Even presidents need to take a break, but for the people in the places they choose to vacation, it means a lot of work. Hotels book up quickly with the president’s entourage, including Secret Service, aides, and the press. Restaurant reservations become impossible, and traffic caused by a presidential motorcade can lead to local streets being shut down. Each president has a favorite getaway spot: President Biden in Rehoboth Beach, former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, former President Obama at Martha’s Vineyard, former President Bush in Crawford, Texas, and former President Clinton in the Hamptons.
This week, President Biden is vacationing in Santa Ynez, California, which is in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. Despite trying to relax, the president must remain plugged in due to tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Russell Riley, an expert on presidential history, notes that there is no such thing as a true vacation for the president because they are always on duty. A temporary Situation Room must be set up wherever the president goes, and security measures must be taken to ensure the president’s safety.
When President Biden visits Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, his team, including Secret Service agents, must scout the area days in advance to check for security threats. A manager at a brunch restaurant frequented by the Bidens notes that their presence creates excitement in the town and draws in visitors. Prior to any outing, every potential stop must be checked by the Secret Service, and the president may limit his movements to avoid disrupting the local area. One of the biggest concerns for a town hosting the president is the potential for traffic jams caused by a presidential visit.
The Clintons’ vacation to the Hamptons in 1998 caused locals to fear long traffic delays. Residents stocked up on groceries in advance, and many people chose to stay home to avoid the anticipated traffic. The optics of a vacation location can also be a consideration for White House teams, as President Clinton once solicited polling to determine the best vacation activities to improve his public image. Ultimately, choosing a mountain location for activities like fishing and hiking aimed to portray a more democratic vacation. As President Biden relaxes in wine country, another town will be busy accommodating the traveling White House entourage.
In conclusion, presidential vacations are not as relaxing as they may seem. Security measures must be taken, potential disruptions to local areas are a concern, and the president remains on duty at all times. The choice of vacation location can impact public perception, and the logistics of accommodating a presidential visit can be challenging for towns and businesses. Despite the efforts to provide the president with a relaxing getaway, there is always a level of responsibility and security that must be maintained.
