SeeCalifornia.com

Pictured is a late afternoon beach scene near Pacifica Pier.  Pacifica, Calif. is known for its annual Pacific Coast Fog Fest (pacificcoastfogfest.com) that takes place this year on September 29-30, 2012.  They celebrate fog because they get lots of it!

California beaches aren’t unique–they’re just like any other place. People come to the beach with the same motivations as others do around the world. People want sunshine, soft sand, splashing water sounds and a chance to lie down and relax.

What we lack in alligators, mosquitoes and humidity that our East Coast counterparts enjoy doesn’t cause us to brag, however. In fact, Floridians, especially, like to complain when they visit California beaches, saying the water is too cold. With ocean temperatures that peak around 72  degrees (can reach 76) in Southern California and maybe 65 degrees in Northern California, it doesn’t seem to stop us from enjoying ourselves. No one has ever gotten hypothermia from a normal day at a California beach.

That same mild ocean temp creates some of the best wine growing conditions in Temecula, Santa Maria Valley, Pismo Beach,  Paso Robles and parts of  Napa Valley’s Viticultural Area, the Carneros region. It is cooled by marine breezes that sweep through the Golden Gate and across San Pablo Bay. Further north in Sonoma and Mendocino County you’ll find that same Pacific Ocean breeze creates the perfect climate for inland wine grapes that garner award-winning wines.

Enjoy the guilt-free sunshine and days of summer while they last. And for those who have flexible schedules, be sure to visit the beach after school starts up. September – October are really the peak months weather-wise for many beaches from San Diego to Santa Cruz. Enjoy!