Outside Lands Music Concert Claims Beach For Next Month

San Francisco CA

Description

If your commute takes you past Ocean Beach, you may be surprised to see it is now fenced off. The entire beach parking lot in front of the Beach Chalet is fenced off, EXCEPT for the portion directly in front of the Beach Chalet, itself - so that diners' views of the ocean are not obstructed. However, the way the fence was installed actually blocks off the exit from the parking lot, so that you can enter, but you cannot leave without violating traffic laws. I actually saw the installers open the fence at two points so that people who had entered the parking lot, looking for a place to park, could leave. From this, I infer that the portion of the parking lot that is NOT fenced off, will be reserved for Outside Lands parking, as well, and that the intention of the City & County of San Francisco is to cut off convenient access to Ocean Beach, for San Francisco citizens, for, I would estimate, an entire month - mid-October to mid-November. It's not clear what Outside Lands is paying for this privilege. But the lesson is clear: if you're not spending money, you're nobody, as far as the City & County is concerned. I watched a man going around, securing the fencing. There is a clamp installed where the fencing panels join, about six feet up, about as high as a man can reach. I saw someone going around with a battery-powered tool and tightening each clamp. Presumably, they are equally easy to un-tighten, with a similar battery-powered tool... and then, the fencing could be pushed over - just sayin'.