Busy weekend expected on Sonoma County roads for Memorial Day

Despite the highest gas prices in seven months, thousands of Sonoma County residents are expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the coming summer with family and friends - enjoying beaches, barbecues or just a long weekend without the boss.

While most Americans will spend about $1 less per gallon of gas than last year to fill the family vehicle for this year’s road trip, those in the Bay Area still are feeling the sting at the pump.

The average price of a gallon of gas in the San Francisco area is $3.81, the highest since October, according to GasBuddy.com, which tracks pricing trends. While no bargain, that’s still less than last Memorial Day’s $4.26 in the Bay Area.

Experts from AAA, who compile annual travel trends, statistics and forecasts, predict a 4.7 percent increase from the 35.5 million people nationwide who traveled last year, and the highest travel volume for the holiday in 10 years.

More than 88 percent of those, or 33 million, will drive to their destination, a 5.3 percent increase from 2014.

About 4.4 million Californians plan on traveling 50 miles or more this Memorial Day weekend, up 4.6 percent from last year’s record highs, said Northern California AAA spokeswoman Cynthia Harris.

“A stronger economy and overall lower gas prices have boosted consumers’ disposable income,” she said. “This summer travel season is starting off with great potential as many Californians are eager to take that long overdue weekend getaway.”

Santa Rosa resident Kimmy Santos is one of those. She’s heading to the Bakersfield area to see family and visit a newborn niece she hasn’t met.

“I’m going to see relatives in Delano,” she said while pumping gas Wednesday in Santa Rosa. “It will be a nice long weekend to get away and not think about work and just enjoy family.”

While the gas price dings her budget, Santos said it’s worth it for a relaxing weekend.

Rob O’Rourke was visiting the Petaluma office of AAA, considering possible locations to make a quick jaunt Saturday through Monday.

“It’s expensive to drive, especially in a truck,” he said. “But I didn’t really plan anything in advance, so I’m just thinking about getting in and driving somewhere.”

He said he may visit beaches in Southern or Central California for some sun and sand.

“Maybe Monterey or Santa Cruz,” he said. “Their beaches aren’t like ours, all rocky and cold.

“With this weather, it doesn’t feel like summer yet,” he said.

If you haven’t booked a campsite, you’re probably out of luck, as county and state parks are nearly all booked. There were a few first-come, first-serve spots available on the Sonoma Coast as of late Thursday.

“Memorial Day weekend is a huge weekend in our parks, our coastal facilities in particular,” Sonoma County Regional Parks Director Bert Whitaker said. “Lots and lots of folks are headed to Doran, Westside, Stillwater, Gualala.”

Next weekend may be just as busy, he suspected, with more summerlike weather than this weekend’s expected mild temps.

State parks, too, like Salt Point and Sonoma Coast campgrounds, typically book well in advance, state parks spokesman Dennis Weber said.

The state reservation system shows more than 70 percent of campground spots statewide were full as of Thursday afternoon, ahead of last year’s record. In Sonoma County, 77 percent were full and in Mendocino County, 76 percent were booked.

For the Bay Area, the most popular out-of-town destinations for this weekend are Sonoma and Napa counties, Tahoe and Disneyland, AAA spokesman Bob Brown said, in addition to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

“For the Northern California market, we have seen a big uptick in interest for the Monterey Peninsula and the Monterey Aquarium,” he said.

Or if you are among the thousands of residents who choose to stay home and enjoy the long weekend locally, you may want to actually commemorate the reason for the holiday - to honor veterans who have died in American wars.

The event has been celebrated in various ways since the Civil War, but by the end of the 19th century, annual Memorial Day ceremonies were being held at the end of May nationwide. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities.

After World War I, the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day.

Santa Rosa’s Memorial Park Cemetery will host the annual Avenue of the Flags ceremony Monday at the Franklin Avenue site, beginning at 9 a.m. with music, followed by speakers and a flyover by the West Coast Ravens team. An honor guard will march at 10 a.m. and hot dogs and other refreshments will be available.

In Petaluma, a similar event will be held Monday at Cypress Hill Memorial Park, 430 Magnolia Ave. Beginning at 11 a.m., the ceremony includes the traditional Avenue of the Flags and guest speakers, veterans, Eagle Scouts and a color guard.

You can reach Lori A. Carter at 521-5470 or lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @loriacarter.