Hot weather draws big crowds to Pismo Beach despite county’s stay-at-home order

San Luis Obispo County remains in a stay-at-home order, but you wouldn’t have known it from the crowds who flocked to Pismo Beach on Saturday.

Unexpected hot weather drew hundreds of people to Pismo and elsewhere along the coast, despite the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

In response, the county sent out a news release Sunday morning once again asking people to follow state and local guidelines about limiting group activities and unnecessary travel.

“We’re enjoying some really nice weather, and I too would like to be hanging out at the beach with my friends but now is not the time to gather in groups,” Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said. “Our county has done a terrific job so far of keeping our rate of new COVID-19 infections in check, and we don’t want to risk undoing all that good work.”

The reminder came one day big crowds headed to the coast looking for a break in the heat.

In downtown Pismo Beach, long lines extended from both sides of local favorite Splash Cafe, with patrons just barely keeping a 6-foot distance. A small crowd waiting for take-out also gathered closely in front of Cool Cat Cafe. Very few people were wearing masks.

Pismo Beach Mayor Ed Waage said he checked the beach that morning. “It was more crowded than I’d like to see,” he said.

To discourage people from lingering in public, the city is following SLO County guidelines by reducing the parking meter time to one hour. It also closed the last block of Pomeroy Avenue for deliveries only, with the hope people would practice proper social distancing and not congregate.

“The shelter-at-home order is still in effect, and the only people that should be out are essential workers.” Waage said. “We are trying to find out what works best that encourages people to go to the beach and take a walk or jog and not congregate.”

The SLO County emergency order does not limit people visiting the beach.

”Pismo Beach will strictly enforce physical distancing requirements on beach,” the ReadySLO.org website says. “People may visit beaches to walk, jog, surf and swim but must keep a distance of at least six feet from other people.” Pismo Beach Pier is closed to the public.

Pismo Beach Police Chief Jake Miller said his officers were checking the beach and people were mostly following the 6-foot rule.

“We are adhering to the SLO County Public Health emergency order,” he said. “The police units are using a compassionate approach.”

“Many of the groups were families that lived together,” Miller said. “We had police assets (officers) on the beach who spoke with people who were not in compliance. People did not seem to mind that we asked. We did not know we’d get hit with a heat wave in the middle of a stay-at-home order. It took us by surprise.”

Waage was not surprised that so many people headed to the coast when the weather warmed.

“We knew this time of year was going to be a challenge,” Waage said. “We’re trying to do best practices as a city to keep people safe. We work together with the County Health Administrator Wade Horton and are in regular contact with our leadership.”

If you go outside, follow these guidelines

With another warm day forecast Sunday, health officials urged residents who might want to venture outdoors to follow guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Check for any local restrictions at city, county, and state recreational areas.

• Avoid gathering with others outside of your household.

• Stay at least six feet from others at all times and avoid crowded areas.

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• Bring hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to use if soap and water are not available.

For more information, visit ReadySLO.org or call the recorded Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903. The county also staffs a phone assistance center at (805) 543-2444 for COVID-19 questions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Hot weather draws big crowds to Pismo Beach despite county’s stay-at-home order."