The holiday weekend has arrived, but due to coronavirus -- plans may look different for many families in western Connecticut. Beachgoers did their best to beat today's rain by packing state parks early.

“Our trip to Mexico was canceled and now we are here,” says Vanessa Rosario, of Danbury.

Forced to stay local due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rosario and her family made sure to get to the beach bright and early.

“We got out by 6:44 a.m. to get here by 8:30 a.m.,” says Rosario.

There is limited capacity at state parks this summer to promote social distancing. Today, many of those spots were taken by cars with New York license plates.

State officials expect shoreline parks such as Sherwood Island Park to fill up by 9:30 a.m. this holiday weekend, so if you plan to get a spot – come early.

Due to coronavirus, parks capacity is limited to promote social distancing. If you don't get a parking spot, state officials say don't try to park on local roads and walk in -- they will be cracking down.

Beach blankets should be kept 15-feet apart from each other. Masks aren't required outside, but are encouraged if you cannot keep 6-feet of distance.

Katie Dykes, the commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, says people should check the state’s website to see what parks are at capacity before they hit the road.

“It’s a great time to remind folks of the wonderful tourism destinations and opportunities we have right here in our state,” says Dykes. “We have a park within 15 minutes of every Connecticut citizen and many campgrounds around the state, not just at the shoreline.”

Travelers coming to Connecticut form a state with a high COVID-19 infection rate must quarantine for 14 days or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

Connecticut's neighboring states are currently not on that list, making places like Sherwood Island State Park and Silver Sands an easy getaway for the weekend.

State and local officials say the amount of rain received today may force swimming to be prohibited Saturday.