As a heatwave washes over Southern California, Santa Barbara residents are taking advantage of the city’s beaches to escape the heat.
The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat advisory throughout Santa Barbara County from Tuesday morning to Thursday evening. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the high 80s to low 90s in Santa Barbara.
Leslie Perez and Stephanie Botello, who live together in a house on the Eastside, decided to cool off on the patio of Shoreline Cafe on Leadbetter Beach.
Both lifelong residents of Santa Barbara, Perez and Botello said they’ve never lived anywhere with air conditioning.
“I feel like it’s not common here in Santa Barbara to have AC,” Perez said.
But they’re used to enduring heat waves—and usually cope by going to East Beach or Leadbetter Beach, or by shopping at the mall.
Meanwhile, Easy Lift Santa Barbara is offering individuals with disabilities access to locations where they can cool off, such as malls, libraries, parks and beaches.
In addition to high temperatures, the Weather Service forecasted significant fire conditions, including strong winds and low humidity.
Due to higher wildfire risk, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric are considering a Public Safety Power Shutoff in southern and mid parts of the county.
To stay safe from the heatwave, the city’s Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to drink plenty of water, stay in air-conditioned rooms, limit outdoor activity and avoid dangerous activities that could start a wildfire.
