‘They were having fun.’ Jay Leno, camera crew spotted in the surf in Grover Beach
A stroll on the beach led to a celebrity sighting for two Arroyo Grande women.
Holly Leighton said she and her friend, Christy Olmstead, were walking south of Fin’s Seafood Bar & Grill in Grover Beach on Dec. 20 when they were passed by a “small black SUV covered in cameras” with a “Jay Leno’s Garage” logo on the door.
Behind that vehicle was a silver Land Rover with a familiar-looking passenger: former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno, said Leighton, marketing and tourism coordinator for South County Chambers of Commerce.
The car, driven by a young woman, “was driving in the shallow surf a little bit, and it looked like they were having fun,” she said.
The SUV drove past Leighton and Olmstead again when it headed to the ramp near the restaurant, Leighton said.
“It looked like they had a whole crew set up there,” she said.
Leighton and Olmstead later bumped into Leno near the restrooms at the end of West Grand Avenue.
“Jay was very kind and happy to take a photo with us,” Leighton said.
It’s not the first time Leno has been spotted in south San Luis Obispo County.
He filmed an episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage” at the Oceano Dunes in 2017. The automotive-themed show, which airs on CNBC, finds Leno getting behind the wheel with celebrities ranging from chef Guy Fieri to former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Jay Leno’s Garage” producer Helga Pollock confirmed via email Saturday that Leno returned to the Central Coast on Dec. 20 to shoot footage for the show. But she didn’t have an exact airdate for that episode.
He’s just the latest celebrity to visit San Luis Obispo County in recent months.
Earlier in December, “Captain Marvel” star Brie Larson took a trip that included stops at San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, Gopher Glen Organic Apple Farm in Avila Beach and the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery near San Simeon. And “Talking Dead” host Chris Hardwick visited the Cambria Christmas Market.
