Beaches Of The Los Angeles Area

While the Los Angeles area is famous for a number of attractions, some of the most overlooked places to visit in the region are the sites that first attracted people to Southern California, the beaches. Southern California is known for its long sandy beaches, extremely hospitible weather and of course the people that head outdoors to enjoy both of those. The commercial development in the Los Angeles area keeps coming up with new attractions to compete with the natural attractions of the great outdoors. Despite this, the beaches of the Los Angeles area are still deserving of their place as a popular destination for both locals and visitors from outside the region. There are a number of beaches in the area to choose from, here are some of the more popular ones.

Dockweiler Beach

One of the more unique beaches in the Los Angeles area, Dockweiler Beach is a state beach and falls under the protection of the state park system. Dockweiler Beach is located near Los Angeles International Airport and borders against El Segundo. The beach has wonderful swimming areas and is popular with both locals and those from outside the region. The most unique feature of Dockweiler Beach is that it one of the very few beaches in the Los Angeles area that allows both bonfires and campfires. This makes it a fabulous location for picnicking and outdoor barbecues.

El Matador Beach

El Matador Beach is one of the hidden treasures in the Los Angeles area, as hidden as any coastal attraction can be in Southern California. One of the few beaches in the area with sea caves and large rock formations to explore, El Matador Beach is also a popular destination for photographers. It is known as one of the more uniquely beautiful beaches in the area and is very popular with residents of the area. The beach is located at the base of a cliff, so it is a little bit of a climb down to the sand. The fact that it is a little harder to access does make for it being a little less crowded. As opposed to most beaches in the Los Angeles area, there are no surrounding businesses or restaurants, so visitors should remember to pack their own meals and refreshments if planning an extended stay. El Matador Beach has earned a reputation as a popular destination for both body boarders and body surfers.

Manhattan Beach

The beaches in the Manhattan Beach area are known for their long sandy stretches and for the fact that they can be accessed from a large number of points. The Manhattan Beach Pier is a popular location for sightseers to come and view the local scenery. The beach is popular with locals and is a great place for playing in the surf and relaxing on the sand. Manhattan Beach is widely known as one of the better surfing areas in the region.

Paradise Cove

Located in Malibu, Paradise Cove is familiar looking to many fans of both television and movies. Many of the 1960s beach movies were filmed at Paradise Cove and even to this day it continues to be a popular filming location. Paradise Cove is a private beach and there is a charge to park at and access the beach area. There is a restaurant and a pier located on the beach and it is not uncommon to find a wide variety of celebrities in the area from time to time. The beach and the surrounding area are beautiful and are popular with photographers and sightseers alike.

Redondo Beach

Visitors to Redondo Beach can enjoy walking along The Strand, a paved path that leads walkers and bikers along the entire length of the beach area, and viewing beautiful scenery and interesting people. One of the highlights of the area is the Municipal Pier, sometimes called the Redondo Beach Pier, which is home to a number of eating establishments and shops. Fans of the Fox Television series "The O.C." will recognize the Redondo Beach Pier as it was one of the main filming locations. Surfing is popular in the Redondo Beach area and has played a large role in the history of the beach.

Santa Monica Beach

The city of Santa Monica operates Santa Monica Beach which is another of the state beaches protected by the state of California. There are a number of activities that can be participated in by locals and visitors alike including volleyball, basketball, running, walking, biking, beach workouts, and a chess playing area. The two mile long beach has a number of areas that are great for picnicking and play in the sand. There are also a good selection of shops and eating establishments in the vicinity of the beach that cater to those that frequent the area.

Venice Beach

Possibly the most famous beach in the Los Angeles area, Venice Beach is almost known more for the street performers, street vendors and other attractions than it is for the actual beach that resides there. Muscle Beach is an area of Venice Beach that has been home to famous bodybuilders and exercise enthusiasts alike. While it is known as a great place for surfing, swimming and sunbathing, Venice Beach is also known as possibly the best people watching location in all of Southern California.

Zuma Beach

Another of California's protected state beaches, Zuma Beach has a well earned reputation as one of the cleanest beaches in the Los Angeles area. The beach is located in Malibu and is very popular with local beach goers. Zuma Beach is also famous for the high quality of surfing that takes place there and there are some areas of water where swimming is discouraged due to strong rip currents. There are a number of activities other than surfing that are popular at the beach as well including swimming, fishing, windsurfing, bodysurfing, diving, volleyball, walking, biking and more. Film enthusiasts will recognize Zuma Beach from the numerous television shows, movies and commercials that are filmed there.
Southern California is known for a number of attractions that draw in millions of visitors every year. Some of the most popular features in the area though are the numerous beaches and beachside attractions that can be found in the region. While it is sometimes hard for the beaches in the Los Angeles area to compete with other tourist attractions like Hollywood and Beverly Hills related sites and of course the world famous amusement parks in the area, they should definitely not be overlooked by visitors looking for a great time during their Southern California vacation.

