 surf etiquette!
You all suck.....go to Huntington or Newport.
Lets see.... In exchange for the tollroad and 909'rs driving up with spongers playing Who's Waldo blowin the vibe at Lowers or paying a fee? No brainer... if you dont like it pick up a skateboard or old cruiser with some PVC surf racks and save your dough. Long live Trestles!!!! Later surf Brahs...
i just gotta call this guy out... LOSTWINDS????? where are you from or do you actually think thats how to pronounce it????
too many transplants in town now anyways!!!! gone are the days when localism used to keep the beachbreaks uncrowded....
LAME.
“The special events lot is not part of the Parks General Plan and would require a very lengthy process, possibly several years, to change the policy on that lot,” said Haydon.
Someone was asking were the money goes. Its a parking lot that used for parking cars, but only on certain days. So the idea of using it everyday will take years to decide and resolve?
LOL --- When you looking to fire someone go after these people ---
Save Trestles, abolish the state park! **** the rangers!
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Good Idea!
I suggest Doug take up golf.
I don't know who posted in my name under this post, but loser, learn how to fill in the blanks correctly. The input section says "Your Name" not "to". Anyway I have to WALK to the beach and catch some waves, good luck on your bike ride to the water park. Oh by the way I hear slip and slides are on sale at Target.
didn't your mommy teach you to share growing up? did you learn in school there is a difference between private and public property? can you spell LOSER? didn't think so...loser. sign.....
local
The reason no San Clemente residents were interviewed is because, unlike ol Doug, we can ride our bikes to trestles.....
Maybe this will finally convince my friend, who still freakin DRIVES to the lot and he lives on the loop, to start riding down the trail with me.
/ Friend is lazy as hell
//screw that lot
///biking it since I was able.
Im in favor of anything that keeps those 909ers off the beach.
Great news...I'm just surprised they hadn't started this years ago. I suggest Doug should just start surfing HB since he has to pay now anyways...less gas.
Hey Doug Anderson of Orange, why don't you and those inlanders like you stay in Orange or where ever and surf. Then we locals can have our beaches back. Enjoy the waterpark, it might be cheaper for you.
This is great news, it might thin the line up.