LA JOLLA, Calif., (KGTV)— Record-setting water temperatures are inviting tourists, locals, and wildlife out to the beaches.
There is a constant flow of customers at water tours and rental shops all over La Jolla. At “Everyday California,” kayak tours are fully booked almost a week in advance. You’re lucky if they can take you as a walk-in.
“The rentals have been picking up, just because people are definitely noticing that the water is warmer,” Everyday California manager, Peter Kosulin, said.
Sensors at La Jolla Scripps pier are detecting temperatures at nearly 80 degrees — the same as Hawaiian waters.
Rachel Mulvaney brought her friends visiting from Denver and Salt Lake City to La Jolla Shores for a half-day of snorkeling.
With the warmer-than-usual weather, she is one of the thousands of San Diegans, now feeling like tourists in their own beaches.
“I’m a big pansy when it comes to cold water, so getting in right now is so refreshing,” Mulvaney said.
The warm water temperatures also have an impact on wildlife.
“We have the leopard sharks trying to show their face, the sea turtles are out more often, the sea lions are playing around, so it’s really nice during this time of year, because all the wildlife is enjoying the water just as we are, so it just kind of brings everyone together,” Kosulin said. Warmer waters help accelerate the pregnancy process for female leopard sharks, Kosulin noted, which is why there have been many recent sitings of the creatures in La Jolla's shallow waters.
Meteorologists said a heat-wave is on its way, so warm water temperatures will continue for the next few days.
