Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the new tips regarding other beaches like Huntington, Manhattan and Hermosa. My budget unfortunately doesn’t stretch to expensive resorts but I will look for rentals in those areas.

Here is a Marriott property, nothing fancy but affordable.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/laxmx-city-express-manhattan-beach/overview/

Be very aware of your surroundings there. Leave NOTHING of value in your rental car.

Crime has skyrocketed all over California.

I have done the pacific coast drive and it's beautiful, but because of the cliffs, twists and turns, it's tiring and takes longer than you would think. I would focus on Southern California only, and do a Northern California trip another time.

OP here. Thanks for the new tips regarding other beaches like Huntington, Manhattan and Hermosa. My budget unfortunately doesn’t stretch to expensive resorts but I will look for rentals in those areas.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coastal areas can be really overcast that time of year and you might be disappointed. It's not typically raining, just cloudy and chilly. The sun typically comes out in the afternoon though.

Ugh! Are there any beaches right in the south of California which are warmer and sunnier? Maybe I’m trying to check too many boxes in one trip. I don’t really want to go to the Delaware beaches. They are okay, but I am Australian and my standards are high 😁. Guess I’m trying to combine my desire to explore the US and see the West Coast with everyone else else’s desire to chillax a little.

I just looked at the location of Lake Tahoe. It’s quite far north – would it be cloudy and the water quite cold too?

Californians like to go to Hawaii or Mexico for their beach vacations.

I’m a Californian. I love Hawaii and Mexico, but I also love California beaches. I visit all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coastal areas can be really overcast that time of year and you might be disappointed. It's not typically raining, just cloudy and chilly. The sun typically comes out in the afternoon though.

Ugh! Are there any beaches right in the south of California which are warmer and sunnier? Maybe I’m trying to check too many boxes in one trip. I don’t really want to go to the Delaware beaches. They are okay, but I am Australian and my standards are high 😁. Guess I’m trying to combine my desire to explore the US and see the West Coast with everyone else else’s desire to chillax a little.

I just looked at the location of Lake Tahoe. It’s quite far north – would it be cloudy and the water quite cold too?

Californians like to go to Hawaii or Mexico for their beach vacations.

Anonymous wrote:Skip SF. It's gross.

I live in SF. I walk around every day. Not sure why you think it’s gross.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Manhattan Beach. It’s a lot of fun, beautiful and August is the perfect time.

It’s an El Niño year and the water is supposed to be warmer than normal.

Ignore the California haters. Americans get a steady stream of Anti-California content. It’s funded by right wing sources and spreads on social media and cable news. People genuinely believe it’s a rotten state. Come, go to Manhattan Beach, go to beaches in Orange County, go to Malibu. It’s gorgeous and you will be content.

Listen to this person. Go to Manhattan or Hermosa Beach. The beaches in that part of LA are very nice (unlike on the east coast). The water isn't warm, but manageable in August. There are lots of restaurants, shops, etc. along the boardwalks. You can go for a bike ride, etc. Go to Disneyland for a day. Then drive up the coast to San Francisco and do some sightseeing/hiking along the way. You can skip San Diego. It's fine, but there's nothing distinct/exciting about it.

Californian here who recommended Huntington Beach above, I also recommend Manhattan/Hermosa Beach. Great suggestion. I do love San Diego, and I think there is a lot exciting there, but for 12 days of travel, I’d stay at a beach resort at one of the great beaches in the larger LA region, drive up Hwy 1 (ideally spending a night in Big Sur) then go up to SF and fly out of SFO.

OP, keep in mind a lot of the anti-California online content comes from or is amplified by Chinese and Russian bots determined to take down the US’s most successful industries. They find audiences in fools.

Anonymous wrote:Go to Manhattan Beach. It’s a lot of fun, beautiful and August is the perfect time.

It’s an El Niño year and the water is supposed to be warmer than normal.

Ignore the California haters. Americans get a steady stream of Anti-California content. It’s funded by right wing sources and spreads on social media and cable news. People genuinely believe it’s a rotten state. Come, go to Manhattan Beach, go to beaches in Orange County, go to Malibu. It’s gorgeous and you will be content.

Listen to this person. Go to Manhattan or Hermosa Beach. The beaches in that part of LA are very nice (unlike on the east coast). The water isn't warm, but manageable in August. There are lots of restaurants, shops, etc. along the boardwalks. You can go for a bike ride, etc. Go to Disneyland for a day. Then drive up the coast to San Francisco and do some sightseeing/hiking along the way. You can skip San Diego. It's fine, but there's nothing distinct/exciting about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coastal areas can be really overcast that time of year and you might be disappointed. It's not typically raining, just cloudy and chilly. The sun typically comes out in the afternoon though.

Ugh! Are there any beaches right in the south of California which are warmer and sunnier? Maybe I’m trying to check too many boxes in one trip. I don’t really want to go to the Delaware beaches. They are okay, but I am Australian and my standards are high 😁. Guess I’m trying to combine my desire to explore the US and see the West Coast with everyone else else’s desire to chillax a little.

I just looked at the location of Lake Tahoe. It’s quite far north – would it be cloudy and the water quite cold too?

California native here. Your answer is Orange County: Huntington Beach or other Orange County beaches. In August it will be gorgeous.

Don’t go to Tahoe. It’s not a lying-around beach and it’s very high up, meaning they get freak storms in August. Also the lake is freezing.

What is your budget? The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel is gorgeous and has a little cart service to take you down to the beach. But it is $$$$. The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach is a little cheaper and has a private bridge over the PCH if you want to be in a more bustling area. Both set you up with beach supplies. The Montage Laguna is also gorgeous but also $$$$.