Photos
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In this photo series, we explore one of SoCal's greatest assets--its beaches.
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Beach Galleries
California beaches: San Diego
San Diego County includes about 70 miles of coastline, from Oceanside in the north to Imperial Beach near the Mexican border.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California beaches: Cardiff / LaJolla
What's in a name? Tiny Cardiff was named by J. Frank Cullen, who developed the town in 1911, for his wife's homeland, Wales.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California beaches: San Clemente
Dangling on the southernmost tip of Orange County is San Clemente, the affable beach town nicknamed "the Spanish Village by the Sea."
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California beaches: Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach claims "30 coves and beaches packed within 9.1 square miles," according to www.lagunabeachinfo.org. The nexus of beautiful coastline and summer art festivals has given this community its character.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California beaches: Huntington Beach
If you want to learn what waves mean to surfers, go no farther than Huntington Beach, which proudly claims the title Surf City. Here, the water isn't just a recreational pastime -- it's a lifestyle.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California Beaches: Corona Del Mar-Newport Beach
Corona del Mar State Beach at Iris Street and Ocean Boulevard is a half-mile stretch that's good for swimming and surfing.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California Beaches: Palos Verdes Peninsula
The Palos Verdes Peninsula is about 23 miles south of downtown L.A. and includes four cities: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes. The beaches, stretches of sand and rocky coast -- some of it difficult to access -- have avid local fans of all ages.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California Beaches: Santa Monica
A side from all the attractions on the Santa Monica Pier and Muscle Beach, there's always the sand--and the sun.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California Beaches: Malibu
Malibu, that glamorous of all beach cities whose name resonates around the globe. With a population of less than 13,000, it's not how many people live there, but who lives there that also makes this a paparazzi paradise.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California Beaches: Ventura
A glimpse of Ventura's Surfer's Point, known for the waves and off-limits to swimmers.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
California Beaches: Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara's 2.5 miles of coastline attract about 10.6 million visitors a year, which is why the city makes no bones about comparing itself to France's Cote d'Azur or Italy's Amalfi Coast in claiming the title American Riviera.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
2008 U.S. Open of Surfing men's final
Nathaniel Curran beats Tim Boal in a two-man final at the Huntington Beach pier
San Onofre State Beach nudity crackdown
After decades of looking the other way, officials are set to crack down on a clothing-optional stretch of sand where people soak up the sun without fear of tan lines.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
'Blessing of the waves'
Catholics, Jews and Muslims gather at the Huntington Beach Pier to offer brief prayers. After a bowl of holy water is poured into the ocean, some grab their boards and hit the waves.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times