Tag Archives: beaches

Best Beaches in Southern California

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As Spring Break comes to a close, I reflect on all of the great memories I had over the past week. For me, Spring Break is a time to hang out with loved ones and to relax. The best place to do both of these things (in my opinion), is meeting up at the beach. As a local, I try to go to the beach as regularly as I can. There is no better feeling than taking a dip in crystal-clear water on a hot, sunny day. Below are four of my favorite beaches to visit in the springtime and summer.

  1. Heisler Park: This is my all-time favorite beach to visit. Most people and tourists flock to the main beach in Laguna. However, Heisler is more tucked away and less crowded. I’ve found that this beach consistently has clear water. Another perk of this beach is that you can also explore tidal pools and rock formations on the beach. The waves at Heisler Park can vary in size; sometimes they are mellow but quite frequently there are bigger waves. Tip: There is free parking across the street, and the walk isn’t far at all.

2. Treasure Island Beach: Though Treasure Island can often be busy at times, it is still one of my favorites to go to. This beach is very picturesque, the small staircase you walk down brings you to a beach with panoramic views of the ocean. Personally, I enjoy this beach because you can typically find an area to sit in since there is a lot of space. Like Heisler, Treasure Island has pretty water. Note: when I went to this beach, the waves were fairly small.

3. Salt Creek: Located in Dana Point, Salt Creek is one of the most popular beaches to go to in SOCAL—and for a good reason. I love this spot for watching the sunset and eating dinner. Salt Creek has a large grassy area where you can see many people having small picnics. If you enjoy walking or running, this is the beach to go to; there is a trail that goes along the beach. (If you want to run on the beach, it is about 3 miles from point to point.)

4. Victoria Beach: Victoria Beach is located in Laguna Beach (you can’t go wrong with Laguna). After parking, head down a small street that leads to Victoria Beach. When entering the beach, it looks like any other beach. However, if you walk down further to the right, you’ll see a medieval-esque tower that faces the ocean. Along your walk to the mini-castle, there is a small man-made pool that can be fun to wade in. One con to this beach is that it is very touristy; and extremely frustrating to find parking. Sometimes, you’ll have to park far away which will include a hilly walk to the beach. Nonetheless, Victoria Beach is stunning to visit and should be a staple when visiting beaches.

Places to visit in Kauai, Hawaii

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Kauai is one of 137 islands in the state of Hawaii. Also known as the Garden Island, Kauai is revered for its lush landscape with steep cliffs that meet aqua-blue water. I had the privilege of visiting this island last June for about a week. Prior to going on this vacation, I researched this island and found it to be extremely helpful when wondering what to do or see. When going to Hawaii, most people flock to Oahu; and while this island is pretty and has amazing food, Kauai is remote and prettier (in my opinion). Below are places and things to do if visiting Kauai.

Beaches

  1. Tunnels Beach – This was my favorite beach on my visit to Kauai. If you are looking for a place to snorkel, Tunnels is the place to go. At Tunnels, the coral was huge and there was a large variety of sea life. The best part of this beach is the view of the mountains in the background with the beach at your feet.
  2. Anini Beach – Located in the northern part of Kauai, Anini Beach is known for being a family-friendly beach. The water at this beach remains shallow for about 30 feet out. However, the best part about this beach was the amount of turtles. When I was snorkeling, I believe I saw turtles 15-20 times. Another pro about this beach is that there is a lot of shade so beach umbrellas aren’t needed.
  3. Hanalei Bay – Hanalei Bay is one of the most popular beaches in Kauai to visit–and for good reason. At this beach, you are surrounded by panoramic views of golden-sand beaches and a range of mountains. Also, there is a pier that you can jump off of for fun.
  4. Poipu Beach – This is another family-friendly beach on the south shore of Kauai. Poipu Beach is great for snorkeling and relaxing. A con of this beach is that it is always crowded. However, if you are in the area of Poipu, stop by this beach.

