Southern California Beaches, which one is best? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ASU2003 · 08-01-2006, 07:50 PM

I'm going to be visiting LA/San Diego for about two days this month. I've never been to the beach in the summer (Well, Michigan beaches aren't quite the same, and that was more than 10 years ago). Which beach would be the best to go to? Are some beaches more crowded than others, or are all of them packed this time of year?

dtheriault · 08-01-2006, 10:01 PM

what do you want to see/do at the beach? girls, solitude, tide pools, swim, surf or body board?

I'm not as familiar with San Diego beaches except that the water is warmer than in LA/OC.

LA beaches are okay (although everyone should visit Venice and Malibu at least once)- in the OC you might want to try:

Huntington Beach by the pier if you want a beach scene including girls and a busy main street scene.

Newport Pier: more mellow and after swimming you can get a great beer at Blackie's.

Past the Balboa Pier (south) you can see the famous wedge: if the waves are up when you visit you can see body surfer's taking on 12 foot + waves in 2 feet of water. When it's pumping there'll be 200 people watching this trainwreck in waiting.

Crystal Cove state beach: very few people, tide pools, smaller waves. You have to walk in and down some cliff-side paths. Los Truncos and Reef point are nice.

Laguna Beach is also a cool place to visit.

A word of warning. Riptides are very common in so cal and take the life of out-of-towners far too often. If you are going to swim check with a local or a lifeguard and find out where it's safer to go in.

bobby · 08-02-2006, 04:34 PM

Leo Carillio Beach ....state park.......was Cisco Kidd's partner,..."O Pancho"

xoxoxoo!!!!

Mister Coaster · 08-03-2006, 09:37 AM

I'm with dtheriault, (being an OC dude myself) those are all good suggestions. My in-laws lived near SD for a while and they report that most of the beaches down that way are pretty sub-par. Of course, this is second hand information.

If you really want to see all the freaks (and I know you probably do) Venice Beach (LA area) is the place to go.

captobvious · 08-04-2006, 10:11 AM

My favorite beach in OC is Huntington Beach (aka Surf City). It has everything you would expect in a beach scene. In the LA area, I agree with the others that Venice Beach is the place to check out. If you like people watching, you'll be in heaven.

SteelyLoins · 08-04-2006, 11:01 PM

San Diego:

Torrey Pines Beach is where the rich bitches go. Also has a fair amount of scuba divers, but I don't think the visibility compares to Hawaii.

Mission Beach is where the young and the weird go. Not quite as intense as Venice Beach, but similar.

Black's Beach is the clothing optional one. Access is difficult, and one end of it tends to be gay.

Coronado Beach is the widest, has been voted the third best beach in the US on occasion.

Oceanside's beach isn't bad.

Farther north, at Dana Point, the surfing is better.

Parking can be an issue at most of them if you arrive later than around 11, especially if it's as hot as it has been lately.

goddfather40 · 08-16-2006, 09:22 PM

Another OC guy here, and, if you still haven't arrived yet, I suggest San Clemente or Laguna Beach, or any number of beaches in between for that matter (Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, Salt Creek, Aliso Beach, etc.) Both of these towns seem to typify the whole beach experience, and, to me, are much more scenic than Huntington or Newport.

tecoyah · 08-17-2006, 04:20 AM

Cliff Diving at the Clam.....such Memories.

No surrender · 08-19-2006, 05:55 PM

Newport Beach - Walk around - have some food at Mutt Lynches and try the coldest beer you have ever had at the dive bar called "Blackies by the Sea" - right on the sand, a small bar - kind of a throw back. Ya gotta go. If you are setting up the towels - head west (to the right if you are facing the ocean) from Newport pier - walk up a few streets and get away from the crowds. Nice beach. Lifeguards if you need them. Water's clean.

Huntington Beach is way fun as well. A small town feel.

Be alert - and don't get too crazy - beach police are fairly strict. No alcohol or smoking allowed on the beach and they are out in force enforcing these rules.

08-01-2006, 07:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	Southern California Beaches, which one is best? I'm going to be visiting LA/San Diego for about two days this month. I've never been to the beach in the summer (Well, Michigan beaches aren't quite the same, and that was more than 10 years ago). Which beach would be the best to go to? Are some beaches more crowded than others, or are all of them packed this time of year? Last edited by ASU2003; 08-01-2006 at 07:52 PM..

