Best and Closest Pacific Ocean Beaches to Phoenix Area (Tucson: rental, subdivision)

[tony_Philly1979]

Valley Native-


Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it! Yes, I'm wondering about crossing the Mexico border on my own, don't know the language well and feel at risk more going on my own there. I'd prefer to drive the extra hrs. and go to SoCal beaches you mentioned. I have to see one of them before leaving the area, got to see the Pacific once in my life. I'll check out the beaches you mentioned above.


The ocean beaches back east are refreshing get away from the oppressive heat and humidity combination just 20-30 miles inland from the coast. By the mid July most of the Mid Atlantic waters are around 75 deg. or little more and comfortable with ocean breeze.

[asufan]

I grew up in Oange County CA and spent a great deal of time at Doheny Beach, which was under 15 minutes away as well as various beaches in Laguna Beach. I like the beaches in Laguna a little more. Newport I don't like as much due to the crowds, but if you're an accompshed surfer the wedge is a challenge. My in-laws live near Corona del Mar beach which is nicer than the peninsula in the Newport area IMO.

In San Diego area Mission Beach/Pacific Beach is basically the same area and has crowds and college kids as well as a small amusement park. Staying in the San Diego area is La Jolla Shores which is more relaxed and the water is calmer and shallower for longer distances. There's several more in the area such as Coronado and Ocean Beach. Stay away from Imperial Beach due to the Tijuana River. My favorite of all of the above is Laguna Beach but I may be biased having grown up down the road from there.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by LBTRS

Don't know what the water temp is on the east coast but the water is too cold in southern California beaches to really enjoy the water. I don't know that the water temp is ever above 70 degrees.

Last time we went was in late August and the water temp was 66 degrees and we froze.

Been in the Pacific Ocean hundreds if not thousands of times by now, and while the water is on the colder side, it's definitely not too cold to get in for most people. I do have friends that never go in but most of us have no problem doing so.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Another beach I like is Imperial Beach which is south of San Diego ... not exactly a high end place, but I've noticed it's less crowded than many other beaches around the San Diego area.

Only if you like the toilet paper between your toes while you're surfing

IB has less crowds because the TJ river dissects it and brings all of the TJ poop water to the Pacific. I avoid it at all times, but I would especially do so after a rain. That beach gets closed often for this reason.

[tony_Philly1979]

Thanks! I'll make sure to stay away from Imperial Beach near San Diego, TJ poop and waste, yikes! Even Atlantic City NJ beaches have cleaned their act up from 30 some years ago when the casinos opened up along the board walk in 1978. On the AC boardwalk and within a block or two you're fine but walk any further and you'll see America's urban decay at it's finest. The casinos cleaned up the AC beaches but did nothing for the decaying surrounding neighborhoods.


Although I got off the topic a little, here's a song remembering what happened to Atlantic City by "The Boss".



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3eu1gW-bQ8

[phx1205]

Originally Posted by asufan

I grew up in Oange County CA and spent a great deal of time at Doheny Beach, which was under 15 minutes away as well as various beaches in Laguna Beach. I like the beaches in Laguna a little more. Newport I don't like as much due to the crowds, but if you're an accompshed surfer the wedge is a challenge. My in-laws live near Corona del Mar beach which is nicer than the peninsula in the Newport area IMO.

In San Diego area Mission Beach/Pacific Beach is basically the same area and has crowds and college kids as well as a small amusement park. Staying in the San Diego area is La Jolla Shores which is more relaxed and the water is calmer and shallower for longer distances. There's several more in the area such as Coronado and Ocean Beach. Stay away from Imperial Beach due to the Tijuana River. My favorite of all of the above is Laguna Beach but I may be biased having grown up down the road from there.

Laguna is great, love that town and the beach. I think the OP might like Pacific Beach or Laguna for the scenery.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by phx1205

Laguna is great, love that town and the beach. I think the OP might like Pacific Beach or Laguna for the scenery.

I would actually compare La Jolla to Laguna Beach...similar cliffs, similar topography and lower density residential around, both upscale areas. Pacific Beach/Mission Beach has more of the party atmosphere with the bars and boardwalk, crowds, Belmont Park, bike rentals, etc. Based on what the op mentioned I think PB/MB is more what they are looking for.

[cjseliga]

The Gulf Stream on the east coast and the California Stream on the west coast are pretty much exact opposites when it comes to temperatures and directions. With the California Stream pulling cold water south from British Columbia to Baja California and the Gulf Stream pulling warm waters north from the Caribbean and Florida.

[lvmensch]

You might consider after labor day. The beaches of OC and LA get better later in the year. Water temperature comes way up. The summer climate at the SCA beaches is not great in the summer...June gloom lasts until September. I like Seal Beach which is convenient to LA and Long Beach. Newport Beach if you want to party and some good surf. Laguna and on down is fine. Can do a bit of snorkeling around Laguna and down at La Jolla.

Another thought is try Catalina. It is actually the only civilized beaches for an easterner. Warmer water and the wind blows the right way. The Avalon Beach is a quiet lagoon. More active outside the harbor. Not a bad snorkel for S. CA.

[breakingbad]

I completely disagree! Rocky Point for this guy for sure. I am from NoVA and have been to Ocean City, Maryland, Virginia Brach, Va and most recently Emerald Isle, NC and he would enjoy Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) better than SoCal. The beaches are so cold there that the last time I as there I wore three layers of clothes on the beach!
He/She can party at Mission Beach Beach boardwalk, but the water is too cold!
I am off too Rocky Point soon and look forward to the warm green weather, pools and nice Las Palomas condo! I've been to many Islands in the Carribean and Rocky Point is definitely more like them than the Pacific Ocean.