Summer kickoff

Fernando and Maria Aguirre have lived in Huntington Beach for 32 years so you’d think they’d want to get away for the Memorial Day weekend. But you won’t find them with the millions of other Californians expected to take a road trip this holiday.

Fernando, 67, and Maria, 69, say they love being right here at home because there’s so much to enjoy in Huntington Beach. The Aguirres plan to see “Hamlet” at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa and attend their daughter-in-law’s birthday party on Sunday.

Donna Davis of Huntington Beach hasn’t decided if she’ll stay home or make a get-away to Las Vegas. Davis and her husband, Keith, plan to hang out at the beach if they stay home.

Al Kaufman, 66, definitely plans to enjoy Huntington Beach this weekend. He and his wife live a block from the beach and said, “We enjoy not being on the road, not fighting the traffic.”

While the Davises, Aguirres, and the Kaufmans are deterred by factors other than rising gas prices, a growing trend among Californians, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. The club estimates about 3.1 million Southern Californians will take extended trips this weekend, which is only a 1.6% increase compared with last year. About 2.57 million will get behind the wheel while more than 455,000 will fly. The increase, which is modest compared with what the club was expecting, indicates that high gas prices are affecting travel plans, club officials say.

If, like seemingly many others, you stay home for the holiday weekend, there are many things to do in Huntington Beach.

Duke’s chef David Bauman said the restaurant averages 600 to 900 entrees a day over the weekend. But you don’t necessarily have to worry about a reservation, Baumann added.

“We cater to the locals but we leave a section of the reservation desk open to walk-ins,” Baumann said. “Most of our locals know” the scheduling.

In case you want to do the cooking yourself, Baumann suggests flat iron steaks for the grill. Backyard chefs can pick them up at stores like Bristol farms. A flat iron steak is a shoulder-cut, but it tastes like sirloin, Baumann said.

Add a dash of zest with bell peppers, Portobello mushrooms, minced garlic, zucchini, egg plant, (any firm vegetables that will hold their shape on a skewer) kosher salt, cracked pepper, olive oil, minced garlic, a splash of balsamic vinegar and throw them “right on the grill.”

“For me, it’s a favorite time of year,” Baumann said, adding it’s time to have fun.

There’s plenty more to do locally this Memorial Day weekend. Check our calendar of events at right for more.