Hikes/Other Activities

  1. Kalalau Trail – Hiking is a major activity that you HAVE to do in Kauai. This particular trail stretches 22 miles in length (you have to have a permit to do all of it). I only hiked to Hanakāpīʻai Beach which was 4 miles round-trip. This hike was so beautiful and the views along the coast were gorgeous. After the beach, you can hike to Hanakāpīʻai Falls (8 miles roundtrip). Overall, Kalalau Trail is a must-do when visiting Kauai.
  2. Waimea Canyon – Waimea Canyon is named the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and was formed from the collapse of a volcano. The unique terrain of this canyon is an attraction you should see. I believe that you can hike this, but my family and I just drove to different lookouts to see the Canyon.
  3. Lydgate Farms Chocolate Tour – As a chocolate fanatic, I was so excited to visit this Chocolate Farm. While you can book a tour to explore the farm, I just went to the gift shop. At the gift shop, an employee gives you a chocolate lecture where you learn about the origins of the cacao and try the products. I’ve tried a bunch of chocolate in my life and I can confidently say this was the best chocolate I’ve ever had. Lydgate Farms makes their chocolate in small batches which was evident considering how delicious the chocolate was.
  4. Na Pali Coast Boat Tour – Last but not least, you NEED to go on a Boat Tour (or helicopter tour) to see the Na Pali coast. I would recommend going with the company Captain Andy’s and booking the “Na Pali Raft Day Expedition.” On this boat tour, we went through sea caves, snorkeled, ate lunch at an ancient fishing town, and saw the Na Pali coast. This was hands down my favorite memory from the trip. The Na Pali coast is breathtaking and the water was the color of blue Gatorade. In addition to doing cool activities on this tour, you’ll learn much about the history of Kauai and its people.

Places to Eat

  1. Wishing Well Shave Ice
  2. Kenji Burger
  3. Wailua Drive-In

Photos

Tunnels Beach

Na Pali Coast

Wishing Well Shave Ice

Best Beaches for the Summer

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It’s summer, and one of the summer activities that are always good but especially on hot days is to take a trip down to the beach. There are a lot of local beach spots that are great for swimming and scenery or to just relax and unwind, here are some of my personal favorites.

Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach is one of my personal favorite beach spots. There are many beach choices in this area. One of the best beaches at Laguna Beach is Heisler Park. This is because it is great for walking on as well as swimming since it is sandy and not rocky. This beach also has a marine reserve with tide pools that you can explore as well. Another great beach in Laguna Beach is Treasure Island Beach. This beach is a great spot to snorkel and observe sea life, and it is also good for swimming and has clear water as well.

Balboa Beach: Another great local beach to visit is Balboa Beach near Newport Beach. It is a very calm beach and is great for swimming, and is a great place to relax as well. There is also a pier with fishing and restaurants, as well as a ferry to the nearby Balboa Island. The beach is also very clean with clean restrooms as well.

Crystal Cove: One of the best local beaches to go to is Crystal Cove in Newport Beach. The surf is also very calm and it is also a good spot for swimming. It is also a good spot for snorkeling and has coral reefs and lots of sea life as well. It also has several tide pools to visit and is great for taking a walk as well. There are also hiking trails above the beach that give great views of the ocean.

Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach has a large variety of activities to do as well. The areas close to the beaches there are good for swimming as they are mostly calm, but some areas of the beach have larger waves making them a great spot for surfing and there are in fact several surfing competitions held in the area. This area is also great for paddleboarding and there is also a pier on this beach, which has fishing and views of the ocean as well as great spots for photos.

Corona Del Mar: Corona Del Mar is also a very scenic local beach with plenty of things to do. This beach has views of much of the local coastline and is a great place to get photos, with cliffs and rock formations, and you can even see as far as Catalina Island on some days. The beach is located in a cove which makes it very calm and good for swimming. It is also a great snorkeling spot as it is clear as well which allows for great views of the sea life. I would recommend walking on this beach as it has walking trails along the beach, and it has great views of the sunset as well.

I hope everyone has a great summer and that this helps you to find the best activities this summer!

The Best Beaches in Southern California

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During my time in Palo Alto, which is unfortunately many hours away from Southern California, the thing that I’ve missed the most are our beaches. I would consider myself to be an authority on the best beaches in Southern California, and I’ll go over some of my favorite ones.

Laguna Beach (Main Beach): Large, irreproachably beautiful, but often crowded with tourists. In the summer, the sands are filled with people escaping the Midwest cold, and it’s hard to find a spot to sit down. Another result of the beach’s popularity is that people leave their garbage on the sand, which is fun for no one. If you’re new to the city of Laguna Beach, this is definitely a place you must visit but there are better options.

Laguna Beach (Victoria Beach): Victoria Beach is a smaller, more private beach than Main Beach. While still taking advantage of the warmth and beauty of the area, Victoria Beach is cleaner and better for large gatherings.

Salt Creek Beach: As another very popular beach, Salt Creek is famous for its great waves and exciting atmosphere for all levels of beach-goers. You may have to walk down a very long, steep hill to get down to the water, but when you really feel the struggle is on the way up. While I’ve seen every age group at “Creek,” it’s most likely you’ll be surrounded by teenagers when you stop by. It’s also worth noting that you must pay for parking during certain hours.

Strands Beach: Strands Beach (which is really just “Beach Beach,” because Strand is German for beach) is a free, slightly less exhilarating version of Salt Creek. Many people appreciate this beach for the fact that you can see the sunset on the water, but its clean shore and laid-back atmosphere are also great!

