Many in County Take Advantage of Clear, Sunny Skies

When asked about Saturday’s weather, 5-year-old Reid Martinez had just one thing to say before he bolted toward the jungle gym at Plaza Park: “It’s fun!”

After a week of rain and mostly chilly temperatures, who could disagree.

For county residents, Saturday’s warm sun and clear skies were a wonderful departure from the soggy, cool weather that has dogged Southern California for more than a week.

“It’s unbelievably warm and so beautiful,” said Reid’s mother, Rose Martinez of Ventura. “It’s so much better than what we’ve been getting.”

Troy VanNatta, who was also at the park enjoying the clear, sunny skies with his 2-year-old son, Steven, agreed.

“It’s the best day we’ve had this year,” he said.

All over Ventura County, people cured cases of cabin fever with outdoor jaunts.

And for business owners, that was a blessing.

“We’ve had a lot more business than we’ve had over the last week,” said Ed Elrod, co-owner of Ventura Books on Main Street. “There’s been a lot of urban refugees out today because of the weather.”

Even the beaches, often deserted in January, were peppered with the occasional sun worshiper.

“There’s been a lot more people down here than we’ve had in the past couple of weeks,” said county lifeguard Mark Thompson, who patrols San Buenaventura State Beach. “The weather has just been great.”

At Surfer’s Cove, more than 50 people showed up to watch the fourth annual Ventura Bodyboarding Competition, featuring some of the sport’s top amateurs. More than 140 competitors from around the state showed up to compete.

“The conditions today have been pretty good, except for maybe the wind,” contest organizer Carol Phillips said. “The waves have been solid and everyone’s having a good time.”

Farther north, more than 40 surfers crowded the lineup at Surfers Point in Ventura to take advantage of the watery bounty.

Darryl Sneed of Ojai said conditions couldn’t be better.

“The surf is good, the wind’s offshore and the weather’s great. What more could you ask for?” he said, smiling.

But according to the National Weather Service in Oxnard, the respite from the rain may not last.

Meteorologist Bruce Rockwell said the sun and warm temperatures will hold through today, with highs reaching the mid-60s to upper 70s. A weak frontal system, however, is expected to roll through the area tonight.

Scattered showers are predicted for Monday and Tuesday with highs climbing only to the mid-60s.