MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Fun that won’t break the tank

It’s a tough year for a holiday. With gas prices breaking $4 per gallon and forecasts of economic woes coming in regularly, it’s hard to see the traditional Memorial Day weekend road trip in quite the same light.

According to the Automobile club of Southern California, gas prices are at their highest point ever — and still rising as Memorial Day approaches. Fewer Southland residents are expected to be taking long road trips as a result.

Luckily, Huntington Beach is full of things to do, and plenty who will be on the beaches are coming from elsewhere. Learn from them, and enjoy what’s available without worrying about motels, gas stations, or finding a bathroom for the kids.

— Michael Alexander

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HIT THE SANDS

Huntington Beach has 8.5 miles of sand that more than 10 million visitors each year, according to the city Conference and Visitors Bureau. It’s easy to be one of them, especially on a the weekend that lifeguards say marks the beginning of summer crowds.

With parking topping out around $10 per day, a beach trip can be pretty economical. Swimming, surfing, volleyball, biking and other activities are all free if you have the gear. With the beginning of the summer season, lifeguards around the area beef up their staffing to handle the crowds, officials said.

One caveat: the National Weather Service is forecasting clouds and a chance of rain on Friday and Saturday, but Sunday and Monday promise clearer skies.

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HIT THE GRILL

A nationwide tradition is the Memorial Day barbecue, and Huntington Beach is no exception.

Fire rings line beaches up and down the coast, but they are first-come, first-served. That means that anyone hoping to grill up burgers on the beach should come very early and stake a claim, according to city and state officials. There’s also no supply of wood, so plan to bring in a bundle of your own or from a local grocery store.

Huntington Beach Central Park, 18000 Goldenwest St., also has built-in grills for the public on its western half near Lake Huntington; so does Murdy Park, 7000 Norma Drive. Such facilities are first-come, first-served only when no one has a reservation, so call (714) 536-5486 to find out.

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HIT THE ROAD

Already set on a trip out of town? Here are some tips from the AAA to cut down on costs:

 Avoid rush hour, which wastes gas.

 Budget ahead of time.

 Buy snacks from a grocery store instead of from the gas station.

 Plan gas stops for cities where the rates are cheaper. Generally, bigger cities have lower prices.

Also, watch out on the roads: the California Highway Patrol is declaring a “maximum enforcement period” over the whole three-day weekend. That means every available officer will be out on the highways looking for speeders, drunk drivers and people not wearing seatbelts.