|
There
is an undeniable connection between the ocean and Orange County,
California's lifestyle. Visitors and residents alike are constantly
drawn to our beaches. Our 42 miles of coastline offer up spectacular
views and a wide spectrum of entertainment that all translate into
a certain lifestyle, which you can hear in the music, see in the
fashion, and taste in the food.
A
southbound drive from Seal Beach to San Onofre reveals the allure,
the romance, and the creative energy of the County's beaches. Surfside
Beach, just south of Seal Beach, is guarded and gated, which is
why it may also be the least crowded patch of sand south of Malibu.
If you're traveling light, you can park at nearby Sunset Beach and
walk a few blocks north along the sand.
If
you prefer to bring all your beach toys with you - boogie boards,
fins, beach chairs, volleyballs - head farther south to Bolsa Chica
State Beach, where parking is a breeze, thanks to the 2,500 parking
spaces next to the clean, wide beach or go down to Huntington Beach
where its professional surfing events and youthful lifestyle make
its moniker as Surf City U.S.A well earned.
The
Costa Mesa Freeway spills into Newport Beach at its southern terminal,
explaining one of the reasons why this stretch of coast gets particularly
busy in the summer. The
sand courts at the end of 42nd Street are great for casual two-person
volleyball games, and the surf between 32nd and 44th Streets is
popular for body surfing.
"Big
Corona," in Corona del Mar, is the perfect family spot, with
mild waves for young swimmers, while "Little Corona",
a few blocks south is a favorite tidepool spot. The many small,
rugged coves north of Laguna Beach make for great snorkeling and
scuba diving, while the grassy parkland along the city's Main Beach
is the perfect spot to watch a pro volleyball match or a pick-up
game of basketball. Farther south, Salt Creek Beach Park, just below
the awesome Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel resort, is one of the best
swimming beaches in Orange County.
The
most popular beach campground in all of California can be found
at Doheny State Beach, south of Dana Point Harbor. San Clemente
and San Onofre have a greater assortment of surfing spots - for
both experts and beginners - than anywhere in the world. But the
best way to find your favorite Orange County beach is to just drive
along the coast until you find a spot that looks appealing to you.
Then unpack the car, dip your toe in the water, and let the alchemy
begin.
|
|