We are less than a week into the 2013 summer season. What does this mean? Soaking up the sun, building sand castles and surfing monstrous waves, of course. Visit these popular beach destinations and you are sure to have fun while spending time in the sun.
Kicking Back and Relaxing
The Atlantic Ocean can be seen in many areas of the world, but one notable spot is from Myrtle Beach, SC. With more than 60 miles of sand, this beach affords the opportunity to vacate the way you should. Are you a water fanatic during summer? If so, you can go flying down a waterslide, take a banana boat ride, go parasailing or jet skiing. You can visit one of its many waterparks; amusement parks are installed for your pleasure, where you can go on a roller coaster ride.
Perhaps you are more of the subtle type when it comes to beachgoing. You can go fishing off the pier. Chartering a fishing boat is another alternative.
Golfers trying for a hole-in-one and shoppers in search of a little retail therapy won’t be disappointed either, as there is something for you to do also. Know, however, that there are many free and affordable activities you can take part in while visiting this location. After all this fun and no work, you are bound to get hungry. Just step into one of the well-known eateries on the beach and treat your palate to a delectable meal.
Obtaining lodging while at Myrtle Beach also is a cinch. Take your pick of oceanfront resorts, hotels, motels, condo rentals, beach home and vacation rentals, along with a plethora of lodging options. In the interest of time, this article can’t even begin to describe all the things Myrtle Beach can deliver.
Now, let’s travel to Southern California’s Venice Beach, a place frequented by the artistic and creative. What else should I know about this beach? Venice Beach encompasses the beach, the promenade that runs parallel to the beach, Muscle Beach, the paddle tennis courts, the handball courts, Skate Dancing plaza, the various beach volleyball courts, the bike trail and the businesses. Residences that have their addresses on Ocean Front Walk also are considered to be a part of this beach. Many celebrities have called Venice Beach their home. This includes the likes of Nicolas Cage, Kate Beckinsale, Julia Roberts, Anjelica Huston, Fiona Apple, Hulk Hogan, Robert Downey Jr., George Carlin; the list is endless.
The boardwalk at Venice Beach hosts a diverse range of people from all over the world. Stretching roughly one and a half miles along the Pacific Ocean, the boardwalk, commonly called the “walk,” is a place were hundreds of street vendors and performers meet to showcase their offerings. You can get a firsthand glimpse of everything from broken glass walking to mimes to musicians. This also is the go-to place for temporary tattoo art. Souvenirs also are aplenty. In addition, there are a huge selection of restaurants, bars and juice spots from which to choose.
Get your cameras ready because the basketball courts in Venice Beach are renowned for their high level of street ball action. Moreover, countless NBA players have honed their craft or were recruited from these very courts. With so much to take in, it’s no wonder why this beach is regularly referenced in movies and in television shows.
You can have the ‘Lei’ of the land while at Hanalei Bay in Hawaii. What does this beach offer? To begin with, it has a majestic beauty. Hanalei Bay is a two mile long, half-moon of sandy beach carved into the base of a sheer cliff on one side and transforming into a rocky point on the other. Just think of Hanalei Bay as the perfect marriage between white sand and picturesque mountains.
What’s more, if you travel to the westernmost curve of the bay, you’ll find a calm shoreline where the water is relatively quiet; even when most of the north shore is way too rough for safe swimming. In the mood for exercise? The beach is an amazing place for walking or for tossing around a Frisbee, too.
Much like Venice Beach, Hanalei Bay is the home of world champion surfers and athletes. However, you don’t have to rub elbows with the rich and famous to take advantage of all this beach has in store. You can enjoy boundless activities such as paddling, swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, sailing, fishing, beach walks and family days. How’s this for vacationing?
The Be-All and End-All
Now that fall, winter and spring have passed, it’s time to delight in the summer months with a vacation or staycation. Don’t forget to grab your suntan lotion!
Web Links:
http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/things-to-do/;
http://venicebeach.com/about/;
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/life/worlds-50-best-beaches-364981;
http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/kauai_beaches/hanalei_bay.php
-Kimberly Williams
KWLMS 