Magnificent trees, a comfy inn and plenty of adventure.
It’s the closest thing to the great trauma of being born. When a big swell hits the Wedge, already gigantic waves bounce off the jetty at the south end of Balboa Boulevard
Highlights and Headlines: March 2018
La Jolla Cove. Southern California isn’t exactly known for its snorkeling — the strong waves usually make it tough to see much of anything — but La Jolla Cove, just north of San Diego, is an exception. The area is ringed by tall cliffs that protect the cove from big waves, allowing curious snorkelers to explore its underwater scene. Be on the lookout for leopard sharks, sea lions and dolphins. By Allyson Reedy Shutterstock
North County
Del Mar | Hot Property – A Del Mar estate built for activist investor David Batchelder has sold for $21.5 million, making it the most expensive home sold in San Diego County in more than a decade. (Sam Chen)
South Orange County
Dana Point. “On the surfing front, anybody who rides waves around here should have a brief appreciation for just how San Onofre came to be one of the birthplaces of surf culture on the West Coast. It was first surfed in the early 1920s, although it’s still debated who the first person to surf at San Onofre was. Some say it was Laguna Beach’s George “Peanuts” Larson. Others contend it was Matt Brown and Lorrin “Whitey” Harrison. Given that was nearly 100 years ago, the mystery will probably never be solved conclusively, but it’s fun to banter about.” Dana Point Times Jake Howard
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach. “The five star Montage Laguna Beach resort receive a five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide for its hotel, restaurant and spa. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)”
Balboa, Newport and CDM
Balboa Peninsula. Asked what it’s like to bodysurf one of the most famous breaks on Earth, a regular once opined, “It’s the closest thing to the great trauma of being born.” When a big swell hits the Wedge, already gigantic waves bounce off the jetty at the south end of Balboa Boulevard; combining with the next wave, they create magnificent, malevolent monsters that can top 25 feet.
Surf City USA – Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach. Irvine and Huntington Beach Make Top Ten List of Happiest Cities in America. WalletHub released a survey of the happiest cities in America. Our own Irvine and Huntington Beach are in the top 10 happiest cities, coming in at No. 8 and 9, respectively. Orange Coast Magazine Alan Gibbons
Naples to Palos Verdes Peninsula
Long Beach. Calls for more research, education as great white shark population grows off California. “Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at CSU Long Beach, said the shark population is recovering at time when more and more people are swimming, surfing and paddle boarding along the coast.” (Photo: AP FILE PHOTO) Cheri Carlson vcstar.com
Redondo Beach. As you may infer from its name Redondo Beach features a mile and a half of sandy beachfront as you venture south of the marina and pier area. timeout.com
Ojai. Hotels & Resorts in Ojai California | Ojai Visitors Bureau | Things to Do in Ojai. Nestled in a scenic valley surrounded by citrus groves and natural beauty, Ojai is easy to explore while taking in the sights along the way. This is the perfect destination for family vacations in Southern California. Looking for a girlfriends getaway? Golf vacation? Romantic weekend? Solo getaway? Ojai has something for everyone. ojaivisitors.com
Islands along the Pacific Coast
Anacapa Island. “Anacapa is the closest island to the mainland, just 12 miles from the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. Most of Island Packers departures to East Anacapa Island are from our location in the Channel Islands Harbor. islandpackers.com
Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara. “Review: Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara. “The former Hotel Vista Mar Monte opened to grand fanfare in 1931. It is a California classic. There is not one hotel building but three…and they are not connected.” MATTHEW. liveandletsfly.com
San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo. “Welcome to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. For more than two centuries, Mission San Luis Obispo has greeted travelers, pilgrims and guests with open doors and a place to rest. At the crossroads of the Central California coast, the Mission lends heart and spirit to its vibrant surrounding community. We hope you will visit us. We are open year-round.” missionsanluisobispo.org
Monterey County
Monterey. Experience Monterey Bay at This Historic Hotel Overlooking the Surf. 30 percent off Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, a classic coastal gem perched over a magnificent bay. Don’t miss the rooftop spa and the seafood restaurant with ocean views. Courtesy of Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. travelandleisure.com
Santa Cruz County
Judge’s tentative ruling clears the way for potentially huge fines against Coastal Commissioners. Five former and current members of the California Coastal Commission face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for allegedly not properly disclosing private meetings with developers and others, under a 2016 lawsuit. Joshua Emerson Smith. sandiegouniontribune.com
Half Moon Bay. Sam’s Chowder House: Brings the Coastside to the Table. Sam’s Chowder House sits steps from the shore with front row views of the Pacific—close enough to spy migrating whales leap from the water—and exceptional seafood that’s gained a loyal following and a shout-out on the Today Show. Yet, the family-owned and operated restaurant offers more than great views and grub. www.visithalfmoonbay.org
Ocean Beach. Want to Fight Sea Level Rise? Look to San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The problem at Ocean Beach will only get worse, because the sea has nothing to do but rise in this era of rapid climate change. So will San Francisco spend the rest of its days shoveling sand in a quixotic battle against inevitability? Far from it—it’s all part of a plan to adapt to inevitability, which could set precedent for how this and other coastal cities fight rising seas. MATT SIMON SCIENCE wired.dom GETTY IMAGES
