Tourists and locals alike flock to Avila Beach and Pismo Beach for Memorial Day weekend
AVILA BEACH, Calif. - Restaurants and retail shops are reopening just as Memorial Day weekend hits. Many visitors are taking the opportunity to go to the beach.
Hundreds of cars lined the streets of Avila Beach for Memorial Day weekend.
For the first part of Sunday, the main parking lot was closed to discourage visitors. It was later reopened temporarily because of the safety hazard of cars parked on the side of the road.
Bakersfield residents Crystal Anglin and Stephanie Prokuski said they couldn't wait to go the beach for sunshine and fun.
It's not as crowded as a normal memorial day weekend at the beach, and beachgoers like Anglin and Prokuski said they are able to physical distance from each other.
Business owners also said everyone was staying respectful of state and county guidelines.
"People are just looking to see where they're going to put their beach chairs or their beach towels," said Sara Elena Loaiza, owner of Casa San Miguelito in Avila Beach. "Even when they're walking, if they see you're coming towards them, they'll move aside."
San Luis Obispo County officials said in the Friday public health conference that they are not encouraging tourists to visit. Beach visitors Sunday said they are not concerned about the spread from county to county.
"For the most part, people are taking their cautions well," said Anglin.
Prokuski said businesses are taking the pandemic very seriously and are sanitizing everything. "If we go place to place, I feel safe like everyone is doing their part," she said.
Beachgoers and businesses alike say they are glad shops and restaurants are open again.
"The community itself, the business owners, are very excited about phase two," said Loaiza. She is starting to get more calls at her bed and breakfast.
"A lot of people I know have lost jobs," said Avila Beach resident John Charles Ensor. "I have a lot of friends on welfare now." He said that businesses reopening should help the economy.
No citations for physical distancing have been given at either Avila Beach or Pismo Beach this weekend. Officials say they hope to maintain that through the holiday.
