President Obama Takes Campaign To So. Calif.

(KABC) – President Barack Obama is taking his Southern California fundraising tour to Orange County on Thursday.

The president is expected to attend a breakfast at a private residence in Corona del Mar. Tickets to the event range from $10,000 to $35,000.

Thursday marks Obama’s second trip to Orange County since he took office. Newport Beach police will be closing down roads in the area of East Coast Highway and Seaward Road. Some area side streets may also be closed and parking restrictions will go into effect from 6 a.m. to noon.

The Los Angeles Police Department released a list of streets motorists should avoid to prevent possible traffic delays as the president leaves his hotel in Beverly Hills and heads to Corona del Mar:

Protesters with various groups are expected to demonstrate near the fundraiser location.

Republicans who live in the neighborhood say they’re not happy about his visit and are planning to protest. Democrats got wind of this and are planning a counter-protest.

Protesters to the president’s event in Holmby Hills Wednesday night were kept 1 1/2 miles away.

The star-studded fundraiser was held at the home of soap opera producer Bradley Bell and hosted by actor Will Ferrell and his wife. Among the entertainment was a performance by the band Foo Fighters, who won five Grammy Awards on Sunday night.

He told supporters at the fundraiser that the 2012 election will be much harder than the 2008 election. He said people are hurting and “needs us to do more.”

The cost of dining with the president was nearly $36,000. Some attendees paid $500 just to see him.

But for most Southern Californians, a glimpse of the presidential motorcade was as close as they got.

“This is a once in a life time thing to witness the motorcade up close,” said Los Angeles resident Kenneth Garrard.

“I think it’s a good thing, but sometimes he should just come here to us regular people to see what we think about stuff,” said Beverly Hills resident Jasmine Perkins.

The president leaves from Los Angeles International Airport and heads to San Francisco at around 11 a.m. Thursday. He’ll then travel to the Seattle area on Friday.

Obama is expected to have raised more than $8 million before returning home from his West Coast trip.