Spotlight on the South Coast Region in Time for Summer

Just in time for summer vacation. Discover what the locals enjoy. What’s it like to live here?

Life doesn’t get any better than in the famous beach towns and resort neighborhoods – Malibu, Santa Monica, along the South Bay boardwalk. Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Coronado.

 

Highlights and Headlines: Spring 2018

South Coast Region

San Diego

Celebrate Spring With These 5 Outdoor Happy Hours

“To kick off spring the proper way, we’ve rounded up a few spots that would make William Willett (to whom we owe this clock-changing tradition) proud. When you’ve sampled all of these, you can start working through our exhaustive guide to San Diego’s very best happy hours, for any time of year.” sandiegomagazine.com/ The outdoor digs at Topside. CHASE SCHEINBAUM | Photo: Justin McChesney-Wachs

40 top things to do in San Diego

San Diego attractions and locations

You will never run out of fun things to do in San Diego, there’s always a fun event, concert or activity and with so many San Diego attractions it’s really hard to choose. So just to get you started if you’re visiting San Diego soon, check out these 40 top things to do in San Diego and you just might enjoy doing some of these activities and places to visit in the city.” http://travelphotodiscovery.com/ by Noel.

North County, San Diego

Sand replenishment begins at Cardiff State Beach.

“Sand replenishment began Tuesday at Cardiff State Beach as part of the San Elijo Lagoon restoration project.Improved water quality, greater wildlife diversity, more public recreational trails and a greater resilience to environmental change are among the long-term goals of the restoration, which has been planned for decades.” Phil Diehl. sandiegouniontribune.com/ (Union-Tribune file photo by Eduardo Contreras)”

If Trump Wants to Drill for Oil in San Diego Waters, He’ll Have to Get Through His Navy

The Trump administration has proposed opening California’s coast to oil drilling. An oil basin near Oceanside could be particularly valuable, but the military says drilling there would disrupt its operations. California politicians and environmentalists have long worried about oil spills — because they’ve seen them before. A 1969 spill in Santa Barbara blackened dozens of miles of coastline, killed thousands of birds and devastated local tourism and fishing. But the armed forces have worries of their own. Offshore drilling could flummox training and operations and, in turn, endanger national security.” voiceofsandiego.org Ry Rivard Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Orange County Beach Towns

South Orange County

Dana Point. Doheny Blues Festival is returning with a new lineup and a new location

“Singer and songwriter Beth Hart will perform at the 21st annual Doheny Blues Festival on May 20 at Sea Terrace Community Park in Dana Point. Founded in 1998, the festival has played host in years past to blues legends Bo Diddley, B.B. King and John Lee Hooker and rock pioneers Chuck Berry and Little Richard. The festival was forced to move this year after the California parks department notified organizers in November that they’d have to find a new venue after two decades at Doheny State Beach.” http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot BRADY MACDONALD (Photo by Studio-E Elena Garm)

Dana Point. Rhythm and Resin: The Waves, and the Beat, Roll on for Danny and Damian Brawner

“Since 1952, Dana Point’s Danny Brawner has been crafting and fine-tuning Southern California culture through his craftsmanship and his music in ways the masses often don’t take time to appreciate. Locals may have to read the back of an album carefully, or ask a local shaper who did the all-important, life-sustaining glasswork on that new surfboard. It may not even be recorded in some cases, but a little research will quickly reveal the Brawner name is deeply woven into the fabric of South Orange County culture.” http://www.sanclementetimes.com/ Daniel Ritz, By Staff

San Onofre’s Nuclear Waste Storage Tanks Already Breaking

“For now though, the waste is still headed to San Onofre, busted bolts and all. All 3.6 million pounds of it. Just a few months into Southern California Edison’s very controversial plan to relocate spent nuclear fuel to holding tanks on the beach at San Onofre, crews are finding the holding tanks aren’t working properly. “We warned them that this was going to happen, and nobody listened to us,” Donna Gilmore of SanOnofreSafety.org told the LA Times. “Now they are trying to tell us: ‘Everything is OK. Don’t worry.’ This is insane. Edison has proven they can’t keep us safe.” www.surfer.com/ JUSTIN HOUSMAN Photo: Ellis

