Those who expect California to have the palm-dotted, serene waters of the tropics will be startled to find beaches with a harsh, violent beauty instead. The coast south of Santa Barbara more or less upholds the Hollywood image (prominent lifeguard stands and loads of Beautiful People in skimpy beachwear), but even here the water is rarely warm (about 65 degrees F). Along the Central Coast, beaches give way to the majestic cliffs of Big Sur. This sort of craggy topography continues all the way up the North Coast. Some of the best beaches require a hike down, usually of at least 100 ft. Look for trailheads, but use extreme caution, particularly when high tides force the waves all the way up against the rocks. Stay on marked trails and abide by signs that say, “Danger: people have been swept from this cliff and drowned.” They’re not kidding around. If you choose to brave the icy surf, be careful as the beaches up north have terrific undertows and riptides. Never go in water that is more than knee-deep. Summertime is when most people hit the sand, but don’t expect to catch rays on the Central Coast, which is at its foggiest and dampest then. The Beach Bible is the thorough California Coastal Access Guide ($18) published by University of California Press, which details the coastline beach by beach from Crescent City to San Diego. For a really thorough tan, check out Dave Patrick’s California’s Nude Beaches (Bold Type, Inc.; $16).
Nepon Auto – Winnipeg Canadian based auto industry information blog
