Warm Valentine's Day Boosts Crowds At Southland Beaches
SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — While the East is preparing for yet another round of winter weather, beaches in the Southland saw big crowds trying to escape the heat on Saturday.
CBS2's Adrianna Weingold reported that it looked nothing like winter on the Santa Monica pier, with tourists and locals taking the opportunity to soak up some sun — or seek some shade.
"I don't know whether I could handle your summer, being from England I think I would just burn," said Kayleigh Davis, who was visiting Southern California. "Already I'm having to apply factor 50 sun cream."
Saturday was a perfect day for parasailing, bike riding, and sunbathing, pretty much anything involving the sun, sand and surf was a sure bet for a fun and relaxing time.
"It's amazing, it's sunny, it's, it's a dream," said 11-year-old Spencer Hodkinson,
On a picturesque day that drew in thousands to the beach, lifeguards kept a close eye on the water, as people splashed around and cooled off.
"Yeah, I jumped over waves," said Sherman Oaks resident Alexa Schensul,
Some tourists, like Rebecca Abbott, were caught off guard by the heat. She's visiting from Australia, and thought she would get a break from the sunshine on her winter getaway.
"We were expecting it to be cool and we brought jumpers and things like that, and we haven't had to wear them," said Abbott, who is from Sidney.
Quite the opposite of the East Coast. where one storm after another continues to pummel the region.
"Yeah, I feel bad for them right now, we were talking about that this morning," said Chris Romero, who is visiting from Texas. "They're like in the 20s and below or something like that, and here we are in California living the good life."
Big crowds are expected at the beaches again on Sunday, with weather expected to be similar to Saturday's.