Labor Day weekend draws large beach crowds in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Beaches throughout San Diego county are packed with locals and visitors enjoying the final days of summer this Labor Day weekend.

“It's definitely cool to be out on the beach for Labor Day,” said Giuliana Gastinell, a San Diego State University Student from Texas.

She and her friends, who are originally from Nevada, are embracing a different kind of fun along the coast.

“Where we’re from there's not really beaches for Labor Day weekend so it’s really just like a long weekend here it’s interesting," said SDSU student Adaly Martinez.

The group of college students also beat out the beach parking rush. 

“At first we were going to think about doing Lyft and we were like let's just try the trolley, but it was pretty easy," said SDSU student Jordyn Mitchell.

Those who decided to drive ended up braving a sea of cars. 

“It was difficult yeah because everyone wanted to get here for like Labor Day,” said San Diego resident Juan Valderrama.

Others decided to pedal their way to the coast.

“As we got closer you could see all the traffic and, of course, you get here and it's just the crowds are everywhere. a lot of excitement," said Jason Fletcher who is visiting from San Francisco.

Fletcher and his friend said they biked from Chula Vista to enjoy the warm beach weather.

San Diego Police were out on patrol and also enjoying some grilling while posted up in Mission Beach. 

“I did see a lot of police here which makes me feel safe and a lot of firefighter rescue," said SDSU student Jordyn Mitchell.

Locals like Adrian Torres bringing brought his family to the beach to make memories.

“It was definitely a lot more crowded this weekend than we experienced in other holidays even like July fourth. We did get in the water which is fun. The kids enjoyed grabbing little sand crabs," he said.

While others soak up the last days of summer, Torres said, “This actually happens to be perhaps our last weekend before we move to a new city and a new state. It's definitely a memory for sure that we want to take with us.”