TRAVEL & RECREATION — When you envision a California getaway, you may picture scenic shorelines, crashing waves and sun-kissed skies. You can find all of that and more if you make your way to California’s Central Coast.
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Heat, the holiday and less restrictive rules drove more people to the Southern California area beaches on Memorial Day, unofficially kicking off summer.
Many showed up on the sand ready to walk or jog. Some hit the waves to surf or take a cool dip. Others, however, brought towels to lay out, prompting lifeguards to remind them that sunbathing remains prohibited.
“People are down here, they seem to be behaving themselves,” said Newport Beach Marine Safety Chief Mike Halphide.
Monday was slower than the rest of the weekend, when Newport Beach saw an estimated 60,000 people each day.
“For a holiday weekend, that would be what we would expect,” Halphide said. “There’s a little more pent-up desire to go to the beach and get out and recreate. Even in my own neighborhoods, all the parks are full. The weather is beautiful, so they want to get out.”
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It’s supposed to be hot this weekend across Southern California, which means you may be considering a trip to your favorite beach.
But before you plunge into the water, you might consult the environmental advocacy group Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card, which evaluates water quality and pollution levels at 500 of the state’s beaches.
While state commissioners said they do not believe off-road vehicles on the beach at the Oceano Dunes is compatible with California’s Coastal Act, they decided that activity can continue as is at the beach for now. But the Coastal Commission said it needs to see meaningful change from State Parks to address serious environmental and public health effects of riding in the popular park by next year.
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