While Angelenos plans their 2016 resolutions, beach blankets are flying off store racks as people resolve to visit L.A.’s shores more often.
Target store shopper Candace Canton begrudgingly filled her cart with beach blankets, coolers, chairs, towels, and a tent. “It’s criminal to live so close to the beach and never go,” she said. “I’m really hoping I’ll be disciplined enough to go this weekend.”
Canton, who’s lived in Los Angeles for nine years, says she’s only been to the beach once. “I live in Silver Lake so it’s really far,” she says. “But it’s the beach. I’m going to force myself to enjoy it this year.”
Glendale Target employee DeMark McGee says that shoppers are somewhat uncertain of which beach gear to buy. “Most people never go to the beach, so we’ve been busy answering a lot of the same questions,” he said while on break. “Most of these people just need some encouragement to stick with their goals. I promise them they can do this, they can go to the beach.”
Husbands Steve and Fletcher Feinstein of West Hollywood will be offering classes teaching people how to prepare for enjoying the beach. “What with parking, food, and skin care, you can imagine people’s fears before committing to a beach day,” Steve said. “But because the beach is only a mere 6-14 miles from most people in this city, we want people to feel prepared for braving the beauty of our finest natural resource.”
Others, like those who tried to make going to the beach a goal in 2015, are already offering advice. “My biggest thing is that I didn’t know what to do once I got there,” said Nicole Mostoffson, a resident of Hancock Park. “No one prepares you for the hours you have to kill. And sometimes there’s not even cell reception. Just know what you’re getting into before you commit to a resolution like this.”
