Gas prices could keep more people home for the Fourth

Fewer people expected to travel for celebrations

EVE HIGHTOWER
ehightower@modbee.com
and JOHN HOLLAND
jholland@modbee.com

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We Americans tend to celebrate Independence Day not just with fireworks, but also with the sound of cars hurtling down the highways and boats plying the waters.

This year, with gasoline prices topping $4.40 a gallon, the Fourth of July could be something many people celebrate close to home.

The California State Automobile Association forecasts a 0.8 percent decline in the number of state residents traveling more than 50 miles to holiday destinations, compared with last year.

That might not seem like much of a drop, but this year's Fourth is part of a three-day weekend, so you'd expect a least a modest uptick in travel.

Ryan Black of Modesto has canceled plans to be in San Francisco because of the fuel prices.

"It's like a $100 trip for me easy because I have a van that fits everyone so I end up driving everyone around," he said.

In lieu of a night in the city, Black plans to take his little brother to a movie and set off fireworks.

Barbara Randall of Modesto said her holiday party at home likely will be smaller than usual this year.

"I've already heard from some families that they won't be coming," she said. "They live all the way in Vaca-ville and Salinas, so I understand."

Nicole Hagler of Modesto normally leaves town but has decided to stay home to hold a party this year.

"We'll probably go to the parade and the kids will have a jump house," she said.

The expected drop in travel would be the first this decade, according to the auto club. Spokeswoman Cynthia Harris attributed it to the slow economy, the credit crunch and increased airfares, along with high gasoline prices.

Tourism experts say a shift is happening across the spectrum: People who might have flown to Europe are choosing to vacation in the United States. People who might have traveled cross-country are staying in their own states. And people who might have taken a long in-state trip are staying close to home.

All this creates opportunities for the tourism industry. For example, Yosemite National Park and its gateway communities are heavily booked for the Fourth of July weekend, park spokesman Scott Gediman said.

"We're getting Central Valley folks; we're getting Bay Area folks -- people who decide, 'Hey, we're going to a national park,' " he said.

That's money in the coffers of businesses along the way to Yosemite, such as service stations and produce stands along Highway 120 from Manteca east.

Gediman did note a counter-trend: The number of visitors from Asia and Europe is up because of the weak U.S. dollar, which makes travel to the United States a relative bargain even with high airfares.

Gediman said the park also benefits from the heavy use of shuttle and tour buses, which burn less fuel per passenger than private cars.

The Stanislaus National Forest also is part of the trend toward short trips, spokesman Pat Kaunert said.

"We are proximal to the San Joaquin Valley and the Bay Area, and because of that, it's not that long a drive to get here and go camping," he said.

Don Pedro Reservoir is attractive because many people can get there after a relatively short highway trip, freeing up money for boat fuel, said Carol Russell, who manages recreation at the foothill destination.

She added that many visitors cut their boat engines after a little time on the lake, further saving fuel.

"A lot of people will pull into a cove, stop and swim and just relax," she said.

David Herrera of Atwater plans to head for the foothills regardless of the cost of driving.

"My wife wants to go to the casino," he said. "We'll probably do that. We only do a few trips a year and stay close, so it's not too expensive for us."

Bee staff writer Eve Hightower can be reached at ehightower@modbee.com or 578-2382.

Bee staff writer John Holland can be reached at jholland@modbee.com or 578-2385.