Seal Beach: Although I’ve only visited Seal Beach a few times, what struck me about this beach were its rich culture and its clean, warm sand. It has a very easygoing feeling about it and seems like it would make a great day trip for any family out there.

Aliso Beach: Aliso Beach is a relatively small beach that you can drive right up to. When you get into the water, you’ll notice its sharp decline very quickly. This beach is great for small events, but its not my favorite on this list.

Doheny Beach: Doheny is definitely a surfer’s beach. It’s rocky, not sandy, so no need to shuffle on the sand to scare away stingrays, but I always feel like I’ll freeze to death in the water. This beach also has paid parking, but that shouldn’t be a deterrent. No matter what level of surfer you are, it’s a great experience.

Linda Lane: This hidden gem is a fun, family-friendly getaway. The unfortunate parking situation is typical with most beaches, but the only bad thing about this beach is its slim wedge of sand separating the rocks from the water. If you stay until high tide, it’s likely you’ll run out of room, so plan your stay accordingly. While I may seem overly critical of this beach, it’s truly an amazing place!

Reasons Why You Should Chose Philippines For Your Next Vacation Destination

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https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/ultimate-guides/boracay-white-beach-guide

Imagine letting go of all your stress and letting yourself get engulfed in the feeling of relaxation as the sun beams its violent rays. I can guarantee you that this is one of the feelings you will experience in the beautiful country of the Philippines. The Philippines is a country located in Southeast Asia with a population of approximately 106.7 million people, and it is especially known for its breathtaking tropical beaches that draw in visitors worldwide, especially during the summer. You should consider going to the Philippines for your next vacation because of its popular tropical beaches, its dangerous but mesmerizing volcanoes, and its friendly citizens. 

One of the reasons why you should travel to this beautiful country of the Philippines for your next vacation is because of its very well-known tropical beaches. Because the Philippines is an archipelago, it consists of more than 7,000 islands, resulting in a vast variety of beaches in the Philippines. The Philippines has over a hundred beaches that all capture the beauty of the country. Many of these beaches have scorching sand due to the summer heat of the Philippines, but it is very soft to the touch. Not to mention, the oceans of these beaches are mesmerizing just by themselves. The beautiful teal and turquoise color of the shallow ocean as it transitions into a deep blue as the ocean gets less shallow is just a great sight to see. Some examples of these beaches are White Beach in Boracay, Nacpan Beach in El Nido, Palawan, Alona Beach in Nohol, and many more. 

Adding on, consider adding the Philippines to your next vacation destination because of the volcanoes there. The Philippines lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is where most volcanoes are, which is why there are countless volcanoes in the Philippines. Although harmful and dangerous, the volcanoes of the Philippines are a sight to see. One of the most popular volcanoes in the world and the most famous volcano in the Philippines is Mount Mayon in Luzon. Since this fury-active volcano is dangerous to be near, you could stay at a hotel near Mount Mayon and still be able to take in the sights of this marvelous volcano.

Lastly, you should visit the Philippines because the people there are very friendly! Despite most Filipinos not being able to communicate with tourists because of the different languages, they still show their hospitality and kindness. The people of the Philippines are very sweet and very festive, whether in the Philippines or not. Filipinos are very full of love, and they are mostly very joyful. Even if they are not living the best life, they try to make the most of what they have and remain hopeful. It is unlikely that you will have a bad experience with the people of the Philippines during your vacation. 

In conclusion, you should keep the Philippines in mind for the next time you go on vacation. The beautiful tropical beaches of the Philippines are like magnets that attract people worldwide, and the various volcanoes in the Philippines are very dangerous but also alluring, just making the Philippines very beautiful. The people of the Philippines are so kind and warm-hearted that they make the Philippines more beautiful than it already is. Thus, you should go to the Philippines, or at least consider it for your next vacation.

Books about the Philippines are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. They are also available to download for free from Libby.

Ode to the Beach Poem

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Whenever I see you I am comforted,

By your magnificent waves that crash against the sand.

When I see you I think of the magical creatures that are swimming in your oceans,

As well as the trillions of rainbow-colored fish I see each time I snorkel in your waters.

Whenever I step foot onto your sand,

I feel the sand between my toes,

That feels like home.

You provide a sense of comfort whenever I come to you,

As well as everyone else like my family and friends.

You provide a gathering spot where people of all ages can socialize and have fun,

And play in the sun.

Your oceans are sparkling like big diamonds wherever I look at them,

Which provide perfect picture spots.

There is so much I can do when I come to you,

Like play with sand toys in the sand,

Which make great big sandcastles,

That causes friendly competition.

And I can play in the water,

Whenever I go in,

I feel like I am by myself,

And that time has stopped.

I will always love coming to you.

-Abby V.