Berkeley Parents Network: Going to the Beach

Berkeley Parents Network

Going to the Beach

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Places to Go > Going to the Beach

Questions

Beach vacation for psoriasis sufferer
Day trip to the beach
Camping near the beach
Weekend getaways near water
Beach rental for a long weekend
Beaches with shells for Beachcombing
Beach vacation in So. California
Beach vacation in N. California
Beaches 1/2 hour drive from Berkeley
Advice about kids & babies at the beach

Reviews of Beach Destinations

Beach vacation for psoriasis sufferer

March 2006

My husband has a severe case of psoriasis and as a result we've NEVER gone on a beach vacation, which is my dream. I'd appreciate any recommendations for some place with private/secluded beaches. anonymous

The Big Island of Hawaii has a number of secluded beaches. The most secluded ones tend to be ones that require a hike in, and the reward is almost total privacy. Kiholo Bay is lovely (although cold, as there are underwater freshwater springs. There is also a ''Queen's bath'' there--a cave partly filled with fresh water that is lovely. The Captain Cook monument doesn't have much beach (sand) but has fabulous snorkeling. The book ''Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed'' is a great source for lesser-known beaches (the authors have also written books on Maui and Kauai). Carrie

Although my SO doesn't have psoriasis (my brother does, though, so I'm familiar with it), he never goes out shirtless, and I have never seen him in actual swim trunks even once in our 10 years together. However, I drag him to hawaii every chance I get... he wears longish shorts and t-shirts -- or even long sleeves -- even on the beach!!! And I wear my bathing suit and enjoy myself. He will go in the water, wearing what I've noted above, and has absolutely no qualms about it. For him, it's better than the vicious sunburns he gets b/c his skin is so fair. I guess I'm just saying that your husband could get longish shorts, linen or rayon casual long pants, a tank top and maybe long sleeve linen shirts? He would still be able to enjoy himself and not be super self conscious, if that's what his/your concern is about. Anon

Day trip to the beach

Aug 2005

We are looking for a family friendly beach near the bay area for a day trip. Most years we go to santa cruz but, the last few years the weather has been very cold. We don't mind driving for about 2-3 hours for a good beach day. Thanks tmcampuzano

My family just discovered a wonderful beach about an hour south of Half Moon Bay. It's called Natural Bridges State Beach. It is a beautiful beach, not very crowded and there is a tide pool area that is the nicest I've ever seen (starfish, anenmones (SP) sea urchin, crabs, seaweed, etc). The bathrooms are good too. There is a $6/car admission fee but we thought it was worth it. It's a good idea to check tides as you plan but we happened to be there on high tide and it was still great. Denise

We like all these beaches:

Rodeo Beach (Golden Gate Nat Recr Area/Marin Headlands)
Muir Beach (Highway 1, north)
Stinson Beach (Highway 1), north of Muir Beach
San Pedro beach (Highway 1, south of Pacifica)

To make sure you enjoy your day at the beach, remember to take some coats with you! ;-)

Enjoy the beach, EP

Try Stinson Beach or Muir Beach in Marin.

I like Drakes beach at Pt Reyes because it has a nice big bathroom and a snack bar where you can get clam chowder and stuff like that. It has a nice flat beach along with easy rocks to climb on. It is more shielded from the wind too, as it's inside a curve of cliffs, on the underarm part of the Point, so it's enjoyable even on a foggy day. It takes us 1.5-2 hours to get there from Berkeley, but it's a lovely drive.

We've also gone to Stinson Beach twice this summer and it's a great beach for families - lots of other kids there, a snack bar, spacious changing rooms and bathrooms, usually kites and volleyball and other interesting things to see. Plus it's a short drive - maybe an hour.

Last summer we went to Montara Beach, south on highway 1, and it is a very beautiful beach, not many people there, with a more sloping beach. I myself prefer a quieter more picturesque beach like Montara but my kids really like being at a beach with a lot of activity and other kids, so we generally go to Marin. Ginger

Beach vacation in So. California

Jan 2005

I am looking for a great place on the beach to vacation with my family this summer in Southern CA. We would like to stay on the beach, in a rental that has a kitchen, etc. We are considering Santa Barbara and San Diego, but are open to all suggestions. Any recommendations of specific properties or rental companies would be most appreciated. Thanks! Seth

When I was growing up, our family used to vacation in Laguna Beach during the summer. It's gotten a lot more upscale, but is still a lovely place. It has lots of art galleries and an art festival during the summer months. Deni

Keep in my mind that beaches in California are often foggy/overcast during late June, July, and beginning of August. I had a fantastic vacation in La Jolla planned for last summer in July and after a few days of fun with no sun we bailed and took the family to the desert for some warmth. I hear that Carlsbad is a great place to go. The beach is beautiful and it's not as expensive as La Jolla, San Diego area and Santa Barbara.

Camping near the beach

Jan 2004

We would like any camping recommendations that are located near a beach. We are planning a family camping trip (4 families)in August and would like to be near a beach. beach camper

There are three excellent sites that I have gone to - one close to the Bay Area and two a bit further. The closest is at Point Reyes. You won't be on the beach, but can certainly get there quickly in the morning and there are sites with views of the ocean. The further ones are much closer to the beach, but will take some more time to get to. In San Diego, you can camp just above the ocean, on the cliffs. Very beautiful. Also, near the Sequoia National Forest in Northern California, you can camp right on the beach. Have fun!

