OCEANSIDE -- The beachgoers who flock to Oceanside's coast on July 4 may have to lug their coolers and umbrellas a few blocks farther than in years past, as the city is planning to close several streets near the beach, officials said Monday.

Hoping to prevent the usual holiday gridlock from blocking police officers and firefighters, the city has said that starting Friday morning it will restrict much of the traffic west of the railroad tracks between Harbor Drive and Oceanside Boulevard.

That should give public safety vehicles adequate room to maneuver -- something they haven't always had, Police Chief Frank McCoy said.

"We feel we have a very strong plan that's been very well thought-out," McCoy said.

The first barricades will go up at 4 a.m. along The Strand, which will be closed from Seagaze Drive to Surfrider Way. At 9 a.m., police will close several more streets, primarily between Surfrider Way and Wisconsin Avenue west of the railroad tracks, Sgt. Kelan Poorman said.

Traffic on those streets has been nightmarish on previous July 4 holidays, when beach crowds topped an estimated 150,000.

"You could easily get stuck doing a one-hour U-turn," said Kim Heim, executive director of MainStreet Oceanside.

From a public safety standpoint, that's unacceptable, McCoy said.

Two years ago, a balcony collapsed during a house party, and it took the fire department a half-hour to respond, McCoy said.

But the details of this year's traffic plan have confused some coastal residents who worry they'll be trapped in, or out, of their homes.

"Rumors are rampant down at the harbor as far as what is and what isn't going to occur on July 4," said one Oceanside Harbor slip renter during last month's City Council meeting.

Some confusion is due to a recent article in the city's seasonal magazine, which stated that no "residential vehicular movement" would be allowed near the beach from 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4.

That's false, McCoy said.

Residents and their guests will be allowed to enter and exit closed areas during the day, McCoy told the City Council last month. And while the city would like them to show identification to prove their residency, officers won't require it, McCoy said.

Slip renters will have access to their boats as long as there's parking available, officials said.

"I apologize to the citizens of the community for the misinformation that was put out originally," McCoy said.

Even with the best plan, traffic is always going to be bad on July 4, so it's important for residents to plan ahead and have realistic expectations, Councilman Jerry Kern said last month.

"Do not think that you can leave on the 4th of July and make a quick run to the store and back, because it's not going to be quick and it's not going to be easy," Kern said.

McCoy cautioned that all roads are subject to closure -- even to residents -- if pedestrian traffic becomes too heavy.

Public parking will be available in the Oceanside Transit Center parking structure, city lots east of the railroad tracks and on all unrestricted streets.

Handicap parking will be available at The Strand and Wisconsin Avenue. Drop-off for disabled visitors will be available via Surfrider Way.

For more information about road closures, visit msoceanside.com

Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 901-4062 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com.