Since the start of February, the Central Coast has seen 20 days of rain, and that’s starting to impact local businesses.
Avila Beach, which is typically a bustling beach town, has been more of a ghost town lately.
“I don’t want to be the one to say I’m over the rain, I’m not. We need the rain, just maybe not all at once,” said Andrea Bradford, owner and winemaker at Morovino Winery.
These days, there’s a lot less wine flowing at Morovino.
“This time of year on a sunny weekend day, we’ll probably see 30 to 40 guests. Yesterday, I had two people,” Bradford added.
At Avila Beach Paddle Sports, owners say it’s the wettest winter they’ve experienced since they started in 2009. Kayak and paddleboard rentals have slowed down.
Inside Hula Hut, Liz Carrasco is busy blending 100 pounds of sugar, cocoa, and milk. But there aren’t as many customers stopping by to buy it.
“This time of year, it’s usually a lot busier. Business is down a lot for all the businesses around here,” Carrasco said.
Business owners are optimistic knowing that once the sun makes its return, so will the customers.
“When the rain does stop and the sun comes out, it really picks up and everybody comes out,” Carrasco said.