More than 2 million residents of Los Angeles and surrounding counties are expected to hit the road this Labor Day weekend, experts say--fully justifying the region's reputation as home to sun-loving road warriors.
More than 90% of an estimated 2.5 million Southern Californian travelers are driving this weekend, to such destinations as the Grand Canyon, San Francisco and Monterey, according a survey by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
Despite a sluggish economy, the number of travelers is expected to be about the same as last year. But based on the most popular destinations, Auto Club officials say it appears Southern Californians will drive farther this weekend.
Last year's most popular Labor Day vacation spots were all in California, with San Diego leading the list. This year, the Grand Canyon tops the list, with Anaheim, home to Disneyland, coming in second.
California Highway Patrol spokeswoman Katrina Lundgren said roads started to get congested early Friday, a condition that will last through the weekend.
"This really is the last hurrah for summer, and the incoming and outgoing traffic will be bad," Lundgren said.
Lower gasoline prices could be one reason.
Statewide, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded is $1.62, compared to $1.74 last year. In Southern California, motorists are paying nearly 50 cents a gallon less today than the May record high price of $2.01 a gallon.
RVs and People Flock to Beaches
Along Ventura's Rincon Highway, it was the warm weather and clear blue skies on Friday that attracted early holiday throngs. About 125 RVs lined up nose-to-tail along the strip, sandwiched between the railroad tracks and the sun-brightened sea.
Maria Pink, who drove over from landlocked Glendora, set up a card table and saved a spot for her brother. She played a game of Uno with her kids, Brandon and Riley, and a friend, and planned a laid-back weekend.
"It's so easy," she said. "You don't have to fish. You don't have to hike. Here, you can just veg out."
In Orange County, the last gasp of summer began traditionally: with clogged highways, bustling beaches and thick crowds at Disneyland.
Lt. Kyle Lindo, a Huntington Beach lifeguard supervisor, said beach attendance could reach 100,000 during the weekend. A regular summer day crowd tops out at about 45,000.
"For a lot of people, this is their last opportunity," he said. "The surf is going to be good, and we expect this to be the busiest beach weekend of the year."
