California’s 1,100 miles of coastal beaches, many with soft sand and great waves and fun piers, are among the state’s greatest assets, destinations for locals and visitors alike.
But new research shows that for many Californians the beach is out of reach.
While the beach itself is intended to be free or inexpensive, ancillary expenses and social barriers often make it tough for low-income residents to enjoy a day on the sand.
This week, legislation was introduced in Sacramento aimed at fixing that problem. If passed, Assembly Bill 250 would direct the Coastal Conservancy to develop new low-cost accommodations, and improve existing affordable accommodations, with the goal of making a trip the beach more accessible for families who don’t have a lot of money and might have to travel far.
“It’s heartbreaking to see lower income families and middle class families who never have seen the beach or enjoyed waking up to the sounds of tides and the salt in the air,” said Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) who introduced the legislation Monday.
To continue reading this article by Lauren Williams, go to: http://www.mercurynews.com/201...want-to-change-that/
Comments (0)