CALIFORNIA VACATION RENTALS, U.S.A.

Miles of stunning shoreline dotted with natural arches and secluded coves accentuate the scenic magnificence of the Sonoma Coast State Beach. Considered as one of California’s most stunning attractions, the beach is actually a number of beaches, which extends 17 miles from Bodega Head to 4 miles north of Jenner. While the jetty along the Bodega Harbor is a popular crabbing area, others can immerse themselves in discovering sandy coves and breathtaking magnificent views through a hike on one of the trails on the ocean side.

If you wish to spot seals and enjoy a quiet picnic on the beach, then the Goat Rock near the mouth of the Russian River is the perfect destination. However, during the pupping season in the months of March to August, it is advisable to stay 50 yards from the seals. Dogs are not allowed on the Goat Rock Beach. Those keen on beachcombing and in the study of tidal pool marine life can head to the Shell Beach, which is also known as a prime fishing spot. Two miles of scenic sandy beach perfect for surf fishing, beachcombing and picnicking makes the Salmon Creek Beach a popular summer destination. In order to protect the snowy plovers, dogs and fires are not allowed on the Salmon Creek Beach. Rock fishing and surf fishing can be enjoyed on the scenic sandy beaches of Portuguese Beach and Schoolhouse Beach. Swimming is not allowed on any of the beaches and the weather is quite unpredictable, therefore layered clothing is always recommended. Preferred accommodations include beachfront California vacation rentals in Sonoma or Bodega Bay.

Jagged and rugged, the Mendocino Coast is considered to be one of the most dramatic and picturesque regions. With cliffs looming majestically over the wide expanse of oceanic blue and the sky gleaming with different hues, riveting your gaze from this spectacular sight is almost next to impossible. The 1,530 acre MacKerricher State Park enshrouds a variety of beaches within its fold that are not only breathtakingly spectacular but also feature a host of activities such as fishing, hiking and bird watching.

The Russian Gulch State Park and the Mendocino Headlands State Park are the other lovely spots from where you can enjoy expansive views of the Mendocino Coast along with a host of recreational activities. The Big River Beach in the Mendocino Headlands is popular for canoeing and kayaking and the rocky ledges found also attract abalone divers. Featuring a sheltered sandy beach and a lush fern canyon, the Van Damme State Park offer visitors’ miles of hiking and biking trails and opportunities for diving, fishing and kayaking. All these can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace from a California condo or vacation rental in Mendocino.

Whether it is the magnificent scenic views you want to capture through the lens of your camera or laze on the gorgeous shores or indulge in a host of outdoor activities, the San Francisco Beaches are perfect for all your vacation moods. The Land’s End Beach is perfect for those looking for a secluded spot, which is situated along the cliffs in the west of Lincoln Park, while Ocean Beach, San Francisco’s largest beach serves the exact opposite purpose as it is crowded over the weekends and is considered to be a great picnic spot.

Though surfing and fishing are popular activities enjoyed, swimming should be usually avoided due to the rip currents and the often cold and windy temperatures.  Dogs are allowed on this beach and even fires are permitted between Lincoln Way and Fulton Street. Fort Funston is yet another beach, which is particularly known for its dramatic landscape that encompasses jagged cliffs and pristine sand dunes. The 4.6 mile long beach is a popular spot for horseback riding, walking your dog, people watching and even for hang gliding. The best way to enjoy all these is to book a beachfront California condo in the San Francisco Bay area.

Beachgoers have plenty to look forward to on the stunning beaches of Half Moon Bay, which entices everyone with some or the other attraction or activity. Whether it’s the early morning sun rise that catches your fancy or the abundance of activities you just can’t wait to try, one thing is for sure you are guaranteed to have a blast. The four mile long stretch of aqua blue shores in the Half Moon Bay State Park is divided among its various beaches including Miramar, Naples, Dunes, Venice, Francis, Elmar, Roosevelt and Cowell Ranch Beach.

Make the most of these gorgeous beaches which are packed with innumerable options such as basking under the sun to kite flying, surfing, fishing or galloping off on your horse into the horizon. The other popular beaches in this area include the Pomponio State Beach and Pebble Beach, which is particularly known for its unique rock formations and features plenty of tide-pools as well. However, do remember picking up pebbles from the Pebble Beach is illegal and though this beach is dog friendly, it is definitely not fire friendly. The Pomponio State Beach is ideal for fishing or hosting a picnic party, however dogs and beach fires are not allowed. Popular accommodations in the Half Moon Bay area include California apartments and California cabins.

The Monterey County is undoubtedly considered to be one of the most scenic regions along the Central Coast that proudly flaunts its treasure trove of natural splendors including miles of sandy beaches, a diverse variety of marine animals and quaint fishing villages. Occupying the northernmost corner of the Monterey County are the three quaint beaches in Moss Landing that are ideal for pursuing a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, clamming, surfing, windsurfing, horseback riding or for those seeking a solitude retreat. Besides the usual gamut of water sport activities you can also enjoy activities like hang-gliding and sky diving at the Marina State Beach.

