Issue date: 3/12/08
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Bodega Bay, a rocky, shallow inlet on the coast about 68 miles north of San Francisco, was named after Spanish explorer Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, who discovered the little bay in 1775.
The city is famous for being the site where Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" was filmed.
Today, Bodega Bay is home to approximately 2,000 people and a fun visitor's getaway. The city has several beaches open to visitors such as Salmon Creek, a great spot for families and surfers alike.
Portuguese Beach, one of the Sonoma's Coast's most expansive beaches, is one of the best beaches for walking and surf wading.
Goat Rock is the spot for kayakers in the Bodega Bay area, as well as those who simply enjoy a great view.
Additionally, Bodega Bay is also a great place for fishing and whale watching enthusiasts, as well as those who enjoy hiking, golfing and camping.
Some of the beaches are canine-friendly and feature many tourists out walking their dogs.
Shoppers can also enjoy a trip to Bodega Bay and partake in wine and cheese tasting or window-shopping.
- Regina Sarnicola
2. Carmel
Carmel, a jewel situated on the Monterey Peninsula south of San Francisco, is known for its natural features and abundance of shopping and cultural venues.
Founded in 1771, Carmel became headquarters for the 21 missions of California.
Along with offering spectacular beach views, trails and scenic routes, Carmel is a stage for the performing arts with its several theaters, including the famous Forest Theatre - the first outdoor theater west of the Rockies.
Today, it is a great place to abandon the car and experience the quaint, yet sophisticated, town on foot.
The food and shopping lover will not get bored in Carmel with all the shops, restaurants and bars it has to offer.
Carmel is also one of the pet-friendliest towns in the U.S., giving pets some limelight.
A place that deserves an entire day to explore is Big Sur, where one can surround themselves with redwoods, the ocean and rivers. Another fun visit is the National Steinbeck Center where one can discover literature and history exploring through John Steinbeck's world.
Carmel is definitely not a place to miss during a beach trip.
- Regina Sarnicola
3. Half Moon Bay
If one is looking for a spot to go soak up sun rays, catch fish, see some sights or just have a quiet picnic this Spring Break, Half Moon Bay provides beautiful scenery with a splash of pleasant beach weather.
Francis Beach within Half Moon Bay has 52 individual campsites for both tent and trailer camping. Meanwhile, Venice Beach provides showers and a cool beach location to relax outdoors.
The functioning port of Pillar Point Harbor offers fishing for all classes and whale watching for the nature lover. There are also historic sites and a self-guided tour of downtown Half Moon Bay available to the curious visitor.
There are also a wide variety of foods available, including seafood fresh produce and ice cream.
Half Moon Bay also offers a wide variety of tourist attractions, from the cheese farms and wineries located in the coast side region to the wildlife tourism such as tide pools and bird refuges.
Combine this with the breathtaking scenery available in the agricultural coast and Half Moon Bay offers plenty of activity for a leisure-filled Spring Break.
- Francisco Rendon
4. Monterey
A short distance from Santa Cruz, is the spectacular coastal community of Monterey.
Home to a population of around 30,000, it is a great place for locals and tourists alike.
Monterey is host to several places of interest, one of the most popular being the Monterey Bay Aquarium, offering exhibits of anything from kelp forests to giant octopuses.
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a federally protected marine area offshore of California's central coast, also serves as a tempting attraction. Its natural resources include the country's largest kelp forest, one of North America's largest underwater canyons. It is also home to one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world.
Monterey also offers various museums, including Colton Hall, a recreation of the meeting room where California's first Constitution was drafted in 1849.
There is also a wide range of parks, walking tours, fishing piers, and even a skate park to check out.
If the beach gets old, visit Cannery Row for the peninsula's finest shopping, dining, lodging or entertainment.
- Regina Sarnicola
5. Ocean Beach
San Francisco may not be the ideal Spring Break location, but take a trip down to Ocean Beach, located on the west coast of San Francisco, and the drive will be worth it.
The beach is popular for surfers, camping and bonfire parties. It is equipped with surf shops, several cafes and the famous Cliff House, a restaurant with beginnings dating back to 1858.
Not too far from Ocean Beach is Golden Gate Park, an excellent place for families with a list of things to do. Found in Golden Gate Park is the De Young Museum, the Conservatory of Flowers, the beautiful Japanese Tea Garden and Music Concourse, among other places.
Additionally, Stow Lake is great for boat rentals and picnicking.
Golden Gate Park also offers playing fields, picnic areas, trails for hikers and bikers, dog parks and tennis courts.
The San Francisco Zoo is another great trip offering a variety of animals great for families. Some driving will get you to Twin Peaks, the second highest point in San Francisco offering a spectacular view of the city.
Pack a picnic lunch and dedicate the entire day to spending time at Ocean Beach.
- Regina Sarnicola
6. Pacifica
Following the path of the historic Ocean Shore Railway is the city of Pacifica.
Located just 12 miles south of San Francisco it is home to a population of around 40,000.
Pacifica, meaning "peaceful" in Spanish, is exactly that.
Known for its natural beauty, it is perfect for anyone looking for a beautiful, local getaway.
For the nature lover, Pacifica has numerous hiking trails, a fishing pier and promenade, great surfing and spectacular sunsets.
The city also offers 18-hole golf courses and several playing fields and parks for the athlete.
Pacifica is also a great place for the art lover, offering art exhibits at the Sanchez Art Center, concerts through Pacifica Performances, plays by the Pacifica Spindrift Players and other cultural events.
Pacifica also hosts the annual Coastside Farmers Market at Rockaway Beach, offering great organic, healthy food for visitors and locals alike.
- Regina Sarnicola
7. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, best known for its historic and thrilling Beach Boardwalk, is a great destination for a laid back, easy Spring Break trip.
Santa Cruz, the quintessential beach town, was where Hawaiian royalty first introduced surfing to the mainland. Both visitors and locals alike have been taking to the waves since.
Not too far from the Boardwalk is Santa Cruz's newly renovated downtown, filled with galleries, vibrant shops, boutiques and outdoor bistros. It is a great place to explore when one is finished at the beach. Every Thursday, the Santa Cruz Cinema 9 showcases flashbacks of some favorite films, ranging from "Singin' in the Rain" to "Jurassic Park."
A must-visit in downtown Santa Cruz is the Saturn Cafe, a hippie restaurant with character.
Visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, housed in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, featuring 100 years of surfing history.
Another great spot in the Santa Cruz area is the Mystery Spot, which has amazed and perplexed thousands of visitors from all over the world, questioning their perspective of gravity, physics and height.
With all these interesting places, Santa Cruz is definitely the place to be for Spring Break.
- Regina Sarnicola
8. Stinson Beach
When looking for a local place for entertainment and relaxation, look no further than Stinson Beach.
Aside from its breathtaking scenery, Stinson offers something for everyone. The beach itself is perfect for sunbathing, surfing or kayaking.
For those who want to be a little closer to nature, visit Point Reyes Lighthouse. Animal lovers can also visit the Point Reyes Bird Observatory.
Also nearby is the scenic Muir Woods. A U.S. National Park, it offers plenty of ground to go hiking among coastal redwoods, some more than 500 years old.
People more drawn toward the arts can venture over to the nearby hippie town of Bolinas to attend the Bolinas Museum. With its five galleries filled with contemporary art and exhibitions from local artists, the museum draws in visitors from all over.
Last, but not least, make a final trip to Slide Ranch, a nonprofit teaching farm perched above Marine Headlands. Organic gardens, various farm animals, coastal trails, and tide-pools offer a great venue for teaching about healthy living, foods and environmental awareness.
- Lauren Shiraishi
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