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.:A Desert Lifestyle Article:.

Which Beach Fits You? A guide to California's Beaches
By: Erin Martinez

When you heard that you were going to be stationed in California, I’m sure your first thought was of the beautiful beaches and lovely palm tree lined streets often seen in the movies, right? Then you arrived in Twentynine Palms and said, “Ok, I see a few palm trees; where’s the ocean?”

Don’t worry, we live less than three hours from some of the most amazing beaches on the West Coast. Now, if you would like to lie on the beach and soak in the Southern Californian sun, please skip to the resources at the bottom of the page. But, if you’re like me, a Midwestern girl, and donning a bikini and running down the beach like this season’s Baywatch girl is not your idea of enjoyment, keep reading! Here are some of my recommendations for activities that Southern California beaches can offer you. We’ll leave the rest to the 20-something spring breakers!

Family Weekend Getaway
Belmont Park in San Diego is Mission Beach’s most famous attraction. This beachfront amusement park offers everything from rides and games to shopping and dining. The best part? Parking and admission are free! Belmont’s distinctive attraction, the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, was originally built in 1925 and just underwent restoration. This local landmark is a ride not to miss. An all day unlimited ride wristband is available from $15.95 to $21.95.

Pooch Paradise
Many dog-friendly beaches line the coast of Southern California, but the one I enjoy most is the dog beach at Fiesta Island in the Mission Bay area of San Diego. Fiesta Island offers not only the waterfront of the bay for Spike and Stella to play in, but also a semi-contained open space that allows for running. If your dogs are like mine and love to run, you won’t ever have to worry about them getting too far from you. After all, you are on an island. One way in and one way out! If you or your furry friend would prefer the surf and sand, two beaches are highly recommended: San Diego’s Dog Beach in the Ocean Beach area or Huntington Dog Beach further north.

A Trip Back in Time
Take a step back in time at Crystal Cove State Park. The beach’s picturesque cottages were built during the 1920s after a lumber ship capsized and provided the wood for construction. The Irvine Company owned the land for many years and rented out the historic homes to a few lucky families. In 1979, the State of California purchased the land from the Irvine Company to form a state park. The State of California reconstructed several cottages and now rents them out for overnight stays. Crystal Cove State Beach is one of the few places left in Orange County where you can walk for miles along a coastline still in its natural state. The offshore waters are designated as an underwater park, with excellent conditions for scuba and skin divers. Visitors can explore tide pools and sandy coves or just kick back on the sand and take in the wonderful scenery. Cottage 46, distinguished by its turquoise color, is open on weekends as a visitors’ center for the Crystal Cove Historic District.

MCCS offers its own flavor of Southern California beach life with camping, cottages and Inns of the Corps available aboard Camp Pendleton. You can rent a beachfront cottage for as little as $60 per night! In June, Camp Pendleton’s new South Mesa Lodge held its grand opening. This beautiful inn’s 48 rooms and 21 suites provide a breathtaking view of the Pacific. You’ll also want to check out the services available at Pendleton’s San Onofre and Del Mar beaches. Whether you’re looking to explore a piece of coastal history, hoping to get the dog some exercise or craving cotton candy and a roller coaster ride, Southern California has a beach waiting for you.