Southern California's Most Popular Beaches

Starting from south to north, these are a sampling of my favorite beaches in Southern California. Each one has a quality and ambiance that sets it apart.

Coronado Beach, San Diego County

Wide stretches of sand with mansions and yacht clubs adding to the ambiance give Coronado Beach a distinctive feel with the famous turn-of-the-century Hotel Del Coronado resort welcoming locals and tourists. Set apart from the City of San Diego, Coronado has a smaller town feel. The Travel Channel has named it one of America's finest beaches. Nearby is Silver Strand Beach which is also removed from the shipping traffic. It's popular with families, campers and is a training area for the Navy SEALS.

Huntington Beach, Orange County

Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), rolls right through Huntington Beach, situated just north of Newport Beach. Surfing is popular at Huntington but swimmers from out-of-state should take note why surfers wear their wet suits regularly: may discover the water is chillier here than along the beaches of San Diego County. The temperature is still cool from the currents coming south from Alaska.

Huntington's city beach is close to shops, restaurants and hotels. Just a quick drive or bike ride to the north is Bolsa Chica State Beach which also offers comfortable stretches of sand. A wildlife sanctuary is situated across from Bolsa Chica on the north bound side of Highway 1.

Santa Monica, Los Angeles County

On the Santa Monica pier there are amusement rides and fish tacos. From the pier to the sand, there is plenty of people-watching opportunities. This gives Santa Monica an appeal for people who like to be in a carnival atmosphere and near city attractions. There is parking at the beach level north and south of the pier while parking is also available on the city streets along the bluffs towering over the sand.

Santa Monica is situated between famed Venice Beach which has more of the street vendors selling bikinis, t-shirts and sunglasses and Will Rogers State Beach to the north which lies just below the community of Pacific Palisades.

A bike path stretching several miles allows riders and roller skaters to move easily north and south. The bike path can get congested and quick stops are needed to avoid pedestrians scurrying across from parking lots to the ocean.

Zuma Beach, Malibu, Los Angeles County

The sand along Zuma Beach is wide and easy on the feet. Volleyball courts and playground equipment cover the beach-scape and restaurants are nearby. Zuma, north of Malibu on Highway 1, is highly rated by Southern California beach-goers and it really is a beach setting for all ages. It's accessible along Highway 1 from Los Angeles. But driving to it from the 101 freeway allows you to experience traveling through the rugged Santa Monica Mountains and displays the diversity in terrain that is unique to Southern California.

There are also picturesque smaller beaches visitors can discover along Highway 1 between Malibu and Zuma. They have no names or placards and they feel like sheltered coves.

It's often possible to see dolphins swimming about 100 yards off shore.

San Buenaventura State Beach, Ventura, Ventura County

Swimming, surfing, volleyball and camping are popular in the heart of Ventura. San Buenaventura State Beach is near the restaurants, shopping and business district of downtown Ventura with major hotels close by. Fishing off the end of the pier is popular and it attracts people from different cultural backgrounds, showing the ethnic diversity found throughout Southern California. A walking and biking trail with plenty of rental shops add to the fun.

There are also several places to rent kayaks to paddle around nearby Ventura Harbor.

Remember, when driving along the freeways to the beaches anytime - even the weekends - can seem like rush hour. So if traffic gets thick coming or going, just "chill out" and know you'll be able to unwind at a comfortable spot on the sand.