Laguna Beach

A short biography of Tom Morey

“Morey is related to the founders of the Detroit-based Dodge Brothers automobile company. The Morey’s moved to Laguna, California, when Tom was eight. There, he learned to bodysurf on his father’s back. Tom, who loved music almost as much as the ocean, called his invention the Morey Boogie after the boogie blues tempo. Boogie was a type of jazz music that was popular before World War II. As Tom put it: “Boogie swung, and it had a wiggle and a jiggle to it… it was perfect.” www.surfertoday.com Seamus McGoldrick Morey Archive

Laguna Beach. Women’s Surf Team Wins State Championship

“Laguna Beach High School’s women’s shortboard team won the crown as team champion at the Scholastic Surf Series high school state championship. MVP went to freshman Tess Booth, who besides competing in shortboard, also competed in one longboard heat as well.” www.lagunabeachindy.com By : Guest Contributor MVP Tess Booth in action.

Balboa, Newport and CDM

Newport Beach. Newport Harbor ‘is not a port’: Coastal Commission votes to oppose city’s goal of a port master plan

“The California Coastal Commission voted 9-3 on Thursday to oppose legislation necessary to amend the California Coastal Act to establish Newport Harbor, pictured, as a port. The commission voted 9-3, with members Erik Howell, Ryan Sundberg and Roberto Uranga dissenting, to oppose Assembly Bill 1196, which would amend the California Coastal Act to establish Newport Beach as a port — a status it needs before it can seek a port master plan. It would join Los Angeles, Long Beach, Hueneme and San Diego, all deepwater industrial ports.” http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot · By Hillary Davis (File Photo)

Newport Beach. New Film ‘Surfing To Cope’ Details Brianna Cope’s Surfing Through Adversity

“Cope’s trials and tribulations as a blossoming surf star on the world stage is documented in the short film entitled “Surfing To Cope,” which premieres Monday evening at the Newport Beach Film Festival. And she has done all that while dealing with a birth defect. Brianna’s left hand is under-developed, and to cope with everything that comes along with that Cope found the ocean as a great equalizer early on in her life. She has dedicated everything since to the ocean and accomplishing her goals. “The ocean is the one place I wasn’t self-conscience,” Cope told ASN. “I feel so happy and free when I’m surfing. There is no judgement or imperfections, it’s all about the ocean and its beauty.” www.adventuresportsnetwork.com/ Ryan Brower

Newport Beach Film Festival

“The Newport Beach Film Festival seeks to bring to Orange County the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking from around the world. Committed to enlightening the public with a first-class international film program as well as providing a forum for cultural understanding and enriching educational opportunities, the Festival focuses on showcasing a diverse collection of both studio and independent films.” newportbeachfilmfest.com/events/

Surf City USA – Huntington Beach

Rethinking Localism in the Digital Age

“The other morning, I was surfing the north side of the pier in Huntington Beach. The waves were about waist high, the wind was cross shore, and I was not surfing well. After blowing my first wave of the day, I got inside my head with some negative thoughts, which often has a way of ruining my session. I’d clearly dropped in on him and surfed (almost) the entire wave blissfully unaware. Damn, I felt like a moron. I’ve surfed for 20 years and just like the rest of us, I’ll occasionally drop in on people by accident. Occasionally, they drop in on me. Sometimes I get a little mad inside when they do. But I try to practice kindness and have a positive outlook. This guy I’d just dropped in on did a great job of the latter. I paddled back out and apologized. “No worries, brother,” he said. “I was trying to synchronize with your turns.” He laughed and paddled off. I laughed.” www.theinertia.com Simon Short Instagram

Huntington Beach. FIVB Huntington Beach Open: Humana-Paredes, Pavan outlast April Ross, Alix Klineman

