As we round off the calendar of Halloween events, realizing that we’re missing only 10,000 major events in California this season (our calendar is all hand-produced and fact-checked), we’re struck by the amazing things coming your way in upcoming holidays at the California beaches. And the most amazing thing of all is that many of them are free. We spent a lot of time looking up the Nutcracker Ballets simply because of the art form that ballet is and represents. What we discovered and continue to find out along the way is that California is a breeding ground for top choreography and dance talent. The San Francisco Ballet, a recently-formed Los Angeles Ballet, a respected San Diego Ballet, and the traveling Moscow Ballet with its Great Russian Nutcracker presentation all perform in California this 2008 season. Then there’s Long Beach Ballet, Ballet San Jose, Sacramento Ballet, Chico Community Ballet…the list just goes on & on. The bad news is that the ballets do cost money to attend. But when you view the photos and see the costumes and staging, we think you’ll discover that these productions offer opportunities to watch amazing talents. For instance, San Francisco Ballet, has included an Olympic Gold athlete in its all-star cast for this year’s production. If you could care less about ballet, once you realize that the dancers are incredible athletes, perhaps you’ll understand that there’s a lot more to ballet than orchestras and costumes.
How many proposals happen in a romantic setting? More than we’ve counted or can imagine. Our friends at the Sunset Gondola (Tyson & Tim) tell us that proposals have been frequent and have resulted in many successes lately. Thanks to their expert discretion and direction, those of you seeking a romantic experience to propose should check out their Southern California (Huntington Beach) gondola ride.
Then, there are romantic hotels. I enjoyed one such place on a recent trip to Santa Barbara. Harbor View Inn has some premium ocean facing suites with balconies. When the sun sets over Stearns Wharf and Channel Islands, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to ask someone to marry you than one of these suites. Priced at several hundred dollars, the investment is well worth you money if your goal is to impress someone important in your life. Thought, location, intention and planning all can help you execute the ideal proposal. Whether a wedding is in the cards or some important proposition, do check out the intimate boutique style hotel on the waterfront in Santa Barbara!
When a friend I strolled on the wooden pier at Seal Beach last night, he said he thought the sunset there was so much better than Huntington Beach. I live in HB and was tempted to argue the point. But refraining from such, I asked why he thought this to be true. He liked the vistas and the way the sun dropped down near the crest of the mountain that forms the Palos Verdes peninsula.
I am no expert on sunsets but have photographed a few California beach sunsets during my 10 years as web mistress and publisher of this site. Truth is, I am hard pressed to proclaim one sunset wins above all the rest. I have noticed the sunsets that I’ve seen recently on the Central Coast (Pismo, especially), take on beautiful, rich pink tones. Maybe I will take a vote and let some other people chime in on what they prefer in a beach sunset in California. If you care to share your concept of what comprises the perfect beach sunset, don’t hesitate to let me know what you think. For me personally, I favor definition and contrast, such as the photo above showing the Seal Beach Pier at sunset.
Industry’s Pacific Palms Resort – 650 wooded acres on a hill with sweeping views of Los Angeles are trademarks of the Pacific Palms Resort. A $60 million renovation transformed the property into a great weekend escape for local. 292 renovated guestrooms, six suites and two presidential suites decorated with granite bathroom surfaces, floor-to-ceiling windows with plantation shutters, balconies, executive-style workstations and ergonomic chairs are the interior attractions. Outdoors, you’ll find two 4-star Golf Digest-rated championship courses, a driving range, practice area and three putting greens. The 11,000-square-foot Spa at Pacific Palms features a Zen-like environment and Asian-inspired treatments. RED Restaurant & Bar, a hip destination restaurant with fireside dining and stunning views tops off your on-site amenities and attractions in Industry Hills, CA.
Santa Barbara, one of California’s favorite beach vacations, offers not just great ocean sports, shopping and history walks, it also has long been known for its dining. State Street, the hub of the city cultural faire, includes foods from nearly every ethnic persuasion. But down on the ocean where people love to dine for a view, you’ll find a handful of restaurants to keep you satisfied. And–believe it or not–several offer reasonable prices, as well! Two of our picks are Eladio’s & Sambos.
For those who like good food at reasonable prices in a world class location overlookng the beaches of Santa Barbara, well, look no further!
This blog post is about regaining our California beaches when summer ends. Shown above is one perfect example of a beach that’s over-run in the summer–Avalon on Catalina Island. But in the fall, it’s the prime time to take a boat ride over to the island.
For us “locals” (live within, say 3 miles of a beach) who have fought the summer crowds both on Coast Highway and on the beach, summer seems to have lasted so long. More & more people went to the beach in 2008 as the trend to spend less on gas and stay close to home had Californians hunkered down at the beach. In my home town (Huntington Beach), if you didn’t get to the beach early on a weekend, the parking was gone and the streets were packed. So many days I had to run an errand and found myself sitting in traffic for more than a mile just saying to myself, how could I let this happen? But the good news is that views on even a jam-packed summer day from Pacific Coast Highway are outstanding, and sitting allows you to soak it all in.
Now it’s October. On week nights the bonfire pits in front of the Hyatt and Hilton have trickled down to a handful. Weekends pick up a bit and you’ll see church groups, high school groups, families and corporate event break-out sessions all snuggled around bonfires aglow as the sun sets over the Huntington Beach Pier.
One night I took in three piers–Seal Beach, Huntington, and Newport Pier, to experience what I recommended to a family I met from Vancouver, B.C. I told them not to miss a variety of beaches on their outings off-site of Disneyland. Then I wondered if my advice was good, so I checked it out. All I know is that I had a good time. I’m not sure how the Canadians held up with their toddlers, however.
Why is it a good time to go to the beach now?
Less crowds for those who don’t like sand kicked in your eyes as you sunbathe on a jam-packed beach.
Nice weather. California is known for its great Octobers. Let’s see–yesterday hit 85 degrees which is a bit too warm, but today it was 74 degrees–much better!
Ample parking which works for me.
Hotel rooms are available which is important to visitors.
If you need help on planning a vacation to a California beach this season, I will help you. But the offer is only good during this relaxed season, and only valid if I’m not at the beach.