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