Sun Sleeps In : Labor Day Weekend Crowds Perk Up After the Clouds Finally Pass On

Helene Schulz said the overcast skies Sunday morning simply meant a change in holiday strategy.

“We started out for Huntington Beach, but when the sun didn’t come out at the beach, we decided to take a ride on the Balboa ferry,” she said. “We’re still going to have a good day.”

All over Orange County, the uncooperative sun on Sunday cut down the size of crowds and reduced beach-area traffic somewhat. But the last big weekend of summer nonetheless drew thousands to the coast from San Clemente to Seal Beach.

A big tourist magnet, as usual, was the Fun Zone area of the Balboa Peninsula.

Amid the sound of tinkling merry-go-round music and the smell of fresh-baked pizza, people of all ages strolled the colorful Fun Zone boardwalk. Tourists said they were happy because it was relaxing to be by the sea on a long weekend. And residents of Balboa Peninsula said they were happy because the crowds of summer visitors would soon be gone.

“It gets much better after Labor Day,” said Tom Tyson, a Balboa resident, referring to the parking problem on the crowded peninsula. Tyson, however, was himself enjoying the tourist activities on Sunday. He took his two grandchildren for a ride on the Fun Zone Ferris wheel.

“You could see a lot of boats from up there,” said 8-year-old Julia Spaulding, pointing to the top of the Ferris wheel.

Actually, fewer boats dotted Newport Harbor on this Labor Day weekend. “It’s been light today,” said Deputy Mike Young of the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol, as he tied up his patrol boat at the Fun Zone. “Of course, a lot of people are already gone. They took their boats to Catalina Island earlier this weekend.”

The Balboa Pier also drew a smaller crowd than usual on Sunday because of the overcast sky, lifeguards said.

Some visitors were not amused by Sunday’s gray skies. “We’re bummed because we came here to get a tan,” said Diane Viola, 19, of Fontana. She and her sister, Ginelle Viola, 22, also of Fontana, had rented a nearby beachfront apartment for the Labor Day weekend. But Ginelle said there was a nice side to the sunless morning: “It hasn’t been crowded.”

Finally, about 12:45 p.m., the sun broke through the clouds. And, as if on cue, traffic on Balboa Boulevard picked up. The line waiting for the ferry almost instantly doubled. The hunt for parking spaces became more frantic.

The Labor Day weekend car queue thus took on its more traditional, crowded look by late afternoon. But city officials noted that Labor Day is the great turning point: the last traffic storm before the calm.

“After Labor Day, it’s like the difference between day and night,” said Newport Beach City Manager Robert L. Wynn. “Life returns to normal for the people of the Balboa Peninsula after Labor Day. They’ll be able to drive from one end of the peninsula to the other in 15 minutes, whereas now it can take an hour, if not entirely blocked by traffic gridlock.”

Residents of other beach cities expressed similar sentiments.

“In September we get the beach back to ourselves,” said San Clemente Mayor Candace Haggard. “Actually, those of us who live here know that September is our nicest month at the beaches. It’s still very warm, the kids are in school, and the crowds are gone.”

On this Labor Day weekend, the crowds were fading, but not quite gone. And while overcast skies altered plans for Helene Schulz and others, there was still plenty to do.

In the Balboa Fun Zone, for instance, Sue Butler and Pam Matsufuji, both of Fountain Valley, found enjoyment Sunday afternoon just sitting on a bench and enjoying a take-out Chinese lunch.

“The crowds may be smaller, but they’re still plenty here for people-watching,” said Matsufuji.

And in the background, a ticket-seller emoted over a Fun Zone loudspeaker. The ticket-seller’s voice, urgent with the passing seconds of summer’s last hurrah, intoned: “Get your tickets now for the harbor cruise! Get aboard and see John Wayne’s old house! Get your tickets now !”