Manele Bay, Lanai Travel Tips

Manele Bay, situated at the southern part of Lanai in Hawaii, is a secluded harbour that attracts many tourists and travelers per year. Expedition ferries that transport tourists from Maui to Lanai and vice-versa dock at the harbour of Manele Bay, making the area a convenient stop-over for many travelers planning to explore the rest of Lanai. Whether you are planning to stay at Manele Bay for the rest of your vacation or to spend a few nights at this side Lanai before heading off to discover the rest of the bigger island, there are many things to do and sights to see in this secluded, southern harbour.
The best thing about Manele Bay is that it is a quiet, peaceful place for a vacation. While there are no nightclubs and posh restaurants, the place has a culture and a unique Aloha spirit not found anywhere else. Those who want to experience the finest amenities and sporting activities can head off to the famed Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay. However, Manele Bay is beyond luxury, as you can always explore the rest of the area without spending a fortune. Here are the things that you can do while staying at Manele Bay.
 

Sporting activities at Manele Bay, Lanai

Golf and tennis
If you love playing golf during your vacation, you can check in at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay and indulge in a game on the world’s best golf courses. The golf course at this luxury resort has a spectacular backdrop, fringed by palm trees, while each hole affords the player a full view of the distant Pacific Ocean. Rental clubs as well as golf instruction are available. During winter months, migrating whales can be sighted on the Pacific, a majestic sight from the resort’s well-manicured golf course.
Tennis lovers will also appreciate the top-notch tennis facilities at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay. Three outdoor courts are available for tennis enthusiasts at the resort, while tennis equipments and outfits are offered as well. For a fee, you can also take tennis lessons, which are available in private settings or in group courses.

Swimming
At Manele Bay you will find the Hulopoe Beach, famed all over the world for its spectacular fine white sand and clear, warm waters. Whether you are staying at the Four Seasons resort or renting your own Manele Bay condo, you can always enjoy swimming at the Hulopoe bay.
Snorkeling and scuba diving
Manele Bay is divided into two parts, which are the white Manele and the black Manele. The white Manele area is where Hulopoe beach is located. The rich marine life of Hulopoe beach makes it an ideal location for underwater excursions, including snorkeling and scuba diving. Here you will find rare tropical fish species, wondrous coral reef formations, and underwater caverns that bring the underwater scene of Hulopoe Beach to life. If you are checked in at the Four Seasons Resort, you may rent out snorkeling equipment, for a fee.
Hulopoe Bay is also a protected marine reserve, and with an abundance of coral reef formations and colorful marine life, this location is one of the best scuba diving spots in Lanai. Diving excursions are offered to both first-time and experienced divers, and diving gear are available for rent as well.
Surfing and body boarding
Hawaii is known as the surfing Mecca of the world and here at Manele Bay, visitors can take pleasure from exhilarating surfboarding and body boarding activities. Surfing lessons are offered at Manele Bay, where expert surfing instructors can teach you how to ride the waves in top form.
Fishing, sailing, and marine life search excursions
With the diverse marine life of Hulopoe Bay, it is not uncommon to witness spinner dolphins along its seashores, or migrating whales during the winter months. Witnessing the best of Hulopoe Bay marine life is made possible through marine life search excursions offered at the Four Seasons Resort. During idyllic weather, you can also go sailing over the placid waters of Hulopoe bay. Four Seasons Resort also offers organized deep-sea fishing activities, where you can catch some mahi mahi, yellow fin, or blue marlin.
Camping activities at Manele Bay, Lanai
Budget recreational activities are also available at Manele Bay, Lanai. If you want to enjoy the offerings of this isolated location in Lanai Island without busting your budget, why not engage in a beachside camping activity with your friends and family? Hulopoe Beach Park is a famous camping site at Manele Bay, where campers can rent a camping tent and stay at the beach park after securing the necessary permits.
Here you will be able to enjoy your own private paradise, away from the throng of tourists and beachgoers which crowd the resorts of the more populous Hawaiian Islands. Picnic sites are comfortably sheltered by trees and foliage, while barbeque sites are found scattered among the six camp sites of Hulopoe Beach Park. Comfortable facilities like restrooms and shower rooms can be found at the site, perfect for extended overnight stays or for a day spent swimming and exploring the underwater life of the harbour.
Hiking at Black Manele
Apart from white Manele, where the Hulopoe Beach is found, black Manele is one part that comprises the bigger Manele Bay. The best sights to discover at black Manele are the Pali Lei no Hauni sea cliffs. Although these cliffs provide fortification against strong winds and powerful currents, they also offer anyone a stunning vista of the Pacific Ocean. You can head to New Manele Road to view these amazing sea cliffs, where there are also picnic areas to be found, for longer and more comfortable sightseeing trips.

