Beach fun, Southern California style
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Can we go to the beach? Can we, can we?
It's warm. The water at the beach is still cold but not cold enough to keep the kids out. The beach toys have worked their way out of the bedroom and are showing up in the kitchen and the family room. You ask why these are in the way. The kids will say that they are just looking at them. Why can't they look at them in their rooms? It's time to go to the beach.
Contents at a Glance
Growing up at the beach
I am an "older" person who has spent all of my life in Southern California with most of my free time at the beach. I love to swim in the ocean and am one of those who still gets in trouble for being beyond the breakers. We leave nothing to chance when we go to the beach and have separate supplies packed away, ready for our trips. And yes, it's still winter here but the boogie board has left the bedroom in anticipation of the rain going away and beach weather just around the corner. We have many choices for beaches, all within an hour from home. We like Huntington Beach and Oceanside. They are the most open areas with the least traffic (if you can call it that). I know that my child is anxious but I don't think that he wants to go as much as I do. Here is what I know about beach fun in Southern California.This is a truly incredible view of Laguna Beach, Southern California taken by Bald Man With Camera, found on Flikr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/sir_baldilocks_of_the_glen/2367835302/
from Bald Man With Camera
Check out the beach before you leave home
Check out the conditions at the Huntington Beach Pier, what happening at Venice Beach or what's going on a Laguna Beach with these webcam views.
- Huntington beach web cam
- Surf city - this is a look at the beach and the pier.
- Venice Beach web cam
- Venice Beach is a place that is known for interesting people. This is a view of part of the boardwalk area.
- Laguna Beach web cam
- There are several views to choose from on this site.
Beach Etiquette
The pictures of lovely uncrowded beaches that people see is not what you will find on Southern California beaches. I love the beach and always have but we all share the same places. I have spent more years there than most people are old and have learned how to enjoy the beach with the crowds and still enjoy my time.
- Beach Etiquette
- A brand new boggie board is another reason to go to the beach. Unfortunately, lots of kids have them too. The public beaches in Southern California are generally wall-to-wall people. Even with school in session, the beaches are crowded. The reason that the beaches are so crowded is the beautiful beaches, year round sun and mild weather.
On an extremely busy day, you might be able to work in a two-foot space around your area. Small children wandering around might invade that space as well. With so many people wanting to take advantage of the sun and the surf, it means that the space is shared. How can you make it pleasant for yourself and the other sun-loving inhabitants?
Great day for the Beach
This picture is really a surprise when it looks the boy is all alone at the ocean. I will probably never get a shot of him alone in the water. It's pretty cool.
Must haves for the beach
Don't leave home without these
- Sunscreen - lots and lots, SPF 30 or more
- Towels - some for sitting on but save a couple for drying off after you wash the sand off. Once you get sand on a damp towel, you are just rubbing sand into your skin.
- A chair - Sitting on the sand gets old. Bring a chair that is comfortable.
- Shade structure - An umbrella works, a shade structure is better.
- Ice chest with food - Snacks are great but swimming and running and jumping and digging and burying people makes you hungry. Bring real food that gives back the energy that all these activities take away.
- If you are going to barbecue on the beach, bring the tools you need. It's hard to flip burgers without a spatula.
- Change - Many beaches have parking lots that require you to buy tickets. Some have parking meter and like Huntington Beach, you pay as you enter. The best way to deal with the different payment options is to bring dollar bills and quarters which will cover you for all the different ways to pay.
Must have recommendations
These are the things we use
How to keep food cold in an ice chest
Keeping food cold is always a concern. This was written from a camping point of view but food safety is still food safety.
- How to keep food cold in an ice chest
- The camper pulled out a six-pack of soda from the ice chest and proceeded to chip off the ice around the bottom of the cans with an ice pick. Unfortunately, he punctured one of the cans and sent an impressive spray of soda everywhere. (Tip - If you send soda everywhere, wash it down before the ants find it.)
