Let's take a trip down the Southern California coast together shall we? I am happy to be your tour guide!

All the way from Santa Barbara down to San Diego, each Southern California beach has its own unique charm. But every Southern California beach has the Pacific Ocean and the sunshine going for it!

No matter where you are in Southern California, you're only a drive away from a relaxing beach vacation. I've enjoyed the beach as a child, a teenager, a college student, and a working adult. There's always time to spare a moment relaxing at the beach.

So, now that you're here... Let's take that cruise down the Southern California coast shall we? I dare you to try to keep count of the palm trees... Where shall we start?

Santa Barbara

Ah... right between the coast and the mountains. This town is laid back and casual and the water is relatively calm. This place is great for a casual dip. Don't be shy!

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Malibu

This is home to some of the most gorgeous beach front hotels and homes in the world. Here's a place where you can wine and dine just inches from the ocean water. If you want luxury, you'll find it here.

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Santa Monica

Fun for the whole family! The Santa Monica Pier will give you an entire day of excitement as will shopping at 3rd Street Promenade and fishing right off the pier!

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Venice

This beach is a staple and no trip down the Southern California beach is complete without a stop on Venice Beach. This is the wackiest beach in Southern California (or maybe the world). Walk up and down the strip and you'll understand why. Not that you'll have to try very hard, but keep your eyes peeled for the various street performers and bargain sales men and women. Get your portrait done. Buy a swirly glass pipe. Watch a man fold himself in half. Get a tattoo. Eat tacos or hot dogs! You've seen this beach on the big and small screens before.

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Marina del Rey

This is an excellent beach for children. There is a small sheltered cove where the little ones can play. There is also a gorgeous harbor equipped with fun for the boat enthusiast!

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Manhattan Beach

This beach is gorgeous and so are the people on it. This beach town sports some bars and hip clothing boutiques so the beach crowd tends to be young and fashionable. Still, like all Southern California beach towns, it's casual and friendly as usual. This is a great place to bike and skate your way around.

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Long Beach

The most notable attraction here is the Queen Mary. Take a ferry to Catalina Island and spend the day relaxing under the sun. Gaze at the undersea life on a glass bottom boat tour!

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Huntington Beach

AKA Surf City! Oh and there's a reason. If you're a surfer, this is a must-visit.

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Newport Beach

A wealth of vacation rentals here including charming beach cottages and beach front hotels. Rent a boat or relax on the clean beach. Take a short ferry ride to Balboa Island for some even more gorgeous places to stay.

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Corona del Mar

This neighborhood floats above the beach and here is where you can find yourself a bluff-top vacation rental that will give you one of the greatest views of your life.

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Laguna Beach

Surely you've heard of this place by now. No matter what you might think of this town, you'll never believe how beautiful its beaches are until you see them yourself. Great restaurants, great art galleries, and of course, the epitome of Southern California beaches.

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San Diego

This is a large city with gorgeous beaches and lots of vacation rentals and hotels to choose from. The water temperature here is unbeatable. Let's take a break from the beach though and check out the San Diego Zoo and Sea World!

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Hope you enjoyed our drive...

So where are you going to stay when you come visit my coastline? That's the best part about Southern California and its breathtaking beaches - there's a place here for everyone.

Southern California hotels have an unfair advantage: perfect beaches, friendly people, and that SoCal sun.

Every resort you try will be trying to out-do the last in affordability, quality, and service. This link will take you to a company that I use every time I travel. The company is called "Tripology" and it helps you Connect with Travel Agents
that are willing to help you plan your trip for free. Once you get to their site, just click "Start Free Trip Request" at the top. It literally channels you to 6,000 expert travel agents who will help you find exclusive deals and plan the route of your vacation.

Find a beach resort or vacation rental in Southern California that offers a variety of amenities and services that suit your demand for quality and/or affordability. The best part is that you can have both! Find yourself a budget inn or motel right on the sand of the Pacific Ocean!

I've included this link on my website because it connects you to a great hotel reviews and prices website called "Hotels Combined". It will search literally thousands of hotels in your destination area for free. The link takes you to their home page, where you can input the gorgeous Southern California coast area that you've already decided to come see :)

Hotels Combined

The most luxurious option you can find is a luxury hotel right on the beach. Whereas the most affordable option would be a budget motel inland, further from the ocean. If on a budget, I would recommend a motel in the following safe but cheaper areas. Click each link to find cheap accommodations in each area:

Culver City
Venice
Santa Monica

These areas will afford you a cheaper place to stay but will keep you close enough to the coast that you'll be only a short drive away!

Southern California is a city of driving. You will need to rent a car in order to truly enjoy yourself. What's a visit to SoCal without cruising the coastline?

Hope you enjoyed the guided tour! Now you need to see it with your own two eyes...