By Karen Sprinkles
Some of the best things to see and do in Southern California are free, or close to it, especially when it comes to visiting the
beach communities. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a host of outdoor activities along the state's scenic coastline, where beachside communities like Laguna Beach, San Clemente and Newport Beach present a wealth of activities.
Whale Watching
The annual migration of the gray whales takes place along the Southern California coastline from mid-December to early April. Visitors can easily observe whales from many vantage points along the coast. Whale watching tours depart from Dana Point Harbor, Newport Beach and San Diego, among others. You can also find a scenic bluff and enjoy the view with a pair of binoculars.
San Clemente Pier
Locals enjoy dropping a line off the municipal pier for some free fishing, but there is also plenty of seafood to partake in at the indoor/outdoor restaurants located on the pier itself. With tandem surfers often practicing their moves in the surf below, visitors can enjoy watching surfing competitions, beach activities and the plethora of pelicans that frequent the area.
Skimboarding
The sport of skimboarding finds its roots in Laguna Beach, where the quality of the waves and superb, sandy beaches combine to make it one of the premier destinations for the sport. Favorite skimboarding spots include Ninth Street Beach and Aliso Beach in South Laguna, along with Victoria Beach, Pearl Street, Brooks Street, Thalia and Crescent Bay. If you're not quite up to the task, it's always fun to watch--there is no shortage of skimboarders in Laguna on any given day.
Balboa Island Ferris Wheel
Balboa Fun Zone, located on Newport Beach's Balboa Peninsula, has been a local landmark since the 1930s. Its venerable Ferris wheel lights up Newport Harbor each night, where arcades, a carousel, fun food and shops combine to make the Fun Zone one of the last great coastal amusement spots on the West Coast. To reach Balboa Pennisula, take a trip across the bay on the Balboa Island Ferry for $1.
Tall Ships in Dana Point Harbor
Dana Point Harbor is brimming with shops and restaurants, and is also home to the Ocean Institute, an educational facility offering maritime-related tours and programs for all ages. The brig Pilgrim is a full-size replica of the sailing vessel captained in the mid-1880s by Richard Henry Dana Jr., for whom Dana Point was named. The Pilgrim serves as a "living history" classroom for thousands of students each year.
About the Author:
Karen Sprinkles has been a freelance writer since 1988. She's currently the managing editor of a luxury home magazine and has written for regional newspapers and magazines. Sprinkles received the Award of Excellence from the Hawaii Book Publishers Association for "The Hawaii Home Book," which reached No. 1 on the Hawaii bestsellers list. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California.
