| You cannot visit Southern California without | | | | beaches to go to escape the crowded Los |
| stopping at one of its many wonderful beaches | | | | Angeles beaches. When driving west on PCH |
| and dipping your toes in the Pacific Ocean. | | | | you'll come to Point Dume first, then Zuma. |
| However, if you have a limited time on your | | | | Point Dume is a little quieter than Zuma, so |
| visit and can only visit one beach, you may | | | | if you want to lie in the sand and sleep, or |
| have a difficult time choosing. Which | | | | read a good book, Point Dume is it. Of |
| Southern California beach should top your | | | | course, just because Point Dume and Zuma |
| list? Well, it depends on what you're | | | | beaches are great for relaxing, that's not |
| looking for: | | | | all there is to do. Some consider Zuma beach |
| | | | one of the finest surfing beaches as well. |
| Surfing: | | | | |
| | | | People Watching: |
| Huntington Beach: With over 50 surfing | | | | |
| competitions held each year in Huntington | | | | Venice City Beach: Want a quirky beach |
| Beach, plus a Surfing Walk of Fame, Surfers' | | | | experience? Then you'll have to visit Venice |
| Hall of Fame and International Surfing | | | | Beach, at the end of Washington Street in |
| Museum, Huntington Beach, or "Surf City" as | | | | Venice. There you'll find skaters, |
| some call it, is the place you'll want to | | | | performers and those you're not quite sure if |
| visit to surf and watch surfers in action. | | | | they're performing or not. On any given |
| Forget your surfboard or boogie board? No | | | | weekend you can be treated to musicians, |
| problem, you can also rent one in Huntington | | | | acrobats, mimes, magicians and other assorted |
| Beach. You'll want to visit the pier at | | | | entertainers. You'll also find restaurants |
| Huntington City Beach where you can watch the | | | | and all sorts of shops along Ocean Front |
| surfers as well as take in the views, which | | | | Walk, as well as Muscle Beach, where you can |
| include Catalina Island, 22 miles away (check | | | | find bodybuilders pumping iron. If you like |
| out the pay scopes for closer views). | | | | crowds, you'll love Venice Beach on the |
| | | | weekend. |
| Another reason to go to Huntington Beach is | | | | |
| that all three of their beaches (Huntington | | | | Fun Out of the Water: |
| City Beach, Huntington State Beach and Bolsa | | | | |
| Chica State Beach) have concrete fire rings | | | | Santa Monica State Beach: If you get tired |
| which allow you to have nightly bonfires and | | | | of sunbathing or playing in the ocean, Santa |
| cookouts. | | | | Monica State Beach is great because you have |
| | | | Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier with rides, |
| Swami's Beach: Located in Encinitas below | | | | games and restaurants. You have to really |
| Seacliff Roadside Park, Swami's Beach is also | | | | try hard to be bored at Santa Monica State |
| a great place to watch the surfers, as it is | | | | Beach. Rides include a carousel, roller |
| considered one of the best surfing spots | | | | coaster, bumper cars, motion simulator and a |
| along the San Diego County coastline. | | | | nine-story Ferris wheel with spectacular |
| | | | views. You can also roller blade and ride |
| Sunbathing and Relaxing: | | | | bikes on the bike bath along the beach. |
| | | | |
| Zuma/Point Dume: Of course, you can sit in | | | | These are just a sampling of the great beach |
| the sand and relax at all the beaches in | | | | experiences you can have in Southern |
| Southern California, but Point Dume and Zuma | | | | California. Just remember to bring and apply |
| beaches, approximately 19 miles west of | | | | your sunscreen, drink plenty of water |
| Malibu on Pacific Coast Highway, are the | | | | throughout the day, and enjoy your visit. |