“The best match of the Huntington Beach Open was Friday’s championship bracket showdown between two-time Olympic medalist April Ross and new partner Alix Klineman and a Canadian pair that’s ranked second in the world. Ross, considered by many to be the best individual player in the sport, is as rambunctious as ever. She split with Kerri Walsh Jennings after winning a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics and spent late last season mulling a decision on a partner for a run at the 2020 Olympics.” BOB KEISSER | www.pe.com/ (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Naples to Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Long Beach. If CSULB’s Prospector Pete had a true story, this would be it

“Prospector Pete was civil, even loving, to everyone, respecting the Golden Rule as much as the Gold Rush. He made his wealth quickly and easily and shared it with the vaunted Swiss generosity, building schools for Mexican, Chinese and indigenous boys and girls.” www.presstelegram.com TIM GROBATY (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova, Press-Telegram /SCNG)

Long Beach. Modica’s

“We are located on the ground floor of the Historic Cooper Arms building in downtown Long Beach, California. At modica’s, every dish is created using only the finest and freshest ingredients. We have created a marinara sauce to die for! With your choice of pasta you get delicious baked bread that is made daily and a fresh mesclun salad topped with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.” http://www.visitlongbeach.com

South Bay

Malibu. This Gorgeous Malibu Beach House Is Your Dream Summer Retreat

“Immerse yourself in the epitome of beachfront luxury at this sprawling modern villa situated on the golden sands of Broad Beach in Malibu, California. Planning a California getaway that you never want to forget? Where you choose to stay plays an important role in your vacation memories. This stunning beach house in Malibu is the ideal luxury rental if you’re traveling with a group. A family reunion or friends trip, perhaps? The property is available to book on TripAdvisor.” www.tripadvisor.com

Malibu. A Taste of SoCal’s Finest Lifestyle Awaits at This $75,000-Per-Month Malibu Estate

“With the ocean in your backyard, this dreamy home is the perfect beachfront escape. With summer right around the corner, it’s time to figure out where to go on vacation this year. And while road trips to national parks have an undeniable allure, it’s equally tempting to stay put all summer long. Designed as the ultimate oceanfront escape, 24683 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Calif., can be rented for $75,000 a month—which means you can unpack your swim trunks and enjoy the blissful beachfront abode for as long as your heart desires.” http://robbreport.com/ Juliana Distefano

Ventura County

Ventura. Shopping in Ventura CA | Malls, Outlets & Boutiques

“Ventura offers eclectic, locally owned shops where you can find items you won’t see anywhere else. A variety of these shops lines the streets of Ventura, featuring clothing boutiques, antique stores, home and garden shops, art galleries, gift stores and other specialty shops. Starting in downtown Ventura, just steps away from the beachfront promenade, a walk through Main Street is like no other. Right away, countless storefronts will grab your attention.” visitventuraca.com

Ventura. What $900,000 buys in three Ventura County neighborhoods. There’s even a beach house.

“Here’s a look at what about $900,000 buys in the Ventura County cities of Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura.VENTURA: This two-bedroom cottage, built in the 1950s and since updated, is a stone’s throw from San Buenaventura State Beach.” http://www.latimes.com Neal J. Leitereg (Realtor.com)

Islands along the Pacific Coast

Channel Islands: California’s Majestic National Park You Didn’t Know About

“Remote yet accessible, this archipelago stretches north along the coast from LA, and the Channel Islands National Park comprises the five northernmost islands. Just hours from the city, the National Park sees less than 20,000 overnight campers a year and is the perfect spot to escape the crowds, especially mid-week.The closest islands are visible from the coast, but a deep channel separates them from the mainland. This allowed wildlife to develop in isolation until humans arrived and there are 145 endemic or unique species in the archipelago including the diminutive island fox.”  https://awol.junkee.com Alexis Buxton-Collins Image: Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands. Bald eagle chicks hatch on California’s Channel Islands

“Channel Islands National Park says the two chicks hatched 14 hours apart on Santa Cruz Island, and a third egg chick was expected Friday. The hatchings are a sign of progress in restoration of the species to the island chain where the birds disappeared in the 1960s due to the effects of DDT and other human activities.” https://www.sfgate.com

What You Missed in September

So, shh.  Don’t tell them I told you. Here’s what you missed along the South Coast Region.  They’re in no hurry to encourage you to return to their local playgrounds.

