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Central Valley Tourists Flock to Pismo Beach Amid Heat Wave
PISMO BEACH, Calif. – With several parts of the state under an excessive heat warning, the Central Coast is a popular retreat. As temperatures continue to rise, so do tourism numbers at Pismo Beach. You’ll be hard pressed to find a local in Pismo Beach this week. Beachgoers from West Covina to Bakersfield, Fresno to Palm Springs were trying to beat the heat along our coastline.
For many from the Central Valley, the Five Cities is a welcome escape.
“Bakersfield, Hanford, Fresno, you know, it’s less than 2.5 hours, we come over here and can get cooled off,” said Patricia Haney of Bakersfield.
Why do some frequent visitors refer to Pismo as Bakersfield 2.0? Because as one visitor from Palm Springs put it, “it’s hotter than snot back home.”
Tourists aren’t fazed by a looming Central Coast heat wave.
“The fact that its 75 versus 105 its not even a comparison, its apples to apples. It is much cooler, I may even need a jacket tonight,” said a man in town from Sacramento.
Local businesses are cashing in on the heat wave. On average, Wheel Fun Rentals check out 30 to 40 rentals a day and when it gets hot, employees say it’s not unheard of for those numbers to double. “It brings out more people because people want to be at the beach when it’s hot,” said Carlos Sauceda, Wheel Fun Rentals.
However, for some, the influx of out-of-towners comes with a downside. “I’m seeing it getting really congested, there’s no places to park. We have all these nice, new, fine buildings but where is everyone going to park,” said Haney. City officials say tens of thousands of tourists will pass through Pismo Beach this summer.
