Beach Trips in the Fall in Southern California?

Picture by Natalia Radcliffe

~ Natalia Radcliffe ~

It’s officially fall here in the United States! Imagine: Cooler temperatures, pumpkin spice lattes, colorful leaves falling from the trees, and the holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner. A perfect greeting for winter that will follow. 

Well, things are a bit different here in California. For us, “cooler temperatures” means the weather is between 80 to 100 degrees on some days. At least the heat doesn’t last as long as during the summer months! So, “cooler” temperatures. 

As we like to describe it, it’s cool in the morning, warm in the afternoon, and then back to cool in the evening. 

What does this all mean, you wonder? Well, it means that here in Sunny California, fall is the perfect time to visit the beach. 

But of course you’re thinking: Wouldn’t that be summer? And you would be right. Summer is the perfect time to visit the beach to get away from the hot temperatures that are a staple for California summers. But many, many, people have that same idea. Some beaches can get pretty busy during the peak of summer. 

If you are the type of person who enjoys quieter places with less crowds, consider visiting the beach in the fall months. 

For starters, school is back in session, so many people have less time to visit the beach. In addition, it’s not as hot as during the summer, so people may not think about it as often. 

There are many beaches near Prospector Ranch, a few just about an hour from us! If you’re planning on visiting us this month, we highly recommend exploring one of the beaches near us. Enjoying a beach day in the fall months is something unique to the warmer states, and sunny California definitely falls under this.

If you’re looking for a day trip, visiting Ventura or Santa Monica are just two of many classics that will keep you entertained for hours. 

Ventura Harbor is about 40 minutes to an hour drive from us, and hosts restaurants, an arcade, and stores. In addition, Harbor Cove Beach is a few minutes walk away and Ventura Pier Beach a short drive away. A few notable things about Ventura Harbor is the hat shop where a large assortment of hats are sold, from typical hiking and sun hats, to more magical and fantastical ones. If you look closely, you might even see the sorting hat sitting on one of the shelves. If you are in the mood for fish and chips, you can eat at Andrea’s overlooking the seaside. Seagulls are known to visit and try to steal your food, so beware!

Santa Monica Pier is also an enjoyable trip. It’s just about an hour from us, slightly over if traffic is bad. Not only do you have the beach, you can also explore the activities the pier offers, including classic fair-type food like kettle corn and cotton candy. The iconic ferris wheel is also a must do while you’re there. Or, if you’re content with people watching or simply gazing out at the expanse of the wide, wide, ocean, find a comfortable spot on the pier to sit or stand and just be in the moment. 

Let us know how your trip went if you decide to visit one of these two places! You can reach out to us on our AirBnb Instagram at @prospectorguestranch or Facebook at @prospectorranch. 

Thumbnail: Background picture by nutraveller on Pixabay.com