Memorial Day weekend brings steady beach crowds

People from in and out of town flocked to the Florence beaches for the long weekend.

Known touristy areas.

But are people listening to that advice?

Kezi 9 news reporter julian minisohn went to the coast today to see if people are taking advantage of those newly opened beaches -- all while keeping their distance.

(julian) i've been back and forth to the north jetty beach here in florence a couple times during the day.

Earlier in the day the crowds were kind of scarce.

As the day has gone on the crowds have increased slowly and steadily bringing in people from in and out of the area.

(scot) "get out of your houses man.

Get of your houses and have fun."

Beach parking lots were getting packed as people were looking for fun in the sun on this long weekend.

(jen) "i just needed to get out of seattle.

Everybody is still on lock down.

It's been over two months and i have a tiny studio.

Even with crowds increasing throughout the day -- those i talked to still felt safe on the shores.

(jen) "i feel like this is one of the safest places you can be.

Just because it's fresh air coming in from the ocean.

It's not like miami beach where you can be next to someone.

You're going to be pretty spaced out.

I had no fears at all."

One florence resident i talked to didn't mind people coming in from out of town.

(braxton) "people want to get out and go for a drive and see what's going on a little bit.

There's still a lot of things that are closed up.

So things are looking up for us."

(julian) coming up at the top fo the hour at 6, i talked to one local business who is happy to see the amount of crowds coming in on this memorial day weekend.

Reporting in florence, julian mininsohn, kezi 9 news.