who has better beaches? NoCal or SoCal? (San Diego, San Francisco: appointed, houses)

[jeweloflight]

I am still contemplating a move to Cali. I was wondering if the beaches in Northern Cali are any cleaner than Southern Cali? Especially the water. I keep hearing SoCal beaches are sewers! True or not?

[SandyCo]

SoCal beaches are pretty bad, especially after it rains. All of the oil and garbage on the streets gets swept into the storm drains and goes right out to sea. Surfers who have ignored the warnings not to go in the water right after it rains have had skin rashes and other problems.

I don't know a lot about NoCal beaches; I'd imagine that the ones *way* north (north of San Francisco) would be better because there's less population up that way.

There is a website for "beach report cards" that you might want to check out:

[url]www.healthebay.org/brc/statemap.asp[url]

[puffle]

Do you surf? If so, Southern Ca. No. Cal water is much colder and not exactly known for it's beaches.

[gringo istmeño]

Originally Posted by puffle

Do you surf? If so, Southern Ca. No. Cal water is much colder and not exactly known for it's beaches.

Maybe not known for the surfing, but Northern Cal beaches are far more beautiful and pristine (and yes, LOTS colder all year round) Way up north, you`ll find Redwood forests that fall into the ocean, and in SoCAL you basically get stacks upon stacks of houses for your backdrop. Water is much cleaner in the North two, but it gets stormy a lot more too. If you are looking for beauty, go North.

[fastfilm]

Try Maverick's in Half Moon Bay (slightly below S.F.), wooo hoooo, cowabunga!! Surf's up forever with giant, north shore Hawaiian-style monster waves. See "Riding Giants" big-wave surfing documentary by former Dogtown skaterboy Stacy Peralta.

Other posters are right: So. Cal generally has the sandy beaches for surfside activities, No. Cal generally has the rocky cliffs of forests next to the ocean.

[jeweloflight]

Originally Posted by puffle

Do you surf? If so, Southern Ca. No. Cal water is much colder and not exactly known for it's beaches.

Next question, so NoCal beaches are no good for swimming? You mention how cold they are, is that in the dead of summer too?

[gringo istmeño]

Originally Posted by jeweloflight

Next question, so NoCal beaches are no good for swimming? You mention how cold they are, is that in the dead of summer too?

Depends on how north you go- central california waters (say, Monterrey to San Francisco) are a bit warmer in the summer/early fall months. But still considerably colder than southern California waters, which get around 70 degrees F. in the summer. Way up north, past Mendocino, the water is too-cold-to-swim-in all year round (60 degrees F. at the very warmest in the summer). Plus the water is generally rougher in northern California, with dangerous currents and undertow (although not so bad in summer months). If you plan on going in the water in northern/central california, you really need to be an excellent swimmer and wear a wetsuit. For swimming and leisure activities, So Cal beaches are better. Northern California also has the grand-daddy of all fish, the Great White shark, usually not worth worrying about, but always in the back of your mind......

[Des_Demona]

So Cal beaches may be better for swimming but I'd still never set foot in the water there... I lived all along the coast of Southern Cali from Huntington Beach down to Laguna and now I'm in LA and the beaches in South Orange County aren't as bad but the closer you get to LA the water is a nasty black /brown color and the beaches are always so crowded you can't really enjoy yourself anyway. I used to go to the beach but it has become too difficult Don't move to a place just for the beaches, you may be disappointed. Please come check it out first. If you really like good weather and beaches, move to Hawaii. Can't get any better than that!

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

I am a surfer, and I think southern CA's beach's are superior to Norcals for a few reasons: Waves, warmth, color, and sand. Southern California has the whole sandals and beach vibe going on. As other have noted: Norcal, has more of the forest-vibe. Santa Cruz area has a few pretty good beaches. Carmel is a nice beach too. Actually can't complain about most of Califonia's Beaches..

Water quality can be horrible in So Cal; 48 hours rule-no swimming after it rains for two days. The quality is habitually worse off in: LA, Santa Monica, San Diego, or Imperial Beach, CA. For much of the year, Orange County through Northern San Diego County has no brown foam at all.

[l.a.girl]

Depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for the Palm trees, surfers, and boardwalks, Southern California beaches embrace that culture. But there are also some beautiful spots up in San Francisco and also Carmel and San Simeon- more of a clam chowder, bed and breakfast atmosphere,. Morro Bay, Carmel, and Cambria are popular getaways. And the scenery changes as well.