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Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource
California: Best Beach Spots for a Family Vacation. Just as no two families are alike, no two California beaches match the perfect beach formula. Except for sand, sun and water with an occasional fish or seabird which are fairly standard the options for fun remain varied. Some love people watching on Muscle Beach and  the Boardwalk at Santa Monica and for others Pismo Beach is perfect. We have selected a few for the fun of it.
   
California: Santa Barbara, Camp Stories, Swimming, and Surf. The Family Vacation Center has a series of summer experiences designed to inspire and rejuvenate. The Family Vacation Center offers eight one-week sessions during the months of July and August. Families attend for a minimum of one week at a time. Children participate in activities with kids their own age, under supervision of enthusiastic UCSB student counselors. Programs include tennis, golf, swimming, childcare, age-group activities, fitness programs, crafts, sports, leisure, biking, reading, tours, wine tasting, beach trips, horseback riding, kayaking and surfing. Bonus points: Younger children usually stay inside the camp, going for walks, doing arts and crafts, and making friends. Older children venture out into the community—with trips to local parks, the movies, the beach, and more. Teens have a great vacation experience with counselors who are “cool” enough to gear activities to their preferences. (UCSB Alumni Association, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-1120. (805) 893-3123  or  www.familyvacationcenter.com)

California: San Diego, Surfing, Camping and a Clam Dig. San Onofre is California vintage beach made famous by The Beach Boys during the ‘60s. You will find sunshine and sea breezes, windswept bluffs and native vegetation, and awesome starry nights. The 20-mile coastal span includes three beach areas - Trestles, Old Man's and Trails with good facilities and a safe, clean, sandy beach. Add a luscious California morning mist waking the sun, a picnic by the sea, a few Pacific sunsets and a perfect family vacation has been created. San Diego is sweatshirts and sunscreen; ice cream and tacos; San Diego is fun for families of all ages. Off beach bonus: Located in beautiful Balboa Park, the 100-acre San Diego Zoo cares for more than 4,000 individual animals representing 800 different species. It is recognized as one of the finest zoological parks in the entire world. The variety of interesting programs and animal encounter is endless. Discovery: Families may take behind-the-scene tours, participate in mini wildlife workshops or make a visit at night. (2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, 92101. (619) 234-3153, 236 - 1212 or www.sandiegozoo.org)

California: San Diego, Sailing, Skakeboards and a Fire Ring. Find the historic hotel Grand Coronado and the beach will be at your feet. Coronado Beach is always on the list of America's finest beaches. It is wide, clean, and family-friendly. Set along the edge of the delightful turn-of-the-century community of Coronado it exemplifies the best of Southern California. The entire beach is patrolled by lifeguards. Play volleyball at the beach, build a beach fire, try skateboarding in town. Silver Strand State Beach is south of Coronado on a seven-mile stretch that connects with Imperial Beach. It includes both the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean sides of the strand. It offers quiet and glorious sunsets, and plenty of beach space. Recreational activities include camping, surfing, swimming, body boarding, jet skiing, sailing, water skiing, as well as fishing and beach volleyball. The bay side has a nature preserve and is a popular sailing and swimming area because the water is warmer and smoother than the ocean side. Off beach bonus: There is a ten-mile path leading north to Coronado. It is ideal for bicyclists, joggers, walkers and skaters. Discovery: The Navy SEALS train on this beach. (Coronado Beach (619) 435-4179 and Silver Strand State Beach (619) 435-5184 or www.parks.ca.gov)

California: Santa Cruz, Kites, Sandcastles and Surf. Twenty-nine miles of sun-drenched beaches make Santa Cruz a great place for any type of coastal activity. Hiking, picnicking, volleyball, surfing, and building sand castles are just some of the activities available. Off beach bonus: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the most popular seaside amusement park on the west coast. Located at 400 Beach Street in Santa Cruz, the park features rides, games, restaurants, and free summer beach concerts. (Santa Cruz Boardwalk (831) 426-7433, www.beachboardwalk.com or toll-free 1-800-833-3494 www.santacruzca.org)

Content researcded by FTF and images provided by staff. Copyright 2012.

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