08-01-2006, 10:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
dtheriault Psycho Location: maybe utah	what do you want to see/do at the beach? girls, solitude, tide pools, swim, surf or body board? I'm not as familiar with San Diego beaches except that the water is warmer than in LA/OC. LA beaches are okay (although everyone should visit Venice and Malibu at least once)- in the OC you might want to try: Huntington Beach by the pier if you want a beach scene including girls and a busy main street scene. Newport Pier: more mellow and after swimming you can get a great beer at Blackie's. Past the Balboa Pier (south) you can see the famous wedge: if the waves are up when you visit you can see body surfer's taking on 12 foot + waves in 2 feet of water. When it's pumping there'll be 200 people watching this trainwreck in waiting. Crystal Cove state beach: very few people, tide pools, smaller waves. You have to walk in and down some cliff-side paths. Los Truncos and Reef point are nice. Laguna Beach is also a cool place to visit. A word of warning. Riptides are very common in so cal and take the life of out-of-towners far too often. If you are going to swim check with a local or a lifeguard and find out where it's safer to go in. __________________ "Remember, it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen." -Homer Unless you are the freakin Highlander, what is the point in learning how to fight with a sword?

08-02-2006, 04:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
bobby Super Moderator Location: 18,000+ posts on TFP #1,2,3,4 and 5,but I'm not counting!	Leo Carillio Beach ....state park.......was Cisco Kidd's partner,..."O Pancho" xoxoxoo!!!! __________________ "Life goes on,within you,and...with out you !" xoxoxoo

08-03-2006, 09:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mister Coaster Big & Brassy Location: The "Canyon"	I'm with dtheriault, (being an OC dude myself) those are all good suggestions. My in-laws lived near SD for a while and they report that most of the beaches down that way are pretty sub-par. Of course, this is second hand information. If you really want to see all the freaks (and I know you probably do) Venice Beach (LA area) is the place to go. __________________ If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

08-16-2006, 09:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
goddfather40 Llama Location: Cali-for-nye-a	Another OC guy here, and, if you still haven't arrived yet, I suggest San Clemente or Laguna Beach, or any number of beaches in between for that matter (Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, Salt Creek, Aliso Beach, etc.) Both of these towns seem to typify the whole beach experience, and, to me, are much more scenic than Huntington or Newport. __________________ My name is goddfather40 and I approved this message. I got ho's and I got bitches, In C++ I branch with switches -MC Plus+

08-04-2006, 10:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
captobvious Insane Location: Somewhere	My favorite beach in OC is Huntington Beach (aka Surf City). It has everything you would expect in a beach scene. In the LA area, I agree with the others that Venice Beach is the place to check out. If you like people watching, you'll be in heaven.

08-04-2006, 11:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
SteelyLoins Upright	San Diego: Torrey Pines Beach is where the rich bitches go. Also has a fair amount of scuba divers, but I don't think the visibility compares to Hawaii. Mission Beach is where the young and the weird go. Not quite as intense as Venice Beach, but similar. Black's Beach is the clothing optional one. Access is difficult, and one end of it tends to be gay. Coronado Beach is the widest, has been voted the third best beach in the US on occasion. Oceanside's beach isn't bad. Farther north, at Dana Point, the surfing is better. Parking can be an issue at most of them if you arrive later than around 11, especially if it's as hot as it has been lately.

08-17-2006, 04:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
tecoyah Illusionary	Cliff Diving at the Clam.....such Memories. __________________ Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

08-19-2006, 05:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
No surrender Addict Location: West Coast	Newport Beach - Walk around - have some food at Mutt Lynches and try the coldest beer you have ever had at the dive bar called "Blackies by the Sea" - right on the sand, a small bar - kind of a throw back. Ya gotta go. If you are setting up the towels - head west (to the right if you are facing the ocean) from Newport pier - walk up a few streets and get away from the crowds. Nice beach. Lifeguards if you need them. Water's clean. Huntington Beach is way fun as well. A small town feel. Be alert - and don't get too crazy - beach police are fairly strict. No alcohol or smoking allowed on the beach and they are out in force enforcing these rules.