Some Get an Early Start on Getaways

Charles and Linda Wigand looked out their window Thursday morning and saw clear blue skies.

That did it. Within hours, the Diamond Bar couple had loaded up their Chevy Blazer and were heading north for a holiday weekend of camping, fishing and leisurely reading.

Like dozens of other holiday revelers who descended upon Ventura County’s campgrounds and beaches Thursday, the Wigands hoped that their early start would land them a good camping spot on Easter weekend--one of the busiest times of the year.

After being turned down at three crowded campgrounds, they got lucky at McGrath State Beach in Oxnard. Not only did they get a spot for the night, they chose one closest to the beach.

“He brought his fishing pole; I brought my books,” Linda Wigand said as her husband continued unloading gear from their truck. “We’re not going to do much.”

McGrath State Beach still had plenty of camping spots left Thursday afternoon. But Ranger Richard Rojas said they will probably all be gone by late today.

Campsites at some Ventura County beaches, including Thorne Hill Broome Beach, have been reserved for as long as three months, he said.

“Spring break is one of the busiest weekends for state campgrounds,” said Rojas, chief ranger of the Channel Coast District.

Others were preparing for the holiday weekend in different ways. At the Ventura County Rescue Mission in Oxnard, director Carol Roberg spent Thursday organizing a dinner menu for Sunday.

The Rescue Mission will feed about 300 homeless people at noon Sunday. But instead of the traditional Easter dinner of ham, mission cooks will be serving barbecued steak, Mexican rice and beans, tortillas and salsa, Roberg said.

“We think we will draw more people by offering this type of fare,” Roberg said.

Several churches throughout the county will offer sunrise services Sunday. Churches, youth clubs and other organizations are also sponsoring Easter egg hunts and other activities for children.

The outdoor crowd will benefit from fair weather throughout the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Highs will hover from the upper 60s to mid-70s today through Sunday, said Dennis Tussey, spokesman for the National Weather Service in Oxnard. There may be early morning fog, but it will burn away before noon, Tussey said.

That was good news for the seven girls and two boys who arrived at McGrath State Beach on Wednesday for an early start on spring break partying. The girls, from an all-girls Catholic high school in Woodland Hills, and the boys, from Pierce College, sat outside on lawn chairs Thursday sizing up their coming weekend.

“We’re going to sit around and party,” said Dan Levack, 20, wearing a black Iron Maiden baseball cap. “Get away from the city for a while.”