Soaking up the rays in Southern California means sports, exhilarating activities and dining. Packed with locals and tourists alike, our beaches are an all-day excursion with water sports, fairgrounds, shopping and eating. Here’s a list of where to find the action:
1. Venice Beach
www.westland.net/venice/index.html
Venice Beach’s fame dates back to the 1960’s with it’s famous resident Jim Morrison of The Doors. The band played for locals at The Cheetah on the Ocean Park Pier. Today this beach is renowned for it’s artists, street performers, eccentric characters and Muscle Beach. On a typical day, you will walk, bike or roller skate by funky tattoo shops, elaborate sand sculptures, jugglers with power saws, eclectic international musicians, and of, of course, the California gals in the skimpy bikinis. This beach was also home to America’s first health fanatic, the late Gypsy Boots.
Health and fitness is still at the core with Venice’s top level bodybuilders flexing their wares on the Muscle Beach strip near The Boardwalk. These buffed up athletes strut their stuff and sometimes offer classes pumping iron. While you watch, you will be entertained by mimes, acrobats, magicians and other circus-sidewalk acts. Never a dull moment at Venice. Come here and plan to spend the day; the boardwalk offers plenty of low cost meals and one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
2. Santa Monica Beach
www.santamonicapier.org
For an exhilarating day at a seaside fair, try Santa Monica Pier for some sophisticated action. The pier is free and jam-packed with restaurants, sidewalk entertainers and an amusement park. If a quiet day of fishing is more your style, you may fish without a license and rent your equipment at the bait and tackle shops.
A great day out in the sun starts with the Pacific Park, located at the end of the pier. This fairytale fun center is home to some lively birthday parties and private use of the carousel. Admission discounts are had on the website, where you may buy an all day, unlimited ride wristband for just $12.95. The Family Fun Pack at $80, provides unlimited attractions for four, plus four meal tickets and Food Court Combo vouchers.
www.pacpark.com/park.php?location=park
All day parking is $8 to $10, depending on the day of the week, and your dogs are welcome, as long as they are on a leash. Finally, for the extrovert, try the Trapeze School of New York at Santa Monica Pier. They offer classes in the flying trapeze, acrobatics, aerial skills, medieval swordplay and acrobatic yoga. Individual lessons are available, and an added savings is had when purchasing the class card. In addition to classes, they provide professional entertainment. Check the website for trapeze show times.
www.trapezeschool.com
3.Pismo Beach
www.classiccalifornia.com/index.html
Pismo Beach is home to beautiful scenery and rugged outdoor sports. After your ocean swim, there is plenty to do the rest of the day. This beach is surrounded by golf courses, the Avila Beach golf resort, Pismo State Beach Golf Course, Black Lake Golf Course and Cypress Ridge. Horseback riding is had at the Livery Stables located at the Pacific Dunes and RV Park for a scenic trek across the seaside trails.
Specialty events on the beach for 2009 include The Monarch Butterfly Tour, which is free at the pier. In the month of May, try the beach’s Farmer’s Market for classes in gymnastics, kite flying, cooking, power walking, yoga and more. For the 4th of July, Pismo Beach puts on an extravaganza like no other with military marching bands, music, food, clowns and a grand fireworks display from the 1200 foot pier. Check the Pismo calendar for more events and pricing.
www.classiccalifornia.com/calendar.htm
4. Bolsa Chica Beach
www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=642
Located in the upscale residential community of Huntington Beach, Bolsa Chica is a small, quiet strip of sandy shore, obscured from the highway by natural rocky cliffs. This is a great place to get away from it all, as there are no restaurants or vendors of any kind. Dogs are welcomed when on a leash, but you must get your free pooper scooper bag from the dispenser. Bring your own lunch for a tranquil day at the beach and make use of the few elevated campfires and picnic tables to take in the vast Pacific views. Lifeguards are on duty year round.
Across the street is the Huntington Beach Estuary, where you may hike for miles among the avian natural habitats. Park rangers are present during the day and admission is free. This is a great place for birding photography and endless miles of paved hiking trails. However, beware, that coyotes and snakes share this habitat, so for safety, the trail closes at 6pm.
5. Seal Beach
www.beachcalifornia.com/seal.html
Seal Beach is a relaxed California beach community lined with million dollar homes. In addition, Leisure World for seniors and many merchants are at your fingertips for all your seaside needs. Along Main Street, which ends at the shore, are restaurants, an ice cream parlor, Hennesey’s Irish bar, surf board shops, bikini boutiques and more.
During holidays, Seal Beach is famous for it’s lavish boat processions, with their two most elaborate events at Christmas and the 4th of July. Decorated sea vessels parade one by one for a crowd of thousands. Although there are no fireworks at Seal, it’s a prime location to view the fantastic display from the Queen Mary Harbor.
Parking is free, but fills up fast. However, there are lots of streets and alleys to scout out when front and center beach parking is full. Summer sun seekers should arrive before 10am for best results with the car, and there’s enough food, shopping and nightlife to keep you busy all day.
