Today we headed back up Hwy5 to LA from San Diego. We left the freeway at Dana Point and travelled up the coast Hwy 1 to explore the famous Orange County beaches - Laguna, Newport, Huntington, Sunset and Long Beach. The beach culture is alive and well in California! Being very cautious the beaches were closed to the public today because of a tsunami warning, though the board riders were taking advantage of the bigger surf. Just read this on ninemsn.com - catching up with the news!
"California ordered hundreds of people to evacuate from coastal areas as tsunami waves swept in, while a half-metre surge was recorded on Mexico's Pacific coast"
Thought the surf was big today!
The beaches are big - long and wide, but perhaps lack the character of Aussie beaches. The main beaches have Piers which give you a great view up and down the coast, though the marine layer was active today and shrouded everything until the sun burnt it off later in the day. Again, off both Newport and Huntington Beach Piers, the sea birds and dolphins were in feeding frenzies on the schools of small fish running off the coast at the moment. The drive along the coast highway passes through some beautiful suburbs and holiday destinations.
At Newport Beach we visited Balboa Island which is a quaint and charming island community situated in beautiful Newport Harbour. Along Marine Parade (lined with Australian gum trees!) there were some great and unique shops, restaurants and galleries, while the North Bay front walkway showed of some of the million dollar vacation homes. Great village atmosphere!
It was great to explore the Beachboy's territory today! "Surfin', surfin' USA........."
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| Alisimo Beach, Laguna |
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Crescent Bay from Vista Point, Laguna Marine layer was starting to lift. |
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Seal Rock off Vista Point. The seals were very noisy - all that barking must be lovely for the locals on shore! |
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| Big Carona Beach, Laguna. Marine layer still hanging around. |
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| Marine Drive, Balboa Island, Newport |
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| Holiday homes on beautiful Balboa Island, Newport. |
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| Newport Beach on Balboa Peninsula. |
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| Surfs up Newport Beach! |
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| Huntington Beach |
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Pier and boardwalk transport (if you don't want to enjoy a walk!) at Huntington Beach! Very quiet today because beaches closed to the public because of the the tsunami warning |
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| Some of the homes on the cliff overlooking Little Corona Beach, Laguna |
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