Lake Lopez sends Memorial Day weekend refunds to people from out-of-town
LOMPOC, Calif. - It's a tradition for a number of Lompoc families to spend Memorial Day weekend at Lake Lopez in San Luis Obispo County, but Lisa Barnes and her family had to cancel their trip because they live outside the county.
In preparation for one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, SLO County recently decided to limit tourism in hopes of protecting its community from COVID-19 spread.
This includes canceling reservations from all out-of-county residents for overnight stays at campgrounds, no matter how long ago the reservations were made.
Barnes said she is waiting for a $200 deposit she put down last year to be refunded.
She just learned her camping spot was sold to a SLO resident instead.
"This is our 7th year."
They said they take their grandchildren and enjoy spending time outdoors with them.
SLO County has kept its COVID-19 infections and death toll lower than the more populated counties along the coast.
"We are just disappointed in how they did it. We could have understood if they limited the whole park, day and night and everything, to SLO because it truly would be watching out for their community, but if we are good enough to come in the day, why can't we camp at night?" said Barnes.
Park Ranger Miles Tuinstra said they feel for their northern Santa Barbara County residents who visit often, but he said they are taking directions from the SLO Office of Emergency Services.
He said Camp Lopez is also limiting the number of daytime vehicles including boats to 320 to prevent the spread of the virus.
They hope to welcome campers from out of the area back when the county feels it is safe.
Tuinstra said they are sending out full refunds and waiving cancellations fees.
Barnes said they are making the most of the weekend by celebrating their granddaughter's 14th birthday. She said they just attended an online reveal party for her oldest daughter after she found out she was having a baby boy.
Barnes said it will the first grandson in the family.
Hopefully she will be able to bring him to Lake Lopez when the pandemic is just a memory.
