Some Californians defy stay-at-home order during hot weekend

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A lingering heat wave lured people to California beaches, rivers and trails again Sunday, prompting warnings from officials that defiance of stay-at-home orders could reverse progress and bring the coronavirus surging back.

Tens of thousands of people packed the sand at Newport Beach in Orange County, where residents compared weekend crowds to July 4 and lifeguards reminded people to stay apart if they were in groups of six or more.

Neighboring Huntington Beach also saw big gatherings, despite the closure of beach parking lots and metered parking restricted along Pacific Coast Highway.

Robin Ford, a resident of the coastal city known for its pier, surveyed the crush of visitors with concern.

“Our beach is so big, that I feel people can distance themselves — but it’s a lot more crowded today,” Ford told the Orange County Register on Saturday. “Unless all these people are in one household, it does look like they are not social distancing. They could be spread out more."

Weekend temperatures reached the 80s and 90s in much of the state. While most recreation remains shuttered under various orders, officials were wary that those still open could draw people who will ignore rules to stay separated and seek sun and air after being mainly confined indoors for more than a month.

Los Angeles city and county beaches, trails and playgrounds were closed, and officers on horseback were patrolling those areas to enforce social distancing rules.

“We won’t let one weekend undo a month of progress. While the sunshine is tempting, we’re staying home to save lives,” Garcetti tweeted Sunday. “The places we love — our beaches, hiking trails — will still be there when this is over. And by staying home, we’re making sure our loved ones will be...