MONTEREY, CA (NCC News) – It is officially summertime and in Monterey, California the businesses and city have been eagerly waiting to get back to work and a sense of normalcy. Historically, Monterey is a tourist hot spot for those visiting California or traveling within California.
Monterey is geographically in the central coast and is just under two hours south of San Francisco.
According to SeeMontery.com, around 4.6 million people visit Monterey each year. That is a plethora for a town that has a population of just under 30,000. But with the outbreak of the coronavirus, Monterey hasn’t seen nearly the amount of tourists they are accustomed to.
However, the tides are turning.
Now in Phase 3, local businesses have been eagerly waiting for people. Those who have been in the area recognize that this is usually the busiest time of year for people to travel and take vacation. Tourism is the term that Monterey uses and loves.
Mashka Jewelry store owner Pam Elliott said she has seen a bit of traffic this week and is welcoming anyone and everyone.
“There were a couple of people that asked me last week if they had to wear a mask and I sort of wanted to say seriously,” said Elliott.
Each business is subject to their own rules with social distancing and face coverings depending on the type of business. Cannery Row is located right on the Monterey Peninsula and gets the majority of tourism in town.
Erin Preston, a candle maker at Global Candle Gallery, says she has been working in Cannery Row for three years and is surprised to see more foreigners despite COVID-19.
“I’ve seen a broad mix of people actually,” says Preston. “Like I’ve seen a lot of European tourists and like I’m not sure if they have been in the United States for a while now so that’s how they got here. Or if they already opened up international travel.”
With forward progression still to come in the reopening process, it is apparent that tourism and Monterey are meeting yet again. The heart of summer is still to come, sunny beach days awaiting, sights and shops to see, and Monterey has it all.