While the display was interesting, what captured everyone attention was that fact that there was ice frozen to the soda cans. Regular ice will not freeze to items in the ice chest. How did the camper get the ice chest cold enough to freeze?
Boogie Boarding
You can call it Body Boarding but it will always be Boggie Boarding to those of us who are old enough to remember when it started. We have passed on the tradition and now my grandson is the one who rides the waves on the boogie board.
The second video, Body Board Extreme are some of the most "awesome" whipouts I've seen.
The second video, Body Board Extreme are some of the most "awesome" whipouts I've seen.
curated content from YouTube
Water Sports
Boggie boarding and surfing is found all up and down the coast. Need a little more information, here it is.
- How to teach children to bodyboard
- A boogie board is a rectangular foam board that can be found in many colors and sizes. Tom Morey popularized the sport in 1971 when he created and mass-produced the "Morey Boogie Board".
Children pick it up quickly and learn to ride waves in one day. Professional bodyboarders do tricks and flips and compete in contests held by the USBA (United States Bodyboarding Association). - The best surf spots in Southern California
- Surfing and Southern California go hand in hand. The surfing is legendary at places like The Wedge and Trestles. Huntington Beach is known as "Surf City". Before heading out for that great surf, check Solspot. It is one of the best website for surfers with the most current surf forecast. This information allows surfers to make an informed decision on the best place to surf at any given time. So with that in mind, here are the best surf spots in Southern California.
Boggie Board
Most beaches have boggie boards for rent. This is a great option for a one-time trip to the beach but if you are planning several trips, it is cheaper to buy your own. This is a great board and one that we use. However, our child is older and so the larger board is better. Check out the smaller boards for smaller children. It does make a difference.
BZ T-10 Dow Body Board (42-Inch, Colors May Vary)
Amazon Price: $87.95 (as of 05/28/2012)
The best beaches for children
Huntington Beach, Bolsa Chica and some of the other beaches in Oceanside are not always considered the best beaches for smaller children. However, here is a list of those that have very little wave action where the smaller ones will not continue to be knocked down by the surf.
- The best beaches for children in California
- California has beaches. From spectacular views to wild animal viewing, it is all here. However, if you are looking for a beach with no waves or one of the premier surf beaches, Southern California has it all. The three beaches best known for no waves are in Marina del Rey, Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Known as Mother's Beach, they do not have waves that will knock the little ones down. All of them have playgrounds for the children who would prefer not to be in the water.
Comments welcomed!
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LotusLandry
Sep 26, 2011 @ 1:31 pm | delete
- nice practical advice!
from /houseguests-in-the-oc
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squidoopets
Jul 28, 2011 @ 1:30 pm | delete
- I want to go to the beach now!
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prosperity66 Feb 28, 2011 @ 11:56 am | delete
- Hey there :)
I'm the angel in the summer fun neighbourhood and I was attracted by this lens as I live overseas and will certainly never make it to Southern California, lol.
I profit from Squidoo to discover areas I've never seen and will never see, so although I find the info quite extensive, I'm a bit upset as I haven't seen a lot of pictures of this area that is certainly beautiful...
Food for thought, then ;)
Cheers.
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GabrielaFargasch
Feb 26, 2011 @ 11:28 am | delete
- I live in Southwest Florida and I still haven't been able to go in the water! I can't wait!! I love the beach and I love the ocean!!
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Look for these folks at the beach
Other Squidooer's at the beach
Bring your own shade
On The Edge 200119 Blue Outdoor Cabana Set
Amazon Price: (as of 05/28/2012)
There are no trees on Southern California beaches but shade is necessary. Many bring a regular umbrella but that gets old fast. A shade structure of some sort is necessary if you are planning to spend the whole day there.
Other shade ideas
Rainbow 8' Beach Umbrella with Carry Bag, Umbrella UPF 50+ with Tilt - Fiberglass Ribs
Amazon Price: $48.20 (as of 05/28/2012)
Sand anchor? Any good wind will send an umbrella sailing, generally right into me but the sand anchor will help keep it in one place.
