Sand and sunshine

Isn’t it why everyone moves here?

The beach. Whether rocky shore or yards of sand, the very tip of

the Orange Coast that nips against the waters of the Pacific attract

hordes of people, including those who can walk down the block and lay

down their towel and families that pile into SUVs and commute 30

minutes to a favorite spot.

It’s the place for surfers, for volleyball players, for sun

worshippers, for sand diggers. And from the south end of Laguna Beach

to the far side of Huntington, there is a beach that’s right for

everyone.

HUNTINGTON BEACH

The City of Huntington Beach didn’t earn the nickname, Surf City,

for nothing.

Whether or not you’re a novice in the water or a seasoned surfer,

the waters along the coastline offer plenty of places to catch the

wave of your choice.

Two who know the city’s surfing “hot spots” are the surf coaches

at Edison and Huntington Beach highs, Zoran Forgiarini and Andy

Verdone.

One of the current “happening” surf spots is the area located in

front of the construction zone at Pacific Coast Highway and 1st

Street. There is no parking available -- due to the construction --

but if you can make the walk, the surf area is “well worth it,”

Verdone said.

Still, both said that the surf around the Huntington Beach Pier

remains a favorite area.

Surf is best on the south side of the pier in the morning, to the

north side in the afternoon -- or, after “blackball.”

“It’s the best all-around spot with the best wave shape,”

Forgiarini said. “The crowd can get gnarly at times, but despite the

crowd, the waves can be worth it.”

If you can sneak off to the “RJs,” or River Jetties, at Brookhurst

Street, you’re sure to catch some south swell barrels.

“The water’s cleaner there than you think,” Verdone said. “The

dirty water talk is just rumor. It’s a good place to surf.”

Forgiarini agreed.

“Generally RJs features a fast, speedy, barreling wave,” he said.

“It’s a spot where you will find some pretty good surfers out there.”

The waves at Magnolia Street are similar to RJs, Forgiarini said,

but it’s a “little bit more mellow -- but still steep.”

Two areas -- Goldenwest Street and The Cliffs -- have plenty to

offer, too.

“Those are two pretty big spots to do some surfing,” Forgiarini

said. “Generally, waves are one-to-two feet higher than in other

spots, although the area gets shut down at high tide.”

If you’re a longboard fan, a hot spot, both said, is the

southern-most end of Bolsa Chica Beach.

“I think all longboarders who board at Bolsa Chica should come out

and enjoy each other’s company,” Verdone said.

“It’s mellow with an ‘Aloha’ attitude,” Forgiarini said. “It’s a

good spot for beginners.”

NEWPORT BEACH

Whether you like to relax on the sand or get active in the water,

Newport Beach has something to offer for all types and ages.

The city’s beaches, which typically are not as crowded as those in

Los Angeles, attract families, body boarders, swimmers and of course,

hordes of surfers.

Adam Wright, a forecaster for Surfline.com, said Newport also

offers waves for beginners as well as seasoned pros. The best waves

are always found between 54th and 56th streets, he says.

“It’s called the hottest 100 yards in surfer circles,” Wright

said. “It’s usually where guys, the pros, go to shoot for Surfer

magazine.”

For beginners 32nd Street to the Balboa Pier is the best bet, he

said.

“That’s usually where most of the longboard group hangs out,”

Wright said. “Mid-level surfers normally hit the beach between 38th

and 44th streets. And of course, for body surfing, there’s the

Wedge.”

A Black Ball flag goes up on the lifeguard tower by the Wedge on

May 1 to let beachgoers know that flotation devices such as

surfboards and bodyboards are prohibited in the area from 10 a.m. to

5 p.m.

For surfers, this is going to be an “average season,” Wright

predicted.

“But we will have a number of swells as well,” he said. “I won’t

say it’s going to be better than last year. But it should be a fun

summer.”

For those not seeking a barrel, Newport has a variety of beaches

to pick from for just plain lounging. Wright’s vote goes to the Baby

Beach in Corona Del Mar for families.

“But if you want to take in natural beauty and looking for

pristine beaches, you should probably go to the beaches south of

Corona Del Mar and Crystal Cove,” he said.

Locally, what beach you want to go to mainly depends on “how you

want to use the beach,” said Newport Beach Lifeguard Officer John

Moore.

“Any beach with fire pits, restrooms and places to eat are going

to be a hit with families,” he said.

Those who are looking for the least crowded areas or to spend a

“quiet day at the beach,” should probably head for the Cameo Shores

area.

“But you have to be a little adventurous and walk along the water

to get there because most of the beaches there are private for

residents of Cameo Shores,” he said. “But the beaches in that area

have a beautiful rocky shoreline and hidden coves. It’s the best

beauty that Newport Beach has to offer.”

LAGUNA BEACH

Laguna Beach’s image as well as its seven miles of coastline is

shaped by 24 beaches, most of them accessible to the public. But a

word of caution.

“Beach-goers can go out and have a beautiful day at any of our

beaches, as long as they know their limits and stay within them,”

said Marine Safety Director Mark Klosterman.