Explore the rest of Lanai Island

When you’re in Manele Bay, you can also take the chance to explore the rest of beautiful Lanai Island. Lanai is an irresistible combination of stunning coastlines and verdant mountain forests, giving you a vacation experience that is truly Hawaii. Tranquil, unspoiled, and enchanting Lanai offers a host of attractions to curious travelers.
The Lodge at Koele is one of the more famous resort accommodations on the island, along with the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay. The Lodge at Koele has world-class golf courses, state-of-the art fitness center with spa, tennis courts, and well-maintained stables. It also offers a total of 102 well-appointed rooms, including a suite accommodation. Mountain hunting activities are offered at the lodge, too.
Hotel Lanai on the other hand, is an intimate bed and breakfast with only eleven rooms offered to guests. If you want to experience the inland charms of Lanai, you may choose to be billeted at these hotels.
The Lanai Art Center is a haven for those who have a keen eye for art. Here you can view the amazing works of Lanai artists, which include paintings, photographs, sketches, and woodwork creations. Anyone interested in taking up art lessons are welcome here. Whether you intend to learn about traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts or pottery, private lessons can be had at the Lanai Art Center.
Lanai offers some of the best hiking trips, such as the Koloiki Ridge Hike. A 5-mile hike that allows you to enjoy the scenic beauty of the island in seclusion, you will be afforded with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, as well as the nearer islands of Maui and Molokai. You can also shop for souvenir items at Lanai City, where souvenir boutiques are found in the area. Stylish island wear and unique gift items are just some of the merchandises you can found in downtown Lanai.

U.S. Virgin Islands Travel Tips

The U.S. Virgin Islands is "America's Caribbean Paradise" -- the place to see moko jumbies dance at a Carnival parade, hear the lilting patois of a Creole dialect, or smell the spices in a saltfish pate (all without losing cell phone reception). You could visit either St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix, but better yet, spend a little time on all three islands. That way you'll get plenty of pampering, undisturbed nature and colonial history jammed into one vacation. And bonus: you can pay for everything with U.S. dollars.

Each island offers something different. Called "Rock City" for its hilly, craggy horizon, St. Thomas is better known for its luxury -- from the mega-yachts moored in the harbor to the Gucci, Nicole Miller and Tiffany & Co. storefronts along Main Street. Located a short ferry-ride east, St. John intoxicates honeymooners and nature lovers with more than 7,000 acres of dedicated parkland plus its pristine beaches. Way down south in the Caribbean Sea, less-visited St. Croix has sugar cane plantations and rum distilleries that offer a glimpse into both the past and the present of the Virgin Islands.

Keep in Mind...

• You're on island time People working in hospitality might move slower than you're accustomed. You will be waited on quicker if you say "Good morning," "Good afternoon" and "Good night" when you enter or exit a room.
• You're in the island sun Take it easy your first day on the islands to avoid heat stroke. And always apply sunscreen before venturing out.
• You'll see island critters Lizards and medium-sized iguanas roam freely outdoors.

How To Save Money in U.S. Virgin Islands

• Book early It is possible to secure a good deal at one of the VI's four-star hotels in the peak season, but you should start looking for a room up to a year in advance. 
• Visit in spring April and May hotel rates are as low as $120 a night, plus you'll get your Caribbean vacation in before the sticky, wet summer. 
• Take an Eastern Caribbean cruise St. Thomas is the busiest port in the Caribbean, and the top cruises generally dock for up to eight hours. That'll give you time to explore Rock City or even take a ferry to St. John.

U.S. Virgin Islands Culture & Customs

Similar to the residents of other Caribbean islands, Virgin Islanders dress casually but conservatively. Wearing a bathing suit -- or even sandals -- anywhere besides the beach marks you as a tourist.
According to most sites, tipping etiquette is the same in the V.I. as in other parts of the United States; 15 to 20 percent is considered the standard, but more is appreciated for exceptional service.