From Point Loma in San Diego to Carlsbad in North County
Here’s a handful of beaches that don’t get the credit — or the crowds — that they deserve.

While you’re busy with back-to-school schedules and work routines, locals celebrate open parking spots on narrow beach streets.  They celebrate bright gorgeous sunsets which illuminate Catalina Island on a darkening horizon.

So, shh.  Don’t tell them I told you about what you missed along the South Coast Region They’re in no hurry to encourage you to return to their local playgrounds.

Top Ten After Labor Day Stories

1. Part seven of our Seattle to San Diego excursion sets off from Santa Monica and makes a lazy path along some of Southern California’s most memorable stops before ending up in idyllic Laguna Beach. From the historic grandeur of the Queen Mary to surf-loving stretches of Huntington Beach, from Newport Beach’s seafood palaces to the alluring cottages of Crystal Cove, it’s a sunlit sojourn. Coastal Living.

From San Diego to Ventura Beach Towns

2.  “The gray whale, who was between 15 to 18 feet long, was spotted in Dana Point Harbor. It swam into a shallow children’s area called Baby Beach and circled a pier.” Daily Mail.

This aerial photo provided by DolphinSafari.com
  1.  “Luckily for San Diegans, with a little effort, you can almost always find a mellow surf spot that isn’t overrun with 12-year-old surfing prodigies and semi-professionals without day jobs. Here’s a handful of beaches that don’t get the credit — or the crowds — that they deserve. Thrillist.
From Point Loma in San Diego to Carlsbad in North County
  • Carlsbad– Terramar
  • South Carlsbad – Ponto
  • Cardiff-by-the-Sea – George’s
  • Del Mar – 8th Street
  • North Pacific Beach – Tourmaline (Old Man’s)
  • Ocean Beach – Pescadero (aka Pesky)
  • Point Loma – Garbage, Sunset Cliffs

4.  Hundreds of local surfers and ocean lovers made a symbolic pollution awareness statement when they fought through choppy waves like warriors and paddled all the way around the Ocean Beach Pier. San Diego Union Tribune

Pollution Awareness in Ocean Beach.

5.  “The Lido Bridge is a popular place for kids to jump into the water in Newport Beach and authorities are trying to make the danger apparent to the public. Los Angeles Times (File Photo)”

Look Before You Don’t Leap in Lido.

6.  “U.S. News recently published an article on the “Top 6 Experiences in Southern California” and we are proud to say that each (and more!) is found in Ventura, a laid-back beach town. Ventura has fantastic weather year-round, earning it descriptions like “the land of eternal spring.” Whether you want to surf, paddle-board, kayak, jet ski, catch a professional surfing tournament or take a surf lesson from a professional surfer, we have it all.” Visit Ventura

Visit Ventura

7. An Airstream perched above Malibu, California is available for rent starting at $500 per night. All photos via Airbnb. Curbed.

Malibu Dreaming

8. Newport Beach. “The Balboa Peninsula institution, which opened in 1977, played a slideshow of pictures from the 1980s through the 2000s. Many guests were couples who met at the bar.” Daily Pilot.

50 Years at Malarky’s

9.“The yacht Stimulus is docked on Balboa Island. A man who stole it in 2014 was arrest on suspicion of trying to steal it again on Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Newport Beach. (Photo by Sam Gangwer, Orange County Register/SCNG)”

(Courtesy of Craig Brewer)

10.Newport Beach. The program would last 1 to 2 years. The buoys are equipped with software that detects sharks larger than six feet and beams a signal to lifeguards so they can investigate or close a beach when one is spotted.

Beware. Beach Closings.

The software can tell the difference between a shark, seal, and dolphin, says Aussie surfer Ian Cairns, who lives in Orange County and is a representative for the company.  “You have a virtual barrier that simply enables sharks to be detected and within seconds the lifeguards are notified about an incursion,” he says.