Police patrol beaches busy with tourists on Memorial Day weekend

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Things are looked pretty different this Memorial Day weekend on Monterey beaches. Everyone was standing, strolling or surfing.

“To get out and enjoy the weather," tourist Gary Patterson said. "It’s nice, it’s not cold.”

These people drove from near and far to enjoy a bit of the sunshine.

“About three hours, I guess,” tourist Mike Wenzel said.

“It is a holiday weekend, and the weather’s very nice," Monterey Police Officer Ethan Andrews said. "There’s a lot more people in town. We have stepped up our presence on the beach.”

Monterey Police said they hadn't issued any citations yet. Instead, they were working to educate visitors about the partial beach closure, which only allows active uses of the space.

“You know, a lot of folks come from out of the area," Andrews said. "They may not be familiar with what’s happening here locally.”

So they told people about the restrictions when they first stepped onto the beach. No lounging or picnicking.

But not all of the beaches on the Monterey Peninsula looked the same today. Especially in Carmel, where a lot of people were sitting out on the sand, but in groups that were spaced out.

“Everybody’s social distancing here, except friends and family,” beachgoer Ron Stahl said.

And Carmel Police said they were regularly patrolling, but there were so many people that it was difficult to manage them all—even with extra officers working.

“People are getting restless,” Wenzel said.