Holidays drive in for Ocean Beach's 'reverse' parade

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A crew from Skrewball whiskey gets in the holiday spirit during the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade on Dec. 5. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Vehicles prepare to enter the Dog Beach parking lot to drive through Ocean Beach’s 2020 “reverse” holiday parade. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Merry elves make their way through the “snow” to the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade. (Milan Kovacevic)

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The Yule Fest Club Wagon carries Friends of Friday Night Volleyball players to the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade on Dec. 5. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Mann Plumbing and the other participants in the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade weren’t about to let the tradition go down the toilet, though the coronavirus pandemic did force a “reverse” format. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Representatives of Newbreak Church already look prepared for Christmas Eve during the Dec. 5 Ocean Beach Holiday Parade. (Milan Kovacevic)

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A group of drive-through parade-goers is ready for Ocean Beach’s holiday tradition Dec. 5. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Sharks are out of their tank for the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Sunset Clipps barbershop/hair salon turns out for the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade on Dec. 5 in the Dog Beach parking lot. (Milan Kovacevic)

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People visit Ocean Beach’s holiday tree — traditionally known as the “crooked tree” — at the end of Newport Avenue, near the Ocean Beach Pier. (Milan Kovacevic)

By Point Loma-OB Monthly staff

Dec. 9, 2020 12:48 PM PT

Even before the unrelenting coronavirus pandemic brought a new level of state restrictions to San Diego County, Ocean Beach came up with a way to have its traditional holiday parade — with a 2020 twist.

For the first time, the floats in the “reverse” parade, held in the Dog Beach parking lot the evening of Dec. 5, were stationary while spectators drove past in order to maintain social distancing.

Santa Claus made an appearance, and visitors could drop off letters to him.

The coronavirus also couldn’t stop another Ocean Beach holiday tradition — the tree at the end of Newport Avenue, near the Ocean Beach Pier. Visitors can stop by to see it through the holidays.

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