Pollock Pines Residents Urge Tourists to Stay Home Amid Storm

Locals say tourists using side roads are worsening travel delays in the mountain community.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Residents and business owners in Pollock Pines, California are urging travelers and tourists to stay away as a winter storm continues to cause significant delays and disruptions in the mountain community. The storm has made it difficult for locals to get to work and move around, with residents saying tourists using side roads to avoid impacted conditions on Highway 50 are adding to the problems.

Why it matters

Pollock Pines, a popular tourist destination, is facing challenges balancing the needs of residents and visitors during the severe weather. Locals are concerned that tourists are exacerbating travel issues and preventing them from being able to go about their daily lives, raising questions about how communities can manage influxes of visitors during emergencies.

The details

The 50 Grand Restaurant and Bar, normally open on Thursdays, was forced to close because staff members could not safely leave their homes due to 3-4 feet of snow. Owners Jim and Kim McCarthy said the storm has created major challenges getting to and from work from their home in Camino, and the situation has been made worse by tourists traveling into the area and using side roads like the Pony Express Trail to bypass Highway 50. The California Highway Patrol said there must be a valid reason to completely shut down a roadway, and residents can bypass checkpoints with proper identification, but the McCarthys questioned why more isn't being done to stop visitors from entering communities like Pollock Pines during the storm.

  • The storm has caused significant delays over the past few days.

The players

Jim McCarthy

Co-owner of 50 Grand Restaurant and Bar in Pollock Pines.

Kim McCarthy

Co-owner of 50 Grand Restaurant and Bar in Pollock Pines.

Officer Mike Carrillo

California Highway Patrol officer in the Valley Division.

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What they’re saying

“You're on vacation, but people live here.”

— Kim McCarthy, Co-owner of 50 Grand Restaurant and Bar (abc10.com)

“Why are they not being stopped in Placerville then, where there are grocery stores, where it's a bigger town?”

— Kim McCarthy, Co-owner of 50 Grand Restaurant and Bar (abc10.com)

“If you live within an area where there's a closure, then there are CHP checkpoints set in place. We do not let anybody go past that point. But if you reside there, you're a resident, just be prepared to show proper identification.”

— Officer Mike Carrillo, California Highway Patrol officer (abc10.com)

What’s next

The California Highway Patrol is encouraging people to stay home during the storm. If drivers must be on the road, officers urge them to remain on main highways and avoid taking side roads, even if directed by GPS.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges mountain communities face in balancing the needs of residents and visitors during severe weather events, and the importance of clear communication and coordination between local authorities and the public to ensure public safety.