The OC Beach Scene

Ok, so I realize that we are well into October and that the brisk, blustery winds and ominous-looking rainclouds are sure-fire signs of the rapidly approaching fall season; however, there is still time to make use of the last of the sun’s summer rays by getting out of the house with our furry friends! From dog parks to dog beaches to–and I’m being dead serious here–dog buses, Orange County offers plenty of opportunities for you and your pet to have some outdoor fun!

Dog Parks:These pet-friendly parks are the perfect place for your dog to make some new friends and run wild without the restraints of a leash. Many dog parks offer some special perks for your pooch, including shaded resting areas and doggie bowls perfect for parched perros. The Laguna Niguel Pooch Park, located at 31461 Golden Lantern, is a great option for pets and their people in the Dana Point/Laguna Niguel area. For those canines with a bit of an artistic streak, the Laguna Canyon Dog Park is located just down the road from the Sawdust Festival at 20612 Laguna Canyon Rd.

Dog Beaches: These days, the surf and sand isn’t just for us humans! The Huntington Beach Dog Beach, running from 21st Street to Seapoint in Huntington, has been named Orange County’s “dogfriendliest beach” by ocdogfriendly.com due to its wide expanse of sandy, leash-free fun. For those of us in South County, Laguna Beach allows leashed dogs to explore its miles of pristine shoreline from September 17th through May 31st. Need a ride? The Doggie Bus provides free rides from Tustin to Huntingon Beach Dog Beach most weekends! Head on over to doggiebus.com for more info, including an updated schedule.

For a complete list of dog parks and beaches in Orange County, as well as plenty of other ideas for having fun with your four-legged friend, be sure to check out these great websites:

ocdogfriendly.com
hautedogs.org
petfiniti.com

The surf in Orange County has been spotty at best all summer long–a couple days of fun waves followed by a weeks-long flatspell seems to sum up the pattern pretty well–leaving many surfers bored and craving some water time. However, just because the surf’s flat doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the ocean. In fact, for scuba divers and snorkelers, small swell days are the perfect days to take a dip and explore the world beneath the waves (or in this case, lack of waves).

It’s so easy for us as surfers to overlook the aesthetic pleasures of the coast, the vibrant beauty of the ocean. For us, the beach is often simply seen as a stretch of sand that separates us from the water, the ocean merely a wave-generating machine; however, I have found that snorkeling (or free diving, or scuba diving) is the perfect way to reconnect with this body of water that so many of us call a second home.

As luck would have it, we Orange County locals live not only in a swell-blessed region (ok, sometimes-swell-blessed region), but also in an area of diverse and plentiful sea life. Laguna Beach, with its hidden coves and rocky outcroppings, is the perfect place to discover the hidden beauty that resides right beneath the water’s surface. So next time the surf’s flat (i.e. right now!), grab your mask and fins and head down to the beach!

A few tips for maximizing your flat-day fun:

When to go: The best time to go snorkeling is when the surf is small or non-existent. Not only is this the safest time to go, it’s also when we have the clearest water and best visibility. Check surfline.com or the Orange County Register for the local conditions.

Where to go: Laguna is filled with tiny, tucked away coves with plenty of underwater nooks and crannies to investigate; however, two of my favorite snorkeling spots are Shaw’s Cove and Crescent Bay. While these two North Laguna favorites are right next door to one another, there is enough to see at both beaches that you’ll want to spend some time exploring each of them separately.

What to bring: Thanks to the shallow nature of Laguna’s reefs and their close proximity to shore, you can forget the physical (as well as financial) burden of all that scuba gear. All you need are a decent pair of swim fins, a mask and snorkel, and (optional) a bag of frozen peas. No, the peas aren’t for an after-snorkel snack, they’re for the fish. Save money by buying the in-store brand–the fish don’t seem to notice the difference!

Be Safe: Be on the lookout for rip currents, as these can pose a serious threat to swimmers–even those wearing swim fins. Tell tale signs of a rip include brownish, foamy water and a deceptively calm break in the surf. Also, avoid getting too close to the rocks, as an unexpected wave or current can easily push even a strong swimmer into their jagged, often sea urchin-spotted walls.

For more information on snorkeling and scuba diving in Laguna, including current dive conditions, check out the Laguna Sea Sports website. Hope to see you guys out there!

With the autumnal equinox just around the corner (its September 22nd this year for all of you non-astromony buffs), most of the Northern Hemisphere is gearing up for fall; however, here in the OC, my favorite part of summer is really just beginning! Thanks to our mild climate and year-round sunny weather, September is a great time for Orange County locals and a few lucky visitors to experience the magic of summertime in OC without the summertime crowds. The kids are back in school and the tourists have all packed it back into the minivan, leaving our beaches empty and inviting!

Here are some tips for getting the most out your late-summer beach days in OC:

1. Wear some layers. Although midday temps may be perfect for sunbathing, consider bringing along a sweatshirt as early mornings and evenings can get a bit nippy.

2. Bring a board! Another great plus for September in Orange County: the surf is great! With plenty of storms brewing in the Southern Pacific this time of year, along with the strong possibility of hurricane surf arriving from Mexico, September always seems to have some of the best waves of the summer!

3. Pack a wetsuit. While September water temps are usually still quite warm, the cool morning air can nonetheless send shivers down surfers’ spines. Wearing even a wetsuit top or a spring suit can greatly reduce the chill factor of those early morning sessions.

4. Lather up! Just because the weather’s a bit cooler doesn’t mean you should leave the sunscreen at home. Not only is a sunburn unattractive, repeated overexposure to the sun’s uv rays can lead to a potentially deadly case of melanoma. Cancer isn’t cool!

Anyways, I hope that you find these tips useful as you enjoy the remaining days of our extended summer in Orange County! Be sure to hit the beach a few more times while the weather’s still great!