Throttled by gas, economy, vacationers say less is more

By Eddie Jimenez
The Fresno Bee

Vacationers are putting the brakes on their travel spending this summer, making stays shorter or eating out less to compensate for rising gasoline prices and the nation’s economic woes.

They’re still traveling, and this Fourth of July weekend will be no exception. Motels in Pismo Beach and Morro Bay and lodging and campsites in the region’s national parks are expected to be packed. But when it comes to vacations this year, travelers seem to be opting for less, not more.

"Less disposable cash and an overall increase in travel expenses have caused Californians to postpone or downsize their holiday getaways," Cynthia Harris, AAA of Northern California spokeswoman, said on the company’s Web site.

"But while Californians are being cautious about their spending, most are not giving up their vacation plans."

So far this summer, vacationers seem to be saving money by visiting nearby attractions and making shorter trips, officials say.

Scott Mullikin, who owns a gift and souvenir shop in Three Rivers about five miles from a Sequoia National Park entrance, says he usually sees a steady flow of tourists during the summer weeks. This year, he has noticed spikes on the weekend.

"If I had to make an educated guess, I would say people are taking longer weekend trips versus weeklong vacations."

In Pismo Beach, motel and vacation rentals are about the same as in the past, but restaurant and store owners say sales are down a bit, said Rebecca McMurry, chief executive officer of the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce.

"Once people get here, they’re holding onto their cash a little more," she said. "Those extra dollars are more than likely going into the gas tank." Nearby getaway spots — coastal towns, mountain-lake communities and the national parks — remain popular.

About 18,000 people are visiting Yosemite National Park each day, spokesman Scott Gediman said. "Believe me, there’s no shortage of people up here."

Last week’s opening of two bridges on Highway 140 to accommodate tour buses and similarly long vehicles is helping to boost park attendance.

At Shaver Lake, Sheldon Sandstrom, owner of Sierra Marina on the north end of the lake, said he has more than 35 jet skis and patio, ski and fishing boats to rent, and all are reserved throughout the coming three-day holiday weekend. Nonetheless, his business is down about 10% this summer because of a drop in gas sales and boat rentals and a noticeable decline in day-use traffic. However, demand for wet and dry boat storage is up.

Owners may be opting to keep their boats at lakes and not pay to tow them back and forth, he said.

Sandstrom also said he has seen fewer weekday visitors than in past years. Weekday visitors early in the summer typically are vacationers from out of the area, such as Los Angeles. He suspects that "people are staying closer to home."

Most Valley residents traditionally take their vacations late in the summer, he said, noting that his marina is booked for the first two weeks of August.

"I think in the end, the net result is we could have a normal year," Sandstrom said.

National parks aren’t expecting a dramatic decline in visits, said Alexandra Picavet, spokeswoman for Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, noting that she has seen an increase in European bus tours in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. "Europeans are taking advantage of the weakened U.S. dollar," she said.

Mullikin, the Three Rivers shop owner, said he did have customers from Pennsylvania, Texas and Oklahoma this week who drove to California. The families said driving was still much cheaper than flying.

Valley residents will still manage to take affordable getaways, said Mullikin, who is the vice president of the Sequoia Foothills Chamber of Commerce.

"In the business community here, we’re all under the impression that they won’t take a grand vacation, but they’re still going to take vacations," he said.