Remote workers descend on San Diego for massive beach meet up — then the city ruined everything

San Diego’s viral “work-from-the-beach” craze may be getting hauled back to shore after city officials shut down future mass remote-work meetups unless organizers obtain costly permits.

An “office on the sand” event at Law Street Beach in March drew more than 100 workers sporting laptops and surfboards for a morning of coworking by the ocean — as part of a event curated by social media personality Scott Muirhead—who is known for his scenic and unconventional remote workplaces.

Two men at a beach, one seated at a desk with a laptop and the other holding a sign that reads "MAKE REMOTE WORK REMOTE." — An “office on the sand” event at Law Street Beach in March drew dozens of remote workers with folding desks, laptops, surfboards, and beach chairs for a morning of coworking by the ocean. Instagram/@Scottymuirhead

But while the official event ended at noon, the city took issue with what came after.

“People hung out the rest of the day,” Muirhead told Times of San Diego. “More people showed up, they brought and left alcohol on the beach. A couple of guys went into the alleys of PB just picking up random chairs and tables, then left them at the beach. I think that struck a nerve.”

A group of men in shirts and ties with swim trunks at a "remote work meetup" on the beach. — City officials shut down future mass remote-work meetups unless organizers obtain costly permits. Instagram/@scottymuirhead

Muirhead said the beach partiers were not connected to his event. He explained that his gathering only included “office-appropriate Pop Up Bagels and coffee,” and argued the scene was similar to any typical sunny Friday at the beach.

Still, San Diego officials made clear they were not amused.

“Organized events at Parks and Recreation facilities with more than 49 participants require a permit,” city spokesperson Benny Cartwright said, noting that permits can include fees, insurance mandates, security requirements, and other conditions depending on the size and nature of the event.

A person stands next to a desk set up outside "The Cardiff Office" bar, with a sign on the desk that reads "HR CALLED THE CITY". — A second planned beachside coworking meetup at La Jolla Shores was scrapped after the city’s warning. Instagram/@scottymuirhead

A man in a shirt and tie, with a sign reading "HR Called the City," stands in front of "The Cardiff Office" with a laptop set up on a desk. — Participants were instead relocated to a private gathering at “The Cardiff Office” –a local by-the-beach dive bar. Instagram/@scottymuirhead

A second planned beachside coworking meetup at La Jolla Shores was scrapped after the city’s warning. Participants were instead relocated to a private gathering at “The Cardiff Office” — a local by-the-beach dive bar.

Muirhead is scheduled to meet with city officials on Tuesday to discuss whether future beach office events can move forward legally.

Scott Muirhead on a beach holding a sign that says "Make Remote Work Remote". — Officials also previously targeted popular pop-up DJ parties in city parks, citing permit, insurance, and safety concerns. Instagram/@Scottymuirhead

The remote-work beach battle is just the latest clash in San Diego’s growing war over public-space gatherings, according to the outlet.

A remote work meetup on the beach with a laptop on a surfboard, a person's bare feet in the sand, and people networking in the background. — The remote-work beach battle is just the latest clash in San Diego’s growing war over public-space gatherings. Instagram/@scottymuirhead

In 2024, the city attempted to crack down on beach yoga instructors before losing in federal court, where judges ruled yoga classes constituted protected speech.

Officials also previously targeted popular pop-up DJ parties in city parks, citing permit, insurance, and safety concerns.

Muirhead, however, appears determined to keep the beach-office dream alive, with another large-scale event tentatively planned for May 27.

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