From the office of: The City Attorney, City of San Diego

Spring Break is here. If your plans include a visit to San Diego, you need to be aware of a new law. San Diego City beaches are now alcohol-free. So, violating this law can put a real damper on your entire spring break.

Last November, the ban was passed by the San Diego City Council, which approved an alcohol-free beach policy for all city beaches, including Mission Bay Park and all coastal parks south of Tourmaline Surfing Park.

In joining other Southern California cities in banning alcohol at the beach, San Diego will also be improving the use of the beach for everybody.

We expect to see a dramatic decrease in alcohol-related problems such as assaults, underage drinking, drunk driving, noise, public urination, and vandalism.

This law is in effect year-round, not just during Spring Break.

Consumption of alcohol is not allowed on the beach boardwalks, along the sea walls, or in parking lots adjacent to the beaches. The alcohol ban also covers all of Mission Bay Park, all the coastal parks south of Tourmaline Surfing Park, as well as the greasy areas adjacent to the sand in Mission Beach, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach.

San Diego’s ban covers all alcoholic beverages, including distilled spirits, beer, wine, flavored malt beverages and energy drinks that contain alcohol.

If you’re ticketed for consuming alcohol on the beach, you can be fined up to $250. Repeat offenders will get to know the City Attorney’s Office even better, as we will seek higher fines and even possible jail time.

And now you know how to keep the San Diego City Attorney’s Office off your vacation itinerary.

I welcome your visit to the City of San Diego.

Be safe and have fun,

Michael Aguirre SD City Attorney