You can’t visit Southern California without stopping at one of its wonderful beaches and dipping your toes in the Pacific Ocean. However, if you have limited time on your visit and can only visit one beach, you may have a hard time choosing. Which Southern California beach should top your list? Well, it depends on what you are looking for:
Surf:
Huntington Beach: With more than 50 surf competitions held each year in Huntington Beach, plus a Surf Walk of Fame, the Surfers’ Hall of Fame and the International Surf Museum, Huntington Beach or the “City of Surfing” As some call it, it is the place you will want to go visit to surf and see the surfers in action. Forgot your surfboard or boogie board? No problem, you can also rent one in Huntington Beach. You’ll want to visit the pier in Huntington City Beach, where you can watch the surfers and take in the views, including Catalina Island, 35 miles away (see pay areas for closer views).
Another reason to go to Huntington Beach is that its three beaches (Huntington City Beach, Huntington State Beach, and Bolsa Chica State Beach) have concrete fire rings that allow you to have bonfires and cookouts every night.
Swami Beach: Located in Encinitas below Seacliff Roadside Park, Swami Beach is also a great place to watch surfers, as it is considered one of the best surf spots along the San Diego County coastline.
Sitting on the sand Relaxing:
Zuma / Point Dume: Of course, you can sit on the sand and relax on all the beaches in Southern California, but the beaches at Point Dume and Zuma, about 19 miles west of Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway, are the beaches to escape the crowded. Los Angeles beaches. When driving west on PCH, you will arrive first at Point Dume and then Zuma. Point Dume is a bit quieter than Zuma, so if you want to lie on the sand and sleep, or read a good book, Point Dume is it. Of course, just because the beaches at Point Dume and Zuma are great for relaxing, that’s not all there is to it. Zuma Beach is also considered by some to be one of the best beaches for surfing.
People watching:
Venice city beach: Do you want a peculiar beach experience? Then you will have to visit Venice Beach, at the end of Washington Street in Venice. There you will find skaters, entertainers and those of whom you are not sure if they are performing or not. On any weekend, you can enjoy musicians, acrobats, mimes, magicians and other assorted artists. You’ll also find restaurants and all kinds of shops along the Ocean Front Walk, as well as Muscle Beach, where you can find bodybuilders working out. If you like crowds, you will love Venice Beach on the weekends.
Fun out of the water:
Santa Monica State Beach: If you get tired of sunbathing or playing in the ocean, Santa Monica State Beach is great because you have Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier with attractions, games, and restaurants. You have to work really hard to get bored at Santa Monica State Beach. Rides include a carousel, a roller coaster, bumper cars, a motion simulator, and a nine-story Ferris wheel with spectacular views. You can also skate and bike in the bike wash along the beach.
These are just a sample of the great beach experiences you can have in Southern California. Just remember to bring and apply your sunscreen, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and enjoy your visit.
