Giving the finger to the California taxpayer but also "Expressing sympathy for the state Department of Parks and Recreation's fiscal woes" the California Coastal Commission voted 11-1 to grant the agency to install a machine to collect fees to park at the popular Tamarack Surf Beach in Carlsbad.

Tamarack beach parking to cost $8 as fee is OK'd

The decision leaves just one state beach with free parking out of 12 in the county. Ironically, the remaining free lot also is in Carlsbad, at North Ponto State Beach.

"We share the philosophy that parks should be free," Ronilee Clark, state parks superintendent for the San Diego Coast District, told the commission as it met in Marina del Rey. "Unfortunately, we face a budgetary situation that hasn't been faced before."

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Parks officials have said the fee can generate $250,000 to $500,000 a year at the lot, just south of downtown Carlsbad. The 122-space lot is popular with visitors who stop for an hour or two to eat lunch, surf or stroll along the city's beachfront promenade.

Carlsbad Mayor Bud Lewis spoke against the fee and criticized state officials as poor fiscal managers.

"This proposal goes against the spirit of affordable coastal access (for) all visitors," Lewis told the commission. "Charging young families, seniors and other coastal users an $8 fee to attempt to fund the (state's) projected $20 billion deficit is not the way to make ends meet."

He called for "proper fiscal discipline at the state level." The city and neighbors complained that the fee will only encourage beach users to park on city streets.

I wonder how much of this is about the $8 fee or the parking ticket for not paying... 

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$8 To Park At Tamarack Surf Beach