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Three Great Things for the Beach

 

It's slowly turning into fabulous beach weather. Within another month, crowds of beach lovers will flock to their favorite ocean side paradises. So, for the beach lover at heart, here are three things you should bring with you to the beach to make your visit more enjoyable.

Big Hat -- for the sun sensitives, bring plenty of sunscreen and protect your face with a great beach hat with a wide brim. Not only does a great hat protect your face from the harsh ultra-violet rays of the sun, but also it makes great shading on a book if you chose to bring one. 

Bottled Water -- do not forget to bring bottled water. Some beaches do not have drinking fountains nearby, and you will want to stay well hydrated in that harsh summer sun. You also don't want to have to walk way back to find a drinking fountain, so don't forget the bottled water. 

Flip-Flops -- hot sand in warm weather burns feet. Flip-flops are much easier to manage than sandals that often have buckles. You can also get plastic flip-flops, which makes it easier to rinse sand off them. Try this: put your flip-flops on the ground and rinse your feet off and then easily slip them back on your clean foot. Works every time!

 

Pebble Beach

Did you know one of the best times to visit the beach is in early spring? Why? Because once it heats up warm air pulls fog inland. Now is the time to visit the beach and enjoy the crystal-clear weather. One beach that you should visit is Pebble Beach perched on the Monterey peninsula. The beach's rugged cliff line provides a fantastic view to see some amazing sea life, including seals that sunbathe out on the rocks, a plethora of seagulls and other birds, and whale watch during the migration season. This time of year it is cool and windy, so wear windbreakers and enjoy the tidal pools. Also, for golfers, you can enjoy the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links 18-hole, par 72 course and walk through the incredible scenery loaded with cypress trees. Take 17-Mile Drive down to the beach and enjoy the spectacular scenery and views. 

Bermuda -- A Colorful Island Escape

Most people associate Bermuda with the infamous Bermuda Triangle. Bermuda is so much more. It is a gorgeous island surrounded by an incredible coral reef that produces fantastic white sand beaches and the Caribbean aquamarine colors you would expect from the area. This coral reef also makes a great haven for scores of fish attracted to the numerous shipwrecks entombed in the waters below. Families and tourists are encouraged to visit the crystal-clear waters of Southhampton Parish where they can swim, snorkel, kayak, yacht or sunbathe. Don't forget to take a moment to stop over at the Town of St. George, Britain's oldest surviving town in the New World, where it invites leisurely strolls through its crooked streets and plenty of sightseeing. 

Huatulco, Mexico

Looking to stay close to the U.S. during spring break, but also travel internationally? Take your family (if you have older children) to world-famous Huatulco, Mexico located on the Pacific Coast in the state of Oaxaca. The area is known as a tourist development, and the industry is centered on nine bays where travelers will find numerous hotels, oceanfront villas and condos, inns and bed and breakfasts. The famous Dreams Resort and Spa is one of the most popular luxury resorts in the area. Huatulco is near the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains and about 500 km south of Acapulco. The area has a very Caribbean-like feel with palm tree-line beaches and turquois-blue bays to enjoy water recreation. The weather isn't too warm in springtime and provides the perfect escape for the entire family to enjoy some relaxing time together.

Best Place for a Picnic in San Francisco - Baker Beach

San Francisco isn't known for its beaches, but it does have a few in the area. Mile-long Baker Beach is among the most famous and makes a great place to enjoy a family picnic and fly a kite or two. When the sun comes out, the climate is tepid and cool. You can go down, bring some food, and some great beach toys and spend an enjoyable afternoon playing on the beach. In the summer months when it's not foggy, you can enjoy some sunbathing, too. The public picnic area has tables, grills and restroom facilities. Located near the foot of the rugged western shoreline of the Presidio, the view from the beach gives you a spectacular outlook on the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. Many quintessential movies and TV shows have filmed the Golden Gate Bridge from this viewpoint. 

Malibu, California

Most people (outside of California) associate "California Dreaming" with Malibu. All sorts of mythology has been built around the classic California beaches around Malibu. The beach movies of the '60s did nothing but continue the international love affair with the idea of "Malibu," and Hollywood continues to play up that mystique all of the time. The reality is that Malibu is part of 27 miles of scenic beauty in Southern California. It is, in fact, home to dozens of famous celebrities and does offer famous surfing fun at Zuma Beach. Here are some fun facts about the area and some will debunk some of the mythology. No, you cannot have a bonfire on any beach in Malibu, so any idea of wild beach parties with a raging fire to dance around, you will be cited. You can BBQ is some of the fire-designated spots on some of the state beaches. Alcohol is prohibited on all beaches in Malibu, and the city clearly lets its guest know there is zero tolerance, so don't plan that kind of party. Although the city will issue certain permits for parties with alcohol. Finally, nude sunbathing is not allowed -- and there is no permit for that one. Do plan to enjoy the quintessential California beach experience in Malibu outside of those restrictions.