Warm weather California coastal destinations include Big Sur, Orange County, Dana Point
The winter solstice approaches, Dec. 21; though we’ve had only light precipitation, several weeks of chilly, downright cold mornings presage a California winter. Today we focus on warm weather destinations along the California coast.
Let’s start with the otherworldly Big Sur coast. Big Sur stretches for 95 miles south from Monterey along the rugged coast to San Simeon. Warmed by the ocean, the rocky coastline offers secluded getaways, lovely resorts, stunning campgrounds, frequent sunny days, marvelous restaurants and superlative scenery around virtually every turn on the iconic California Highway 1.
Spanish explorers called it “El Sur Grande“ or, the big south, for the miles of uncharted coast line, difficult to access, with no real ports and treacherous to both ships and early explorers.
Highway 1 was only completed in 1937, taking 18 difficult years to build the scenic highway, leading to today’s tourist-driven economy.
For campers, secluded and scenic campgrounds extend south down the coast like a necklace. Andrew Molera State Park, Julia Pheiffer Burns State Park, Limekiln State Park and Kirk Creek Campground are options. Julia Pheiffer Burns is one of our favorites, both for it seclusion and McWay Falls dropping 80 feet into an ocean cove, as is Kirk Creek, perched high on a bluff with the most stunning views of the coast looking both north and south. Several of the coastal campgrounds offer cabins for rent, offering a camping experience along with motel-like comforts.
For motels and resorts, options are plentiful, from expensive to very pricey. Ragged Point Inn is a favorite, high on a bluff above the ocean, offering both lodging and an on-site restaurant. Numerous restaurants offer everything from laid-back breakfasts to candlelight dinners overlooking the scenic coast. The Big Sur Deli and Taphouse serves a huge fish po’boy with a mountain of fries and local and regional brews, the Big Sur Roadhouse is a newer option gaining fine reviews for California cuisine. For fine dining, Nepenthe is a fine choice for dinner.
Seasonally find Elephant seals at Ano Neuvo State Park (reservations required) and at the six-mile long Piedras Blancas rookery (located just north of San Simeon). Likewise, whale watching is a popular seasonal opportunity; bring your binoculars. With the moist, warm Mediterranean climate, coastal wildflowers provide colorful backdrops through much of late winter into spring.
Take the time, at least once, to tour south to San Simeon and Hearst Castle, perched regally in the hills overlooking the ocean and Santa Lucia Mountains. George Hearst initially acquired 40,000 acres in 1865, while son William Randolph Hearst enlarged the estate to 250,000 acres and constructed a huge and palatial home of 165 rooms, spectacular grounds and world-class art. Words fail to do justice to Hearst Castle.
Looking further south, and to warmer winter weather, let’s visit the Orange County Coast, between Los Angeles and San Diego. Known as “California’s Riviera” since the early 1900s, when both sun-worshipers and Hollywood discovered this sun-kissed 42 mile stretch of sandy beaches offering respite to young to old, rich and poor.
If you are not beach-goers, the county is also home to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, the LA Angels of Anaheim baseball team, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks hockey team, a variety of other sports teams, museums, community theater and many other attractions, but it’s the beachfront towns we are seeking. So pack your beachwear, hiking shoes and bicycles, and explore sunny Huntington Beach down to Dana Point with us!
Start your tour at ‘Surf City USA’, the moniker of Huntington Beach, featuring three beaches, Huntington City Beach, Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica State Beach, popular for volleyball, surfing, fire rings, even beachfront camping. The city features the International Surfing Museum and the Surfing Walk of Fame along Main Street. The Santa Ana River separates Huntington Beach from Newport Beach; the lovely Santa Ana Bicycle Trail following the river about 25 miles inland.
Newport Beach claims the world’s largest small boat harbor, two walkable piers, the Balboa and Newport Piers, along a sandy beach front and lively bike path. Take the inexpensive Balboa island ferry, (pedestrians and bikes welcomed) for a short voyage between Balboa Island and Balboa Peninsula, connecting two lovely communities of waterfront cottages, boutiques and restaurants. The 1905 Balboa Pavilion on the peninsula side is home to harbor and whale-watching tours and Santa Catalina Island cruises.
Take a morning or afternoon foot or bicycle tour of Balboa Island, circled by a wide walkway lined with $5 to $8 million waterfront “cottages”. Make time for a famous Balboa Bar, ice cream on a stick, dipped in chocolate and covered with your favorite toppings, popular since 1945. Just beyond the Newport Beach harbor entrance is Corona Del Mar State Beach, one of the most popular beaches along this sunny stretch.
A favorite destination at the south end of Newport Beach is Crystal Cove State Park, running three miles along the Pacific, with beautiful hiking trails above the ocean. Within the park, the old beachfront town of Crystal Cove preserves refurbished cabins, renting for $170 to mid-$200 a night. Plan a sunset meal at Beachcomber’s Restaurant and tour the small next-door museum that tells the story of the many movies shot here in the 1930s to 80s, including Beaches starring Bette Midler, Herbie the Love Bug, Treasure Island, Son of Tarzan and many more.
Heading south on Highway 1, Laguna Beach offers additional beaches, a quaint downtown, packed with shops, restaurants and boutiques and Main Beach Park, perfect for people-watching.
Finally, Dana Point and Harbor, popularized by Richard Henry Dana who wrote the 1840’s masterpiece “Two Years Before the Mast“. Tour the harbor, featuring well over 2000 boat slips, home to the Ocean Institute and Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, featuring the Spirit of Dana Point, a replica 1770’s privateer used during the American Revolution.
For more insight: Big Sur coast, bigsurcalifornia.org; Hearst Castle, hearstcastle.org; Dana Point, visitdanapoint.com; Huntington Beach, surfcityusa.com; Laguna Beach, visitlagunabeach.com; Newport Beach, newportbeach.com; Orange County Visitors Association, visittheoc.com.
Reach Tim, tviall@msn.com. Happy travels in the west.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Warm weather California coastal winter getaway destinations
