SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) While the East is preparing for yet another round of winter weather, beaches in the Southland saw big crowds trying to escape the heat on Saturday.

CBS2s Adrianna Weingold reported that it looked nothing like winter on the Santa Monica pier, with tourists and locals taking the opportunity to soak up some sun or seek some shade.

I dont know whether I could handle your summer, being from England I think I would just burn, said Kayleigh Davis, who was visiting Southern California. Already Im having to apply factor 50 sun cream.

Saturdaywas a perfect day for parasailing, bike riding, and sunbathing, pretty much anything involving the sun, sand and surf was a sure bet for a fun and relaxing time.

Its amazing, its sunny, its, its a dream, said 11-year-old Spencer Hodkinson,

On a picturesque day that drew in thousands to the beach, lifeguards kept a close eye on the water, as people splashed around and cooled off.

Yeah, I jumped over waves, said Sherman Oaks resident Alexa Schensul,

Some tourists, like Rebecca Abbott, were caught off guard by the heat. Shes visiting from Australia, and thought she would get a break from the sunshine on her winter getaway.

Wewere expecting it to be cool and we brought jumpers and things like that, and we havent had to wear them, said Abbott, who is from Sidney.

Quite the opposite of the East Coast. where one storm after another continues to pummel the region.

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