Eight great So Cal beaches offer lots of fun in the sun

Take your Little Deuce Coupe westward to one of the following eight great beaches to surf, swim, ski, shop, skate, stay the night, stroll, and scope out all the other adventures they have to offer.

Pick a spot and cool off at the beach this weekend (Wikimedia Commons/Henryk Kotowski)

Summer is upon us, and it’s the perfect time to take the advice of those harmonizing boys, Love and Wilson: “Let’s go surfin’ now, everybody’s learning how, come on and safari with me!”

1. Coronado Beach- Looking for an island getaway? Head to San Diego and discover an island full of treasures. The famous historical resort, Hotel Del Coronado, built in 1888, sits along this island coastline. The hotel and beach were once graced by Hollywood royalty. Among them, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis romped in the sand while filming Billy Wilder’s “Some Like it Hot.” Desi and Lucy hung at the resort, as did political dignitaries from around the world. With the largest stretch of sand in San Diego County, today there is still plenty of room to catch some rays or Frisbees on Coronado. Look up toward the blue skies to see kites flying high above or jets flying low. The island also offers the opportunity to get on your bike and ride. Or take the pooches to the puddles on the north end of the beach and unleash your beasts. This beach is definitely a jewel in San Diego — you will surely “crown” it as your new favorite!
2. Torrey Pines State Beach - If you like coastlines and intense hiking trails, then Torrey Pines State Reserve is the perfect choice for you. The beach is located between Del Mar and La Jolla in San Diego County and offers good surf, picnic areas, and beautiful cliffs to hike. Check out the different plants and animals that breed on this Mediterranean-like coastline. If bird watching is your bag, bring your best pair of binoculars for a chance to catch a peep show. Parking is $10 to get in the Reserve.
3. Doheny State Beach – Are you interested in beachfront property? For a few nights at least? Sail to Doheny Beach in Dana Point where you can camp right on the beach. While there, check out the many biking trails. If you happen to forget your extra set of wheels, there are rentals available for day use. Getting “board”? You can rent boogie and surfboards here. Hungry? Five acres of green grass for picnics and pits for barbequing let you cook up some good eats. Stop by the visitor’s center and see five aquariums that house different types of marine life. Doheny is the beach to catch a lot of fun memories!


Volleyball, basketball, rollerblading and sunbathing are all popular sports practiced at Main Beach in Laguna Beach. (Wikimedia Commons/djh57)

4. Laguna Beach – Wash up onshore at this notorious beach and find out what all the gossip is about. With several movies and TV shows filmed at this location, you already know it’s a picturesque setting. Beautiful cliffs look down on private crescent beaches. One beach known as Thousand Steps can be accessed only by a hidden stairway of over 230 steps. If being seen is your scene, check our Main Beach in the center of town. Volleyball, basketball, rollerblading and sunbathing are all popular sports practiced here. A well-known spot for the arts, Laguna Beach is also home to many art shows that take place year-round. If a simple daytrip and the reality MTV show aren’t enough for you, don’t sweat it! There are several extravagant resorts that allow you to extend your stay.
5. Newport Beach - Named one of the cleanest beaches around, you will surely want to bring the family down for some good clean fun. Take a stroll on the boardwalk and head to the Balboa Fun Zone for classic arcade games, take a boat ride on a chartered yacht or boat, rent a bicycle and go for a spin, then shop the Crystal Cove Promenade and Fashion Island. Finish it all with pizza and a beer at the infamous sports bar, Mutt Lynch’s — you might get the chance to talk stats with the likes of Angels baseball players who are known to frequent this bar. Take a trip out to this port and add a new favorite destination to your family vakays .
6. Huntington Beach- “Surf City here we come!!!” Head to Huntington to discover if Jan and Dean’s mantra, “two girls for every boy,” holds true. Eight miles of four distinct picture-perfect sandy beaches enable you to scope it out. Surfing is HUGE at this beach. After the Father of Surfing, Duke Kahanamoku, first surfed the Huntington Pier, the town was coined “Surf City.” In 1963, Huntington residents Jan and Dean unleashed their famous song with the same name, and the rest is stuff of legends. For those who want in on the surf nostalgia, catch some waves at Bolsa Chica or head to Dog Beach and let your pooch hang 10 … err … paws? Wander, fish, or just get a breath of fresh air along Huntington’s 1,800-foot pier. Stroll to the pier’s end and sit down for a bite at Ruby’s Diner, where you can practically eat with the fishes. If you are fortunate to have a window seat, you might see dolphins as you dine. Huntington is the place for happening events, including sand castle contests and pro surf competitions. So catch a wave here, and you just might be sitting on top of the world.
7. Venice Beach- The freaks come out at night … and they come out during the day, too, down at Venice Beach. Some may call ‘em freaks, but a better word would have to be artistic. Probably the best place to people watch, forget hitting the waves at Venice. Instead, pull up a bench and do some crowd surfing to witness the wildest, wackiest and most entertaining. It’s worthwhile to make a daytrip to this beach and meander along the boardwalk to see all the sidewalk artists. Browse the souvenir stands for some cool touristy trinkets. Flex your biceps at Muscle Beach, or in the local Gold’s Gym (where our own Governor was discovered while working out!). Shoot some hoops at the world-renowned basketball courts here — Hollywood legend has it that several NBA players were recruited off these courts. Looking to start a band? Make like one-time Venice-resident Jim Morrison and find a talented keyboardist like Ray Manzarek here. If you have any artistic talents, open up a door of opportunities for yourself down at Venice Beach.
8. Zuma Beach (Malibu)- Come out to Malibu and swim under the stars. Better yet, swim with the stars at this famous beach. A warmer climate, pristine sands and quiet beaches will direct you and celebs toward Zuma. Fishing, surfing, swimming, diving and even windsurfing are all activities that can be experienced here. Premier surf events go on throughout the year. Head toward this beach and you’re sure to dive into an enjoyable time.