Adding further glory to the never ending splendor of the scenic Central Coast are the innumerable pristine sand beaches found in and around Carmel. The celebrated Carmel Beach has quite a large number of beach lovers flocking to its sunny shores that has also earned the reputation of being called one of the most romantic beaches in California. Whether you are hoping to spend a lazy morning basking under the sun; enjoying the beautiful sunset or simply taking a walk under the stars, Carmel Beach and its share of California vacation rentals will more than fulfill the prophecy of a perfect beach vacation.

Situated south of Carmel, Point Lobos State Reserve is a rich combination of a spectacular coast, a rich underwater habitat and great many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Follow one of the trails along the shoreline that leads to hidden coves, tide pools and sandy beaches and if you are in luck, you may also be able to spot harbor seals, sea lions, otters and a wide variety of seabirds. If you don’t mind the chilling water temperatures, you can definitely swim or wade in the icy-cold waters of the China Cove and Gibson Beach or indulge in scuba diving at Whalers Cove and Bluefish Cove.

It would be unfair to miss out on the Santa Barbara vacation rentals beaches when writing about the Central Coast as this historically rich Spanish city of Santa Barbara has miles of shimmering beaches to boast about. Situated next to the wharf, East Beach is regarded as Santa Barbara’s fabled beach, which is ideal for a picnic out in the sun and sand. Besides working on getting a gorgeous tan, you can also indulge in a host of outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing, volleyball etc. Located between the wharf and the harbor, the West Beach will specially appeal to your little ones as it features a kid-friendly water-play lagoon and a lot of other fun-filled activities. Ideal for surfing and body surfing are the Leadbetter Beach, situated on the other side of the harbor and the Hendry’s Beach, which is located two miles west of Leadbetter.

Hollywood is synonymous with glamour and glitz and the fad doesn’t stop just there as the beaches of Los Angeles are also a reflection of the glam world. Miles of sun-baked beaches allure visitors from across a wide spectrum to come and join in the effervescent beachgoers community through active participation in any one of the typical beach activity. Comprising of several stunning beaches, the Malibu Lagoon State Park features wetlands, hidden coves, tide pools and gardens inhabited by a variety of interesting birds, plants and butterflies. You can choose from a myriad number of activities such as surfing at the famous Surfrider Beach; fishing from the Malibu Pier; swimming, scuba diving and surfing at the Westward Beach or body boarding or playing a game of volleyball at Zuma Beach before returning to your Los Angeles vacation rental for the night.

San Diego Area is also a haven for the beach lovers and staying at one of the San Diego vacation rentals adds as an advantage as you are never too far off from the popular beach resorts of Mission Beach, Encinitas, Pacific Beach and La Jolla Beach. Mix and mingle with the locals and try out wacky things at the popular boardwalk in Mission Beach or participate in a host of outdoor activities such as volleyball, rollerblading, skateboarding, body boarding, swimming, kayaking and surfing at the six mile coastline in Encinitas. To the north of the Mission Beach is the Pacific Beach, which truly encapsulates the essence of a typical Californian beach town through its year round sunshine and of course the brilliant blue waters of the ocean.

Undoubtedly, Orange County’s main attraction is its beaches and deciding on which one to choose for your California Beach vacation can sometimes get a little too baffling. Hence a little description on the various beaches and the accommodations that you can get there will surely ease your worries and help you decide on which beach would be the best for you. Broad sandy beaches grace the town of Seal Beach and are ideal to wile away your time collecting shells, building sand castles, topping up your tan or if you prefer a bit of an activity you can always opt for swimming, surfing and fishing.

Aptly called the ‘Surf City, USA’ Huntington Beach is primarily a beach for the surfers; however this should not discourage others from visiting this beach as it also has its share of other attractions to draw the non-surfers as well. Besides surfing you can enjoy a host of other activities such as swimming, kayaking, beach volleyball, basketball, kite-boarding, fishing etc.

Situated north of Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach covered with pine trees and sand dunes makes a pretty sight, which would tempt you to go on clicking more and more pictures. A year round destination, Sunset Beach features barbecues, picnic tables, a playground, bike path, volleyball and basket ball courts and is perfect for outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing and fishing. The other prominent beach in this region is the 3 mile long Bolsa Chica State Beach, which is known for its gentle surf and is definitely a good beach for novice surfers. Wind surfing and surf fishing are other popular outdoor activities you can enjoy here. Due to its gentler surf, the beach is also ideal for families and some of the facilities include picnic areas, wheelchair-accessible restrooms and access ramps. Vacation rentals in this part of California include houses, condos, duplexes, cottages, and townhomes.

The Lower Yosemite Fall trail is a short and easy hike on the paved trail to the bottom of the Lower Yosemite Fall and this particular trail does give you the opportunity to capture scenic vistas through your camera lenses. It’s a 0.5 mile hike and the roundtrip takes 20 minutes to complete. The Bridal Veil Fall that starts at the beginning of the Wawona Road and winds its way to the bottom of the Bridalveil Fall is yet another short hike that takes around 20 minutes to complete and is 0.5 mile long. This also comes in the easy range of hikes along with the Mirror Lake/Meadow trail which takes one hour to complete and is 2 miles long. This short hike is a stroll along an old paved road that leads you to the Mirror Lake which ideally turns into a pond during springs and is a meadow the rest of the year.

