Expert: Steve Summers - 6/10/2002

Question
Hi.
Will appreciate if you can recommend a few beaches in Orange/LA/ or Santa Barbabra area that is clean, and less crowded.
I am planning to be there on Weekdays, Monday to Thrusday. Any suggestions of romantic beach?

Will be travelling with my girfriend from oregon.

Thanks,
Amit

Answer
In the Santa Barbara area, we have always enjoyed Carpinteria State Beach. It's about 100 miles from LA, but we feel it's worth it. It's a nice quiet beach town that bustles in the summer, but nothing like the crowded beaches in LA. Also, Refugio, El Capitan are very nice. If you can get to it, try going to Jalama Beach (see them at www.jalamabeach.com).

In LA County, the clean quiet beaches are near the Ventura County Line. If you go north from Leo Carillo State beach towards Oxnard, there are a number of quiet, clean beaches. South of Leo Carillo, it is very crowded. There is not much else in LA County that is not dirty or crowded. The closest are Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches. Just stay away from the piers if you don't want crowds.

In Orange County, we like Bolsa Chica State Beach (with fire pits!). The beach is large enough so that it can take a lot of people without being too crowded. We also like the camping section of Doheney state Beach. The day use section gets crowded, but it is pretty quiet down by the campers. Finally, we like the strech on the Balboa Peninsula, which is not crowded on weekdays. There is lots to do there, too.

Hope this helps,

Steve