Campers Flock To Refugio State Beach For Memorial Day Weekend

Campers flocked to Refugio State Beach for Memorial Day weekend.

Last year, they were turned away after the massive spill coated the beach in oil.

Goleta residents Nancy Garcia, Lisa Schlesselmann and their families had to pack up and leave.

“We set our camp up, tents, trailers and everything. Then we saw a helicopter flying right here and we thought something is going on,” Garcia said. “We had baked potatoes in the oven and everything and they said you got to get out.”

This year, they are back at Refugio and vacationing in what they call their ‘happy place’.

“It’s our favorite place in the world. We don’t have to travel anywhere else to feel like we are in paradise,” Schlesselmann. “I think it’s pristine. It will always be pristine to us, no matter what. We come back year after year. It’s our place.”

Park rangers said the campground is sold out for the holiday weekend.