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