For those seeking a more challenging trail can opt for Valley Floor Loop and Vernall Fall as both comes under the moderate level of difficulty. The Valley Floor Loop starts from the shuttle bus stop of Lower Yosemite Fall and the trail takes you along the valley floor, from where you can marvel at some picturesque views of the Yosemite Valley. This particular trail is 6 miles long and approx. takes 2 to 4 hours to complete one round. Vernal Fall is mostly an uphill climb to the Vernal Fall footbridge and it is 1.6 miles long and nearly takes 1.5 hours to reach the bridge. The first part of the hike is of moderate difficulty level and for those looking for a more strenuous option can continue the hike from the bridge to the top of the waterfall, which is about 3 miles long and would take 3 hours more to reach the top. This second part of the trail is included in the strenuous level of difficulty.

McGurk Meadow, Bridalveil Creek and Dewey Point trail starts from McGurk Meadow and leads downhill towards a large meadow. From there if you continue towards east you reach Bridalveil Creek which is 4 miles long and takes about 2 to 3 hours or if you take the route towards the west from the meadow you will reach Dewey Point, which is 7 miles long and the roundtrip takes approx. 3 to 5 hours. This particular hiking trail lets you enjoy spectacular views of the western Yosemite Valley, however due to its moderate level of difficulty; it is advisable only experienced hikers should try this out.

For a light and an easy stroll the Wawona Meadow Loop is just perfect as it takes you along the paved road through the golf course and along the Wawona Meadow. The roundtrip distance is about 3.5 miles and it takes about 1 to 2 hours to cover it. If you are looking for a little more strenuous hike, then opt for the Swinging Bridge Loop that starts at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center and winds its way upstream to the end of the paved road and a dirt road before reaching the Swinging Bridge. Once you cross the bridge, continue on the dirt road to get on to the paved Chilnualna Falls Road and this particular road leads you all the way to the top of the Chilnualna Falls. The Swinging Bridge Loop is 5 miles long and the roundtrip hike takes about 2 hours while the Chilnualna Fall hike is 8.2 miles long and takes about 5 to 6 hours to complete.

The Wawona to Mariposa Grove trail starts from the Wawona Hotel and the uphill climb leads you to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. This hike is 6 miles long and takes nearly 3 hours to cover one way. During the months of April through September, you can also opt for the free shuttle bus from the Grove back to Wawona. Of moderate level, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is 6 miles in length in which you traverse through the various trails within the Grove. The trek starts from the Mariposa parking area and the trail beginning at the far end of the parking area leads you to the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree. If you continue going on this trail into the upper grove, you will reach the Wawona Point.

The northern section of the Redwood National Park offers you quite a few hiking trails among which the Stout Grove Trail is an easy half mile hike, while Mill Creek Trail and Little Bald Hills Trail are more challenging and strenuous ones. The Stout Grove lets you leisurely meander through the thick groves of redwoods on one side and the Smith River running along the other side. The Mill Creek Trail is a half-day hike through a redwood forest along the banks of the Mill Creek stream.

This particular hike is of moderate level and the roundtrip distance is about 5 miles and you can access this trail from the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park campground. For those looking for a bit more challenge can opt for the strenuous Little Bald Hills Trail, which takes you through the redwoods and prairie. The trailhead is situated off Howland Hill Road and 7.5 miles east of Crescent City and it practically takes the whole day to cover the roundtrip distance of 10 miles. The trail begins in the redwoods forest and steadily moves upwards to an elevation of 1,800 feet.

The middle area of the Redwoods National Park also features a couple of interesting trails that range from easy to strenuous on the difficulty scale. The Nature Loop Trail is an easy 1 mile hike through the redwoods that starts at the Mill Creek campground entrance station in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. You can satiate your inquisitiveness about the redwoods through the interpretive signs you’ll find along the way. The Hope Creek-Ten Taypo is a 4 mile hike that passes a creek and a streamside habitat before meandering into the thick of the redwood groves. The access point is from the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Yet another scenic hiking trail is the Damnation Creek, which offers a strenuous 4.5 mile hike for those ready to sweat it out. Descending 1,000 feet, this steep trail traverses through the dense brushwood and continues to steadily drop till it meets the ocean. It takes almost 3 hours or even more if you stop to capture all the panoramic vistas on the way.

The southern section as well boasts of a number of interesting trails including the Lady Bird Johnson Nature Loop, which is a 1 mile light stroll through the ridgetop redwoods. The Dolason Prairie hike is of moderate level and perfect for those looking to strain their limbs a bit more. It takes almost the whole day to cover the roundtrip distance of 10 miles. For a bit more strenuous hike, take the Miners Ridge/James Irvine trail, which follows an old route through the redwood forests and creeks before finally ending at the walls of Fern Canyon. This trail beings at the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center and takes practically the whole day to complete the roundtrip distance of 11 miles.