Families beat the heat at Orcutt’s Waller Park

ORCUTT, Calif. - Temperatures are rising across the state, and during the pandemic, it may be tricky to beat the heat.

People have been flocking to the shade at Waller Park for some comfort. Many homes in Santa Maria and Orcutt do not have AC, so sometimes that means homes can get hotter inside than it is outside.

With heat advisories in effect, you definitely want to stay cool. Many people at the park told us they came to escape their hot apartments.

Some were walking their dogs in the grass, so their dogs didn't burn their feet. Several were simply enjoying a meal in the shade of a tree.

A couple families said they were getting creative in their activities.

Francesca Feher said she was "staying inside playing video games, but we came out here because we had nuts," and her family spent the afternoon feeding the squirrels.

Some of the normal activities to stay cool are closed during the pandemic. Pools are not open for recreational swim, and pool access in general is limited.

One family at Waller Park told us they were able to use their neighborhood pool for a two hour reservation.

They also stocked up on popsicles for the week.

With excessive heat, it's easy to get heat-related illnesses like heat stroke. You will want to stay hydrated whether you are indoors or outside.