U.S. Virgin Islands Dining

The U.S. Virgin Islands offer an assortment of restaurant options that range from hoity-toity white tablecloth establishments to affordable diners and fast food joints. Recent vacationers particularly enjoyed Frenchtown or Red Hook restaurants in St. Thomas, and also praised the eateries by Cruz Bay on St. John. However, there are also a handful of good options on St. Croix's West End.
Most restaurants in those areas will give you the coddling tourist experience, but you might also find the opportunity to try something more authentic. Look for menu options like pate (ground beef, chicken or salted cod wrapped and deep-fried in dough), johnnycake (deep-fried dough), fungi (corn meal) or peas and rice (kidney beans or lentils with brown rice) to eat like a Virgin Islander.

Virginia Beach (USA) Travel Tips

One-third affordable party spot for local college kids, one-third haven for families with small kids and one-third renaissance beach town, Virginia Beach is a coastal city making an attempt to lure beachcombers up from their usual Ocean City, Outer Banks and Myrtle Beach haunts to its own revitalized stretch of East Coast sand and boardwalk. And it's not doing too shabby either. Like those other towns, "VA Beach" offers scenic coastal views, enough sand and sun to keep the kids entertained and enough affordable nighttime diversion to keep unpretentious adults happy. Sure, the hotels, restaurants or attractions aren't super-luxe, but the point is that here, no one needs them to be. Come see for yourself, Virginia Beach is for those who want a relaxing good time without any hassle.

Keep in Mind...

• Keep safe at the beach Swim near a lifeguard and avoid rip currents, which are recognizable by particularly foamy and choppy waters. If the conditions are especially dangerous, lifeguards will raise a red flag to keep people out of the water.
• Keep your cover-up handy Virginia Beach is a casual beach destination, but not that casual. You should still cover up when you step off the sand.
• Keep it family-friendly You'll find lots of signs warning against cursing and an abundance of law enforcement patrolling the streets and boardwalk. So be on your best behavior, Virginia Beach is serious about preserving their PG image.

How To Save Money in Virginia Beach

• Don't shop on the beach Souvenir stores are plentiful along the boardwalk, but you'll find the same trinkets in town for cheaper prices.
• Visit in the early spring The shoulder season in between April and Memorial Day is a great time to visit Virginia Beach for cheap and still enjoy the waterfront.
• Go as a group Beach house rentals and grocery shopping split among a large group means more money for you.

Virginia Beach Culture & Customs

There's plenty of parking enforcement here, so be sure to keep a close eye on your parking meter. And recent visitors say that police officiers patrolling the streets are a regular effort to keep the city a family-friendly getaway.
Last, don't be alarmed if you see or hear large aircrafts fly by. The Naval Air Station Oceana is located nearby; its planes can sometimes be loud and distracting.

Virginia Beach Dining

As a coastal city, seafood is the overwhelming theme of the food scene here, and experts say seafood buffets are scattered throughout. Virginia Beach has a lot of chain restaurants, but discerning stomachs can also find more elegant and diverse establishments, like the Shogun Japanese Steakhouse & Seafood restaurant, inland off the Norfolk Virginia Beach Expressway. The boardwalk has your typical spread of restaurants, including burger joints and pizzerias.

Enjoyable Beach Vacation (Best Tips)

This year, don't think of your family beach vacation as just a time to swim. That sun-drenched stretch of sand is a giant playground where your children can learn about nature, play games, and do craft projects that will let them bring home mementos of your fun-filled days together. No expensive equipment is needed to embark on these ten activities. They're nice and simple. So put on your bathing suit, make sure you're all wearing plenty of sunscreen, and get set to have a fun day in the sun.
Rosemary Black, food editor at the New York Daily News and mother of six children, lives in Pleasantville, NY.

1. Photograph Beach Treasures

Give each child his own disposable camera for the day and let him take pictures of whatever he wants. The caveat: only one camera per youngster. Kids will learn patience by waiting for good photo moments. Explain that it's important not to let sand get into the camera and that it should be kept in a plastic bag in your tote when not in use. Later, develop the pictures and encourage your photographers to arrange their best shots in a special photo album or scrapbook. This is a great way to preserve happy memories!

2. Construct A Sun Shade

This is an easy way to teach about the sun's trajectory. You need four long, pointed sticks or bamboo poles from a home-and-garden center, large rubber bands, markers, and a sheet. Before heading out, let your kids decorate the sheet with colorful designs. At the beach, measure off an area a few inches shorter on all sides than the sheet. Drive the sticks into the sand where you have marked off the corners. Knot a corner of the sheet around each pole and secure the knots with rubber bands.
Once your sun shade is in place, youngsters can learn about shadows during the course of a day, says Tom Peters, director of a resource center for science and mathematics teachers at Clemson University. "Follow the sun's shadow during the day, and you'll see that it changes its angle," he says. "The shadow is longer in the morning and shortest at noontime." Each child can pick one pole and mark off the change in shadows every 15 minutes with shells, making a graph of the path of the sun.