Marin. West Marin saloon nurturing a new live music scene. “As the modern world speeds along at breakneck speed, challenging us all to keep up, there are still outposts from old Marin that survive and even flourish. One of them is the Papermill Creek Saloon at 1 Castro St. in Forest Knolls, a 110-year-old watering hole in the heart of the forested San Geronimo Valley that proudly advertises itself as “the best historic dive bar in Marin.”” Paul Liberatore marinij.com
Sonoma Coast
Sonoma County. A Sonoma Wine Maker’s Locavore Favorites. A native of Sonoma County, Tom Gore Vineyards owner Tom Gore grew up farming and studied agriculture before launching his own wine brand. Felicia Feaster. Tim Gore Vineyards
Mendocino Coast
Mendocino. Bed and Breakfast Mendocino County. “For those who cherish the renewing power of California’s wild and beautiful North Coast, the AWARD-WINNING North Coast Country Inn Bed and Breakfast is a haven to be returned to again and again.” northcoastcountryinn.com
Humboldt County
Redwood National Park: Magnificent trees, a comfy inn and plenty of adventure. Drifting fog adds drama to Northern California’s coastline near Redwood National and State Parks. (Courtesy Marta Yamamoto) www.mercurynews.com
Del Norte County
See the Del Norte County Beaches. Del Norte County is the northernmost county in California and, like Humboldt County to the south, it has more wild remote beaches than urban beaches. Crescent City is the largest city in the county and it is located near the mid-point of the Del Norte Coast. californiabeaches.com
New offshore oil drilling proposed off California coast by Trump administration. The Trump administration on Thursday proposed allowing new offshore oil drilling in most of America’s coastal areas, including northern, southern and central California areas like Big Sur. By PAUL ROGERS | progers@bayareanewsgroup.com
Huntington Beach. ExxonMobil Alleges It Is Victim of Vast California Climate Change ‘Conspiracy’. Surfers ride waves in front of an oil rig off Huntington Beach on July 31, 2015. (Credit: Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images)
Laguna Beach. Uncertainty Clouds Hotel Laguna. The last guests of the historic Hotel Laguna turned in their room keys and its longtime operator turned over the property last week to the landlord, but much else about the iconic downtown property remains uncertain. Photo by Mitch Ridder.
Newport Beach. Newport’s iconic Crab Cooker to close and rebuild because of 3-year-old foundation damage. “The Crab Cooker, which has been at 2200 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach since 1951, will be closed for about a year starting in 2018 while it is rebuilt on the same site. (File Photo)”
San Diego. 10 San Diego Trails to Get You Outside in 2018. To a degree, you haven’t witnessed our city until you’ve seen all its nature’s beauty. From the highest point in county to the La Jolla Tide Pools and peeks at the Pacific from above your handlebars, there’s no shortage of ways to get outside in the New Year. Go on, now—take a hike! San Diego Magazine
Long Beach. Long Beach Airport to start daily service to Hawaii in June. The historic terminal at Long Beach Airport. Hawaiian Airlines will begin operating nonstop daily flights between Long Beach and Honolulu. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
South Bay. Redondo Beach. Seaside Lagoon. “This isn’t your typical swimming pool. Seaside Lagoon is a saltwater lagoon steps away from the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can swim under lifeguard supervision, and there’s also water slides, a playground, beach volleyball and picnic areas.” 
Ventura County. California Fire Map Update: Thomas Fire Is Second Largest in State History. As the blaze grows, it is on track to surpass the record-holding 2003 Cedar Fire, which killed 15 people and destroyed 273,246 acres in southern San Diego. The Thomas Fire earned the second-largest wildfire designation on Tuesday by surpassing the 2012 Rush Fire, which burned 271,911 acres. This California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo CA. The 10 Happiest Cities in the U.S., According to New Research. “Perhaps unsurprisingly, almost 30 percent of the places are in California. There’s really something to be said for near-constant sunshine. Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) is real, and has a dramatic impact on happiness levels for an entire season of the year. And when you’re sad almost every day, it’s hard to rate your life well, or feel natural joy.” Inc Magazine
Half Moon Bay. Weather changes push back Mavericks surf contest. Throughout the past week, there was excitement over a west-northwest swell that would bring the largest Mavericks surf of the season. That is now a matter of conjecture, and the once-promising weather forecasts have changed. 
San Francisco. Turning blue to ring in the new with frigid Jan. 1 Ocean Beach plunge. Three hundred people showed up at the foot of Taraval Street for the annual Plunge at Ocean Beach on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. Photo: Steve Rubenstein/ The Chronicle
Marin County. Historic fire truck finds new home with Marin History Museum. “This 1935 fire engine is being donated to the Marin History Museum, which is temporarily donating the truck to the Marin County Fire Department, after being transported from Sonoma, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)”
Sonoma County. Devastated by wildfire, a California city weighs rebuilding amid a housing crunch. “Jeff Okrepkie stands by the lot where his house stood in the Coffey Park area of Santa Rosa, Calif. After losing his home in the wildfires last fall, Okrepkie has organized a neighborhood group to help those like him who want to rebuild. (Preston Gannaway/For The Washington Post)”
Mendocino County. Luxury Mendocino Hotel | Heritage House Resort | CA. The Heritage House Resort is a destination you simply must experience for yourself. While our property has undergone a dramatic change over the past five years, transforming from a romantic seaside inn to a contemporary and luxurious boutique hotel, our commitment to the perfect guest experience remains.
Humboldt County. Trinidad. Majestic. Part of the auto wreck scene in The Majestic was shot at College Cove Beach on 19 March 2001. Wikipedia.