Manresa State Beach just South of Capitola is a great campground and walking distance to the beach. I would recommend going in late Sept. or Oct. since the fog is gone by then. We go every year in October. It is a walk-in campground, however, you can park your car, bring in your gear and then park in the parking lot. The sites are close, not a far walk. The sites are somewhat private with small brush and small trees around. The nice thing is that they have big open spaces for children to play baseball, soccer right next to the sites. you can make reservations at ReserveAmerica.com donna

Weekend getaways near water

March 2003

I am hoping someone has a great area to look at. We are looking for a weekend getaway, not more than 2 hours away with lake or river accessible. We would want to spend summers and some weekends there. Do you have a favorite place that sounds like this. We have two very small children and would love for them to have a place where they can grow up knowing that there are places outside the city. kristi

Recommendations received:

Sea Ranch Autumn Mist

Stinson Beach Sea Drift

Beach rental for a long weekend

June 2002

We're looking a beach rental for a long weekend at the end of August for 4 adults and 2 children. We're open to anything within several hours driving distance of the Bay Area that is comfortable and not too expensive. I've already reviewed the past recommendations on the website Any other specific recommendations would be most appreciated. Thanks! Seth

Recommendations received:

Sea Ranch

Beaches with shells for Beachcombing

April 2003

My toddler and I would like to find a beach (ideally near the Bay Area) that is good for beachcombing - finding seashells and colored pebbles - and where it would be OK to collect a few of these things. Thanks! Valerie

We went to the little beach at China Camp State park in San Rafael, about a 20 minute drive from Berkeley on the San Pablo Bay. Tons of small pieces of smooth sea glass. Such a fun place to beachcomb! Stephanie

Beach vacation in N. California

July 2002

We would like to go on a week-long beach vacation this August with our two children, both of whom are under the age of 3. We were hoping to rent a house on the beach where the water was warm enough to swim in. We were also hoping to drive there, instead of fly. We haven't lived in Northern California for very long and therefore, would appreciate any recommendations other members may have. I checked the Parents Network website but didn't find enough information to differentiate between Stinson, Muir beach, Half Moon Bay, Aptos and the like. Are these the best choices for August? Is the weather dependable? Is there anyone out there who can enlighten us? Thank you in advance. sorent

I would try going farther south for warmer water. Even in the summertime, a lot of Northern California water is still cold. I have swam in the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and every large major lake and river in the U.S. Southern waters are definately warmer (as well as West Coast waters).

Or you could try Lake Commanche (see Lake Commanche)

I am a former New Yorker who spent summers on Long Island Beaches. I think the water in Northern California is too cold to do much swimming at all for little ones, even in August. The best place for us in Northern California has been Dillon Beach, where there are a bunch of houses to rent, has a large sandy beach and lots of families around. Personally, if I were doing a beach vacation I'd go to San Diego or Mexico.

I am planning a spring break vaca at the beach, tent camping. It will be another mom and two kids, 9 and 12 yrs. We are camping at San Simeon State Park right on the beach, hghwy 1 and within a hour to hour and a half is Pismo beach state park and in between, everything. Seals, otters, dunes, docent lead hikes, tidepools, elephant seals, mineral springs. Chk it out on the web. $12.00 a night for tent space w/showers and flush restromms. Up to eight people and two cars.

Beaches 1/2 hour drive from Berkeley

Can anyone recommend a beach near to Berkeley? Not Alameda. I love that beach but I'd like something closer--Berkeley, Richmond, Pt. Richmond. Does Pt. Pinole have a beach? Is it too far from Berkeley? I realize that how far someplace is is often related to time of day or whether it's a weekend or not--because of traffic. But I'd just like someplace that's no more than a half hour to get to. And maybe a place that I can get to in my car that uses backroads rather than those clogged freeways. Smokey

There are a couple of beaches in Richmond. Keller Beach is close to Pt. Richmond. If you take Cutting all the way down (west), and turn left at the Richmond Plunge to go through the tunnel, you'll be there. The beach is on the right as you come out of the tunnel. (I'm not sure of the name of the street you turn left on, but I really do think it's where Cutting ends, and it is certainly right at the end of the Washington School grounds.) I've also noticed a nice new beach at the Richmond Marina. I've only biked to this, so I'm not exactly sure how to get there by car, but I think again you'd take Cutting west, and turn left on Marina Bay and enter that Marina Bay development. The beach is near the new playground, and it is on the left arm of the marina, as you face the bay. To get there by bike, take the path that starts at Pt. Isabel (near Costco). It will bring you right there. (This path apparently starts at the Berkeley Marina, but it doesn't look like it's paved all the way.) There are beaches at Pt. Pinole, too, although I've never seen anyone swimming. That might be worth investigating. I might worry about old rotten pilings and things in the water there if it's not an official beach. Happy swimming -- Christina

There is--or was--a lovely, secluded little beach in Point Richmond. It's called something like Shadow Cove, I think. To get there, you take the freeway towards the San Rafael Bridge, get off in Point Richmond. Go into the middle of the town and look for the tunnel that goes into the hills (south). The beach is just on the other side of the tunnel. Sorry my information is so vague, but maybe you can find it if you have time to drive around a bit. Keller Beach in Point Richmond is nice. Take 580 to the Point Richmond exit. I can't give real specific directions, but go to the Richmond Plunge (pool), then through the tunnel and the beach is right there. It is shallow quite a ways out and my 4 year old loves that. Louise

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