What’s open on the Central Coast for Memorial Day weekend?
(KION) This Memorial Day weekend is not like any we have seen before. It's often considered an opportunity to get outside and be with friends and family, but not everything will be open yet. This is some of what you can expect to see.
Monterey County
Monterey County is still under a Shelter in Place order, but it has moved into the early part of Stage 2 of reopening. That means that retail, some personal services, and outdoor museums can open with modifications. Restaurants are still required to only offer delivery and takeout options.
Non-essential retail stores are currently only open for curbside pickup.
If you plan to head outdoors, the county allows outdoor exercise if you stay local, but gatherings and non-essential travel are not allowed.
In Pacific Grove, Lovers Point beach and park are open for limit uses only. Activities such as swimming, surfing, diving, kayaking and paddle boarding are allowed, but wading, sitting, laying, gathering, picnicking and beach sports are not allowed. The rec trail is open for walking and running, but social distancing protocols must be followed.
Pinnacles National Park announced that it is increasing access for bikes and hikers while parking areas remain closed. Bicycle and foot traffic will be allowed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Campers with advanced registration may access the park during those hours.
County parks are open for limited use, but visitors must practice social distancing and wear face coverings in public. They are open to walking, hiking, equestrian or biking, but picnic grounds, campgrounds and playgrounds are closed. Parking lots are open, but most restrooms are closed.
Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County is still under a Shelter in Place order in the early part of Stage 2 of reopenings.
That means that retail, some personal services, and outdoor museums can open with modifications. Restaurants are still required to only offer delivery and takeout options.
Non-essential retail stores are currently only open for curbside pickup.
If you plan to head outdoors, the county allows outdoor exercise if you stay local, but gatherings and non-essential travel are not allowed.
Santa Cruz County beaches are currently closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. People can cross the beach to do water sports in the ocean, and outside those hours, the beach is open for recreation.
Santa Cruz County parks are open for limited uses, along with parks in the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. Each park in the county has different restrictions, and you can read more about them here.
Parking lots partially reopened at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and Wilder Ranch State Park.
San Benito County
San Benito County is currently under a Shelter in Place order, but it has moved into the expanded Stage 2 of reopening. Gatherings are still not allowed, and residents are required to practice social distancing.
In-store retail is open at shopping centers and strip malls for essential and non-essential businesses.
Restaurants are allowed to open for dine-in services with modifications, but amenities such as bars or gaming areas are not allowed to open.
The parking lot at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation partially reopened recently.
Most state parks are still subject to temporary full closure.
