Cool Temperatures Result In Low Beach Attendance On Memorial Day

MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — One year ago, on Memorial Day 2014, the roads and highways were absolutely jammed with people looking to escape the heat by spending their holiday at LA's beaches.

This year produced a different story.

Cool temperatures on Monday resulted in the unfamiliar Memorial Day sight of plenty of space on the beach, with little to no traffic.

"We thought it was going to be crazy, just full of umbrellas and no parking on the street, but we were surprised," Ventura resident Nina Kobayashi said.

Lifeguards, likewise, were shocked to see the lack of beach-goers on Monday, as sweatshirts replaced swimsuits as the popular attire of the day.

When asked if he had ever seen the beach as barren on a Memorial Day as it was on Monday, LA County Lifeguard Captain Remy Smith said, "No ma'am I have not. I've been a lifeguard twenty-four years, and this is probably the slowest Memorial Day in my career."

Tourists from out of state were appreciative of the weather, despite being surprised by the lack of a crowd.

"Coming from minus-twenty-six degrees this past Winter to this, this is gorgeous," Ohio tourist Pat Podmore said. "I can take this any day."

Lifeguards did not let up on their vigilance on Monday, however, warning those beach-goers that did visit the coast that rip currents were particularly strong on south-facing beaches, such as popular Zuma Beach.

"Always surf or swim in front of an open lifeguard tower, talk to the lifeguards before you go in the water so you know what the hazards are, and if you're caught in a rip (current), just stay relaxed," Capt. Smith said.

While Malibu produced average-sized waves on Monday, surfers say the temperature produced the true challenge of the day.

"I'm on a break, I have toe-freeze right now, my foot's hurting," surfer George Zamora said. "So, I'm just warming up a little before I go back out."