Beachgoers practice physical distancing on first weekend in May

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Many people feeling confined by the stay-at-home orders took a beach break over the weekend.

The Mayor of Santa Barbara said they appeared to take physical distancing seriously after overcrowding last weekend led to beach closures in Orange County.

"I'm relieved to see that East Beach is not overcrowded, West Beach looked like it had plenty of space and Leadbetter had a few more people but the parking lot was not jam-packed," said Mayor Cathy Murillo.

Parking restrictions appear to have helped.

"Everyone seems to be pretty respectful, it's been 42 days since we've been locked down so to be six feet away from everybody else, it's pretty easy to do that," said Matt Kowalczysk.

People are reminded to be strategic.

"There's fewer people on weekdays and fewer on the mornings do there are the best time to come out," said Murillo.

The County's Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg said the beach is good for mental and physical fitness health if people keep their distance.