Vacations Blog

The beaches of Northern California are stunning. They are dramatic and moody and rocky and cold. If you are crazy, you can surf the wild icy waters. If you are of a more normal constitution, you can sit in the coarse sand or gaze down from the top of a steep cliff and watch the powerful waves crash into the land, with a dull and constant roar.

Most people rave about the sunny warm beaches of Southern California. I agree that the sand is softer, the waves are gentler and the sun is warmer. It is probably pretty groovy to live by one, too. But, let’s be honest, folks. This isn’t the Caribbean…and never will be. If you can’t offer me clear aquamarine water, white sugary sand and reefs filled with colorful corals and fish then I would much rather the moody wildness of the Northern California coast.

But, this is just my take. I’d love to hear your opinion!

Which type of beach is your favorite and why?

Thanks to clairity for the NoCal and mbtrama for the SoCal beach pictures.

When I first moved to California, I missed the mountains of my home state, Washington. Then I went to the beach and realized the wildness of a beach gave me with the same sense of beauty and nature’s grandeur I had been longing to see.  Here are the beaches I love in Northern California:

1. Ocean Beach, San Francisco–very much the urban beach, but to me having the Pacific within walking distance was amazing.  (Wow, I really am in California, I can’t believe a beach is this close).

2. Stinson Beach–long white sand beach with a snack shop serving soft ice cream cones and with a good boogie board rental shop.

3.  Bolinas Beach– no crowds, no snack shops, just one long beautiful beach with tide pools, buy a map to get there, the locals always remove the highway signs.  If they aren’t exactly welcoming, just know it isn’t you!  It is them-really it is them, they do not welcome because they want to keep it to themselves. No Banana Republics in sight and never will be.

4.  Santa Cruz Boardwalk–c’mon what is better than a college town with a surf attitude and a boardwalk?

5.  Pt. Lobos–just a beautiful set of trails bordering the smashing, crashing Pacific shore.

6.  The four beaches on Half Moon Bay because of the three mile hike that you can take to reach each one:

7.  Venice Beach (yes, I know there is also a Venice Beach in SoCal, let’s just say they are very different, no body builders at this one.)

8. Frances Beach

9.  Miramar Beach

10. Dune Beach

11.  Paradise Beach–sometimes a quiet little spot on San Francisco Bay is all I need, especially since it can be easily reached from the city within 30 minutes.

12. Muir Beach–I take my visiting tourists to Muir Woods and tell them I will pick them up later while I sunbathe at the beach and grab lunch at the Pelican Inn.  Just cuz I hate paying to see tall trees, when I can see them for free at a number of other places with a lot less people. Not a fan of Muir Woods except when the rangers put on their Winter Solstice show…

13. Capitola Beach–a cute little town for a weekend visit, plus the margaritas they serve at many of the watering holes along the beach are just the thing to quench a beach induced thirst.  Just watch for strong surf in the fall, the locals warn me…

If you do visit  Northern California, a visit to the beach must be on your list.  Just plan ahead, bring a jacket in case the fog rolls in, rent a wet suit if you plan on surfing or boogie boarding and of course bring a frisbee or two to feel like a Californian.  And yes, the Great White Sharks, do patrol our waters, but that is another post…

Photo courtesy of angela7dreams on Flickr. 

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Along with the myth that everyone in L.A. has had plastic surgery, one of the big misconceptions about Los Angeles is that everyone has a swimming pool in their backyard. This isn’t true, of course – some of us can’t afford them because we’ve spent all our money on nose jobs and liposuctioning our butts.

So what do the unfortunate among us do when we need to beat the heat and cool off? Here are some ways you can take the plunge, or at least feel like you did.

Water Parks – We have two here, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and Raging Waters. I have to admit I’ve never been to either, or to any other water park for that matter. It may or may not have something to do with an aversion to being immersed in water that is home to the body fluids of five-hundred strangers. But my tween daughters have been bugging me to take them, and I may just break down and, uh, take the plunge. I guess that’s what antibiotics are for.

Aquarium Of The Pacific in Long Beach – Okay, there’s not actually anywhere you can jump in and take a swim here, but there’s something so refreshing about watching the seals and sea lions glide through the huge tanks. Also, you can put your hands in the water in their outdoor Ray Touch Pool – at least your wrists will get a chance to cool off.

