Best Southern California Beach to vacation (San Diego, Santa Monica: real estate, how much, shops)

[supercad55]

In your opinion what is the best Southern California beach to visit and why

[nightlysparrow]

Venice Beach, because you have the Boardwalk shopping, lots of food choices, Muscle Beach weightlifters, street entertainers, and plenty of interesting/odd folks to people-watch.

[RosieSD]

It depends on who is doing the vacationing and what they'd like to do during their "beach vacation." I'd recommend different beaches for a family with kids than I would a single person looking to party or someone looking for an upscale experience. I'd also suggest different beaches for someone looking to just lay on the sand than I would someone looking to hike or surf. And, the vacation budget would have to factor in too.

So, if you're looking for recommendations, let us know more about yourself, the people accompanying you (if any), what type of experience you're looking for, and your budget.

[sacreole]

Southern California beaches are very diverse. As RosieSD mentioned, we would need to know more about your interests and who you'll be traveling with. Certain beaches are great for people watching such as Venice, Santa Monica or Pacific Beach. Other beaches are great for exploring tide pools and interacting with nature such Abalone Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes, Laguna Beach or La Jolla. Are you into volleyball, surfing, swimming or diving?

[Algiz]

Originally Posted by supercad55

In your opinion what is the best Southern California beach to visit and why

La Jolla Cove in San Diego would be where I'd go.

Why:

It is truly beautiful, very diverse scenery, beaches, something to do for everyone from young kids to retirees and and even more for those in between. And again, within walking distance there are shops and places to eat galore.

At the Cove, there are caves to explore right there along with a unique beach with waves right there, but also easy swimming in calm waters out to buoys if that's your thing. (no surfing, though, but diving and snorkeling ideal)

Windansea beach and other small beaches like Shell beach are a short stroll away on sidewalks that run along the rocks above the water with unique rock formations on the sand, so you can be kind of private on your beach towel despite a crowded area. (Of course, the tide will dictate how much soft sand you have to lie on!) Because of the rocks formations along the beach, you can also have some shade depending on time of day.

If you prefer a huge, soft-sandy beach with volleyball nets and such, La Jolla Shores is a short drive north. You've also got Scripps close. Blacks beach you'll have to hike down the cliffs, but you get a much quieter beach and you get to watch the hang gliders above flying off the cliffs. Scripps beach is similar to La Jolla Shores with lots of soft sand "real estate." From La Jolla Cove, you can see both Scripps and Blacks beaches.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot! - At the Cove, you can walk a bit to The Children's Pool, where you can see LOTS of seals and sea lions bathing in the sun on the sand in a uniquely constructed area that was made originally for ...children, to prevent waves from hitting the beach. Now the sea lions have pretty much taken it over, and it's dedicated to the animals for half the year. It's kind of like a real Sea World right there. It's pretty, pretty cool. Kids and adults LOVE to check out the seals.

Like other posters have mentioned, it depends what you're looking for, but there's a reason La Jolla is often mentioned when talking about the best beaches in SoCal. There's something for everyone often within walking distance, but...it may well be one of the more expensive places to go, but you could always stay a bit inland or south in Pacific Beach for lower rates on accommodations.

Wherever you end up, Have Fun!