Cycling, brunch, the beach – Bernie Sanders had quite the ‘Sunday Fun-day’ this weekend, or at least observed others out and about as he criss-crossed Los Angeles shaking hands and greeting people.
Two days before the California primary, the Vermont senator ventured into restaurants in West Hollywood, interrupted a fundraiser on the Santa Monica pier, and listened to mariachi music in Lynwood. At every corner, as has been the case for months, excited fans swarmed the progressive superstar, jockeying for a photo.
The "Sanders Stroll" has become a bit of legend this campaign cycle. The senator often walks down streets in cities he visits, especially days before voting.
"He likes doing it," Sanders’ communications director Michael Briggs told ABC News, acknowledging the outings were often spur of the moment and improvised, but adding that Sanders wants to "meet people." Briggs said the senator looked at a map and decided where he wanted to venture Sunday.
In West Hollywood, Sanders and his entourage stormed into a restaurant called Hamburger Mary’s, a disco joint of sorts that does a “drag brunch” on Sundays. Standing underneath flashing, colorful party lights, the senator took a microphone and told the patrons he needed them to get out and vote.
One woman exclaimed, "Welcome to West Hollywood," as she stuck her hand out to meet Sanders at a spot across the street. There, at Beach Nation, brunch-goers dined at tables in the sand.
Reporters, staff, and secret service, then traveled with the senator to the Santa Monica pier. Sanders spent over an hour weaving through carnival games and beneath rollercoasters greeting more people. Along the way, a man in the crowd suggested Sanders stop by a fundraising cycling session on the pier. Before long, the senator was onstage at the event. Athletes peeled off their stationary bikes to form a last minute audience for him.