A Friend’s Pool – Besides a nice pair of Manolo heels, the absolute must-have accessory in Los Angeles is definitely a friend with a pool. I suggest seeking out these people with the determination one might reserve for finding a good mate or more importantly, a good plastic surgeon. Once you find them, nurture these friendships and you’ll be rewarded with numerous invitations to “come and swim.” Make sure you show up with a nice bottle of wine now and then, or at least a jug of chlorine.

The Beach – This is a no-brainer, and if I hadn’t already mentioned it ad nauseam in previous posts, I would extol the virtues of our wonderful beaches once again. Let’s just say you can’t have a bad time lying on the sand, frolicking in the waves and soaking up the sun.

Lake Balboa – Sure, it’s man-made and is usually totally overcrowded with families desperate for the sight of a body of water. But it’ll do in a pinch, especially if you don’t have the two hours it would take you to get to Big Bear Lake or Lake Arrowhead. I don’t think swimming is allowed in the lake, but you can take a ride on a paddleboat or kayak. Word of advice: Don’t ignore the signs that say ‘Don’t Feed The Ducks’ since even one measly crust of bread will have an entire gaggle swarming you and may result in you having to throw away not one, but three perfectly good Subway sandwiches in order to get them off your back. Not that it’s ever happened to anyone I know.

Summer Vacation at the Jersey Shore

Hana Wolf is a seasoned attorney turned expert “mom traveler” who decided to take a break from practicing law to help other parents with the inherent challenges of traveling with children. She is now the CEO and Co-Founder of LittleJetSet.com, an online store that sells travel games, toys, puzzles, arts and crafts, and countless other fun activities for families on the go, as well as a wide array of children’s luggage, backpacks, wash bags and other travel accessories.

I am a Jersey Girl and proud of it. While my days of big hair, hanging out at the mall, and listening to Bon Jovi are over, my love of the beach and affection for the Jersey Shore are enduring, and I give it top billing for summer family vacations.

New Jersey boasts 127 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and almost 50 public beaches, with daily admission for all but a few ranging in price from free to $8. If your main objective is keeping the kids entertained, then head for Point Pleasant Beach (Garden State Parkway Exit 98), where you will find expansive beaches and a mile-long boardwalk with arcades, amusements, games, rides and restaurants in abundance. There is a fun house, batting cages, miniature golf, and my personal favorite, Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Located on the north end of the boardwalk, this little gem has sharks, sea lions, penguins, sea rays, an albino alligator, tropical fish, birds, snakes, and much more. Throughout the summer, there are special programs and events for the entire family including movies on the beach, Thursday night fireworks, family yoga and dance, and talent contests, to name just a few.

If you can tear yourself away from the beach, head to Surf Taco for outrageous fish tacos, a free salsa bar, surfing movies, and a game of Connect Four while you wait for your food. And for dessert – head to Strollo’s Lighthouse Italian Ice. Strollo’s is synonymous with summer at the Jersey Shore. My order – large dish of orange Italian ice with vanilla soft serve. Skip the tiny squeeze cup. You’re on vacation!

Even though Point Pleasant Beach is only 1.7 square miles, there is no shortage of lodging. Choose from gracious Victorian inns, beachfront resorts and motels in all price ranges. The boardwalk can get a bit loud and rowdy at night on the weekends, so I would recommend staying just south of the boardwalk or off of Ocean Avenue if you’re a light sleeper. And, just in case you were wondering, there is a mall 2 miles away. More information here.

While your kids’ happiness is guaranteed once you hit the beach, the same does not hold true for the car ride there. In my capacity as expert “mom traveler,” I must advise that boredom, discomfort and hunger equal travel disaster, so be sure to pack snacks and plenty of entertainment for the road. Some of my favorite travel games, toys and activities for the car are: Find It at the Beach; Are We There Yet; Map of the USA Sticker Set Play Scene; and Sketch + Draw + Color Ocean.

Even before we had kids, my husband and I agreed that water and sun vacations were our preference. Both of us are swimmers, he was a college water polo player, and we love spending time at the beach and in the water. Therefore, when our son (also our firstborn) was old enough to let us know that he hated the water, we were shocked. What was this going to do to our beach vacations?

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