Solvang sees more visitors as city works for safe reopening

SOLVANG, Calif. - Since entering stage two, more people are visiting Solvang as businesses reopen.

Solvang, a city built on tourism, has been struggling greatly during the shelter at home order.

Local residents we talked to said they've seen a lot more out of town visitors coming to Solvang, particularly on weekends.

They've also seen shops opening for those tourists, and some residents said they are concerned about a possible uptick of coronavirus from the influx of visitors.

Right now, retail shops are allowed to be open for curbside pickup only. Restaurants are still only open for takeout in Santa Barbara County.

The city says they are organizing ways for businesses to extend their retail spaces when it is allowed again.

"We are working with businesses to create outdoor spaces, allow them to potentially close some streets," and possibly use city parking spaces to extend retail space, said Xenia Bradford, city manager for Solvang.

Extending the retail spaces outside will allow for better physical distancing since Solvang shops tend to be small.

The city and sheriff's office are taking an educate over enforce stance on reopening. If a store is not following reopening guidelines, they go in and teach the owners about the rules.

The city says many store owners are confused about what is allowed and what isn't, particularly since the guidelines are constantly changing.

There are metrics the county needs to meet before the state will let dine-in restaurants and some offices reopen.

The county is appealing to the governor, asking for modified metrics, as the Lompoc Penitentiary outbreak skews the county numbers higher.