Campers’ Holiday Weekend Pretty Cool : Weather: Chilly temperatures in store as Ventura County beaches and parks are clogged by those bidding farewell to summer.

Sitting in front of a smoky campfire, Dana Hanson said she had hoped that it would be bright and sunny Saturday for summer’s last hurrah this Labor Day weekend.

But by 1 p.m., the clouds and fog at Emma Wood State Beach had not lifted and she and two friends from Hesperia looked sulkily at the damp logs that were creating more smoke than warmth.

“We wanted to come down and go swimming, but the sun hasn’t quite come out yet,” she said, dressed warmly in pants and a shirt. “Maybe it will come out tomorrow.”

These folks were among the many who clogged the campsites, beaches and parks in a final weekend escape before autumn begins next week. Many had hoped for radiant sun but thought it important to be in the fresh breeze, no matter how cool it was.

“This was probably the coolest summer in four years,” said Bruce Rockwell, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

“The last few summers have been unusually hot so people think this one is colder than it actually is,” he said.

The chilly weather, although a downer for some, was nothing new, according to the National Weather Service. Saturday’s mild temperatures were not unusual for this time of year and will continue through the weekend, Rockwell said.

“Basically, it’s typical late summer weather, with highs in the 70s on the coast and 80s inland.”

The dreary conditions didn’t dampen most spirits on the beach Saturday afternoon. All campsites were filled to capacity and traffic crawled along portions of the Ventura Freeway.

Claudia Lurie, 47, had come to Ventura from Ojai because her 12-year-old wanted to surf on his last weekend before school started.

“I’m fine with the fog and he doesn’t mind at all,” she said. “It’s their last weekend and I’m just doing what they want to do.”

The sun didn’t peek out from the clouds near the beach until close to 3 p.m. Saturday, but the children didn’t mind the haze and frolicked in the sand and surf.

“The kids are more resilient to the cold and they just keep busy,” Hanson said, watching her children run in the water. “They never get cold because they can’t keep still.”

Although the weather was nothing to write home about, the waves were something special, according to Brian Ketterer, permanent lifeguard at Emma Wood State Beach.

“This is good surf,” he said as he watched the smattering of swimmers trying to stand on their boards. There were more than the usual number of surfers but fewer beach patrons because of the clouds, he said.

Although the waves were good and there were some riptides, Ketterer said he didn’t expect problems.

“By Labor Day, most people are back in the habit of swimming and the lifeguards are more seasoned and prepared,” he said. “Earlier in the year, we’ll get more rescues because people aren’t in shape. But by this time, everybody’s in sync and enjoying the last holiday before school starts.”

While lifeguards watched the swimmers, the California Highway Patrol monitored motorists on highways, Sgt. Dave Robertson said.

“Our concept is called ‘in view patrol,’ ” he said. “When people see the ugly black-and-white car, it reminds them to put on their seat belt and drive more safely.”