On Saturday February 17 2024 about 1pm, I was denied entry to Royal Palms because I was driving my classic 1957 Chevrolet Hot Rod. I just picked up my girl and her best friend after coming from Miss Lily’s funeral at Green Hills. We grabbed some sandwiches from Sorrento’s and headed down to hang out by the water and eat. When I pulled up the attendant at the booth said we are not letting old cars go down because of an “unsanctioned car show.”
Me being in the know about the car culture around here had no idea that said event was going on. I told the attendant I had nothing to do with this “car show” we had food and we’re going down to just hang out and kick back while trying to hand them my $8. I was still denied entry., A woman that was up there had a LA County badge. Her name was Kimberly Goines. She further stated to me that she was not going to let anybody in an old car pass. she was not law enforcement, a lifeguard, or security guard, but still blocked the entry.
I was cordial with her after asking for her contact information in which she gave me. Sttill, I was confused and perplexed as I witnessed regular, newer type vehicles drive down to the beach. Since when did they stop letting old cars go down to the beach? Our public beach? Why are us classic car collectors being targeted? This also happened to my parents a couple of months ago while in their 1956 Chevrolet convertible. Another lowrider custom owner and i briefly talked to each other on the side of the road wondering why this is going on?
I know there’s been some incidents down there and from the reports I’ve read in the newspapers they’ve been “personal beefs.” Why would any county employee in plain clothes have the right or authority to stop any of us classic car owners from using our beach, whether it’s a hot rod, lowrider, volkswagen, or aclassic truck?
Gov. Newsom recently passed AB 436 a law that prohibits local governments from enacting bans on lowriding and anti-cruising ordinances. My question to the public is if I were to drive up in a Porsche or a Lamborghini, would I have been turned away? Is this discrimination in a multicultural town that prides ourselves on the cars that we’ve worked hard on and built throughout the harbor area? Where do we go from here and what’s the next step? Cruise in demonstration?
Donald Galaz
“One of many spokesmen for the San Pedro car club coalition”
Editor’s Response
I called up LA County’s Beaches and Harbors Department, the entity Kimberly Goines , and spoke with Tiffany. She explained that it was possible Ms. Goines thought you guys were trying to enter as a group to have some type of event. Tiffany noted that “carshows” are not allowed without a permit.
“In follow up I asked how car enthusiast who go to public beach just to hang out with their cars and friends and prove they are not trying to host a car show?”
I was directed to Kecia Ballard in Beaches and Harbors who is involved with code enforcement. No one picked up on the phone line was given, but I left a message. I’ll send them a link to this letter and invite the Beaches and Harbors Department to respond for everyone’s edification.
Terelle Jerricks
Managing Editor
LA County Beaches and Harbors Depart Official Statement in Response
Hi Terelle,
Per your request, here is a statement from the Department of Beaches and Harbors regarding Mr. Galaz’s letter to the editor:
At the Department of Beaches and Harbors, we want everyone to be able to enjoy the beach. Our public parking lots were built to serve the parking needs of beachgoers. That’s why we don’t allow car clubs to meet nor permit car shows in our beach parking lots, just like we don’t allow people to reserve the lots for sporting events or private parties.
Turning parking lots funded by taxpayer dollars into private event venues displaces beachgoers and poses safety concerns. It’s hard enough to find parking at the beach; we don’t want beachgoers to arrive only to discover the parking lot full because of an unpermitted car event. When that happens, our enforcement team works with law enforcement to clear the lots and cite violators.
We did deny entry to multiple vehicles on Feb. 17 because of an unpermitted car show called “Classic Wagon Fest,” which was advertised on social media. Law enforcement was summoned to help clear the lot and prevent potential safety hazards. It should be noted that this is the same beach parking lot in which five individuals were shot and wounded last year during another unpermitted event.
All visitors, no matter what they drive, are welcome to park at our beach parking lots—as long as their ultimate destination is the beach, not an unpermitted event staged in the lot itself.
Thank you,
Nicole Mooradian, Public Information Specialist
County of Los Angeles
Department of Beaches and Harbors
4701 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Office: 424-526-7878