Question for Californians

Okay, so I'm wanting to go on a vacation to California (I live in Alaska, and our winters are just depressing as fuck) and am curious as to what beach is considered the best by you guys.

I've only been to Pismo beach and the San Francisco area before, so any other tips for where to go and what to check out would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

PS I'm planning on going around March during my college's spring break and would prefer to not be mobbed by tourists- so please don't suggest the super tourist places haha. I'm not an asshole tourist and don't like those places much. Thanks again.

 

but...aren't you a tourist?

 

Humboldt/Mendocino area has some beautiful beaches. Its all redwood coast. I lived there for about a year yet dont remember any of the beach names. derf. Just google humboldt or something. You'll love it.

 

haha Sarah_Again, I meant those obnoxious tourists who gape over everything and act... well, obnoxious.

I just want to rent a cute little beach cottage and sun bathe and swim for a week and just de-stress and chill.

And thanks Mandyland, I'll be sure to check that out! Sounds lovely

 

And I'm searching on Craigslist for places people are renting out (like time shares they don't use, etc etc) and on the 'Humboldt County' one they have an Alaskan Vacation Package listed! lol! Wtf? If they're trying to lure up Californians during winter they're shit out of luck indeed. And we don't even have counties up here, so it's not even like it's an honest mistake.

Just felt like sharing, I found it ironic and funny

 

we have a few fun/nice beaches. One i live by are Huntington/Hermosa/Redondo/Santa Monica (I suggest this one for a night trip)/and Sunset and Corona Del Mar.


Lots of fun

 

santa cruz is fun

 

That's exactly where I live... and it is awesome! So I 'highly' recommend it! The Trinidad area of Humboldt is my favorite part. There are quite a lot of nice rentals there that are right on the beach.

 

There is such a tremendous difference between Northern and Southern Calif. If you're looking to sunbathe, surf, be warm, you're chances are better in SoCal. The northern beaches are cooler, foggier, sometimes sunny in the afternoon. Think the difference between (sorta) Seattle and (almost) Mexico. That's how different the north and south of Calif is. Almost always....with few exceptions.

 

Wow, you guys really came through for me Thanks a bunch!

You guys had a lot of great ideas, and I did find some stuff in Trinidad that looked cool (antithesis' idea), but I might have to pull for a touristy spot and go to some ridiculously crowded southern spot depending on my friend who's also going. He's all about the sunshine, where I honestly just want a little sun and no snow! (Seriously, anything more than 5 hours of daylight is awesome in my book).

Thanks again for your help!

 

Sunshine is definitely in short supply in Northern Cali! Although at this time of the year, you might actually get a nicer day that you expect. Sometimes it is really sunny and gets quite warm during the winter... during the summer is when the fog is reeeaaallly bad.

But if you are looking for a lot of sun, you should probably go south

 

You're welcome, Alaska. Antithesis is correct. Sounds like you're goal might be more toward the southern coast. I can promise you won;t find snow along the west coast anywhere, tho'

Enjoy!

 

Co-signed

 

Santa Cruz is indeed awesome. I camped out at Big Sur for a few days once, too, but that isn't "beachy." I'm also a big fan of Huntington and Santa Monica. I camped at Leo Carrillo (near Malibu) and it was amazing, and much cheaper than renting a room or a cottage. But the cottage idea does sound romantic.

 

Haha, too bad I'm going with a gay guy. And the camping is out, he likes his creature comforts and likes the cottage idea over the camping

Thanks for the idea though!

 

ftw minus the tweakers

 

lol. Eureka is like the tweeker capital of california or something. I met so many crazies when I lived there.

 

antithesis...where in humboldt do you live? I lived about 2 blocks from HSU in Arcata. I miss it so!!!! However, I went back there last summer to visit some friends and was kind of dissapointed at how run down it has gotten. When I lived there there was a high "street kid" population....which is fine. However last time I went it seemed they had taken over Arcata completely!
I remember Trinidad. I spent a lot of time on the beach there. It was my favorite get away spot.

 

I live in the east Bay Area, and my favorite beach is on your way to stinsion, but before you get there, call Muir beach on San Rafael/Marin peninsula. 1/2 of it is a nude beach and thus pretty private and sheltered from all the kids. It is also an off-leash dog friendly beach, and stunningly beautiful with a couple tide pools. I see otters, seals, crabs and pelicans frequently, but I have never heard of any shark sightings (unlike stinson) which makes it great for swimming. Its on the cold side, because its foggy and doesnt get a ton of sun, but in the summer I am out there every weekend.

 

Semaphore beach In Adelaide. I dotn care what anyone says, Its the best beach In the damn world