3. Explore A Tidal Pool

Just after high tide, when the water recedes and pools up at the ocean's edge, is the best time for this educational observation. Look for small sea life like starfish, snails, and other mollusks. Think of tidal pools as minicommunities filled with living creatures that should be treated with respect. Ask your child what he sees, what different roles these organisms might play in that little community, and how he thinks they manage to stay put when the tide goes out. Starfish, for instance, have rows of small, suckerlike projections and attach themselves to rocks. You may want to find a library book on the subject and read it together.

4. Design A "Zen" Sandbox

Take a sturdy box (even a shoebox works well) to the beach with you. Fill it with clean sand, spread out evenly. Kids can collect shells and stones and use them to make a garden. They can design different groupings by maybe arranging pretty shells in one section of the box, colorful stones in another, and so forth. It's relaxing to look at and doesn't need to be watered!

5. Decorate A Kite

You'll need: wooden dowels (one-quarter inch or less in diameter), found at hardware and art-supply stores; a large brown paper shopping bag, cut open and flattened, or colored paper; markers or stamps and an ink pad; a stapler; crepe paper; and string. Make two lengths of dowel, one longer than the other, by scoring them with a knife and then breaking them on the cut line. The lengths depend on how big a kite you want: we suggest dowels of 36 and 18 inches. To form a cross, cut a groove in one dowel where the two overlap. Lay the other dowel in the groove; secure with a metal twist-tie (the kind that come with some garbage bags). Lay the cross on top of the paper. Mark off a diamond shape by drawing lines connecting the ends of the dowels; then add about one inch all around. Cut out the shape. Place the cross on the paper and fold the edges over about one inch; staple the edges. Staple the paper to the dowels. Let your child decorate the kite. Cut strips of crepe paper and staple to the kite for a tail. Tie string securely where the dowels cross and have a contest for the highest flying kite or the one that stays up the longest.

6. Create A Shell Necklace

You'll need smallish shells and colorful dental floss. Look for shells that have a tiny hole at one end so that you won't have to drill holes in them. Let kids string the shells onto a length of floss, tying a knot through the hole on each one to secure it in place. Tie the ends together. Want to get fancy? Kids can paint the shells before stringing them. Or if you have colorful, mini-pom-poms or large beads on hand, encourage your budding jewelry designer to alternate them with the shells.

7. Make A Tape Recording Of The Waves

The best time for this is when the waves are noisy, so go before a storm or during high tide. Have your child stand close to, but still a safe distance from, the water's edge. Put the tape in the recorder, press "record," and have her hold the mike directly in front of her. She might want to sing along for part of the tape. Play her masterpiece at night and don't be surprised when the relaxing, rhythmic sounds help her fall right to sleep!

8. Play Tic-Tac-Toe In "Wave Time"

You need two sticks and a level stretch of wet sand where, say, every tenth wave washes over it. Step one: Draw a giant tic-tac-toe board in the sand by making two vertical lines crossed by two horizontal lines. Step two: One player draws "X's," the other "O's." Take turns making the letters on the board  -- the first person to get three X's or O's in a line (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally) wins. Time is of the essence. You must finish the game before it gets washed away by the next wave!

9. Craft A Driftwood Boat

Find some of your materials at the beach: driftwood, flat stones, reeds, and sticks. Bring other supplies: string or wire and a plastic bag. First, sandwich a stone (the keel) between two long pieces of wood (the hull). It should be in the center and protrude downward. Sandwich a smaller stone (the rudder) an inch from one end of the hull. Place a large stick (the mast) between the two stones, sticking upward. Tie all of this together tightly with string. To balance the boat, tie one end of another large stick to the hull at the base of the mast at a 90 degree angle. At the other end of this stick, tie a piece of wood parallel to the hull. Punch holes in a plastic bag and weave a thin stick through the holes. Tie the top and bottom of the sail to the mast and the top of the mast to each end of the hull. Now your boat is ready to sail.

10. Have A Scavenger Hunt

Give each child a bucket with a camera like the Polaroid I-Zone or the OneStep Express and a list of things to find. Include items that can be placed in the bucket, like sea glass, shells, and stones. But for a twist, add some things the kids can't take with them  -- a red beach umbrella or two girls in blue bathing suits. The scavengers use the camera to take pictures of these items to complete the list. The first one to collect all the elements and arrive back at home base (your beach blanket!) wins. Have the older kids "buddy up" with younger ones; little players should have parents accompany them on their search.

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