Flags are used at all city beaches to signal the safety level. Red

signifies very dangerous conditions, for experienced ocean swimmers

only. Yellow is hazardous, still best challenged only by the

experienced.

“Green means somewhat safe, but we always urge caution,”

Klosterman said. “It is hard for people to believe that we do 50,000

preventions a year, but Laguna has become a year-round resort

destination.”

Leashed dogs are allowed on the beaches before 8 a.m. and after 6

p.m., June 1-Sept 16 and during all public hours from Sept. 17 to May

31.

There is no curfew for adults on city-maintained beaches.

Laguna’s beaches start at the northern city limits behind the

gates of Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay, inaccessible to the public,

except by water or invitation.

Crescent Bay Park is the first public beach, nestled between Two

Rock Point and Twin Point. Equipped with showers.

Shaw’s Cove, formerly known as Santa Ana Cove, comes next. It is

used for diving classes, including night dives. Spear fishing is

allowed, to the consternation of local swimmers.

Fisherman’s Cove is a tad further south. Divers Cove, Picnic Beach

and Rockpile are zoned “no-take.”

“Laguna Beach is a marine protected area from city limit to city

limit, which allows fishing. “ Klosterman said. “A no-take area means

no shells, no creatures, no plants, no fish.”

Barbecues are allowed on the bluff above Picnic Beach, which is at

the foot of Myrtle Street. One shower.

The rocks that gave Rockpile its name are the remnants of a pier

that ran below the gazebo in Heisler Park to Bird Rock. A 1939

hurricane destroyed it.

Rockpile is one of the three city beaches designated for all-day

surfing.

Main Beach is Laguna’s “Window to the Sea,” bought by the city to

prevent the construction of high rise hotels. A Boardwalk separates

the beach from Main Beach Park, where alcohol is permitted with

meals. Volleyball and basketball courts are attractions. Sleepy

Hollow Beach, with access between Thalia and Legion streets, is an

expansive stretch of sand, perfect for swimming and surfing. Long ago

known as Cheney’s Point

Thalia and Oaks/Brooks Street Beaches are known as Laguna’s best

surfing. The reef between Oak and Brooks Street is known to long-time

Laguna surfers as Honeybuns. All-day surfing is permitted at Thalia

and Brooks beaches. St. Anns Drive, Thalia and Oak/Brooks streets

provide access.

The 46th Annual Pro-Am Surfing Classic is scheduled to be held

there June 21 and 22, weather permitting. The contest, which claims

to be the oldest in the world, is open to all surfers with a Laguna

Beach address. Proof of residency may be required. Registration

opened June 2. The fee is $20.

Mountain/Cress Street Beach, below the Coast Inn, is accessed by

either street. Bluebird Beach is reached by a ramp from South Coast

Highway.

Agate Street Beach comes next. It is narrower and doesn’t have its

own lifeguard but is visible to a guard at Pearl Street Beach,

sometimes referred to as Arch Cove. Surfing is allowed before 11 a.m.

and after 4 p.m. at Agate.

Woods Cove at Diamond Street is a neighborhood beach. The former

home of movie start Bette Davis, identifiable by the big D on the

chimney, is at the top of the steep steps that lead down to the

beach. Parking is limited.

“But that’s pretty much true of all of our beaches,” said

Klosterman, who grew up in town.

Moss Street Beach, a block south, is a quaint little cove.

Snorkelers like it because of reefs.

Victoria Beach is designated for skimboarders during the summer.

Access is by a tunnel at Nyes Place. Used to be known as Sugarloaf.

Treasure Island Park. The beach only recently was opened to the

public. The tide pools are a treasure. Docent tours available. Two

showers. Goff Island, named for an early Laguna Beach settler, is an

attraction, but should be approached with caution. Incoming waves

crash against the steep rock, making for great pictures, but heart

attacks for emergency personnel.

“It’s scary to see someone out there having their picture taken

with their back to the ocean,” said Klosterman.

County beaches are closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Aliso Creek Beach is a county beach with picnic tables, barbecues

and fire pits. Metered parking is $1 an hour. Some free street

parking. Also showers.

The area is permanently posted as unsafe where Aliso Creek spills

onto the beach.

Camel Point is just around the curve on South Coast Highway.

West Street Beach. The north end of the beach is Laguna’s “gay

beach,” publicized in magazines. The southern portion is popular with

skimboarders.

1,000 Steps Beach in South Laguna is named for the steep staircase

that leads to the beach from 9th Street. It isn’t really 1,000 steps;

it just seems that way climbing up after a day at the beach. Body

surfing and volleyball.

Three Arch Bay, named for the rock formations just off the beach,

is at the southern boundary of the city. Like the beach at the

northern boundary, it is off-limits to the public. Cliff-jumpers have

been known to trespass in order to challenge the tides.

Not a good idea.

The ocean is never completely safe, Klosterman said.

“At best, we like to say it is somewhat safe,” he said.

-- Compiled by Deepa Bharath, Barbara Diamond and Mike Sciacca