A friend and I will be visiting my son in SF in August. When we were there in April we drove to Monterey and noticed some gorgeous beaches in the Santa Cruz area as we drove back to the city. Are those good options for swimming in August, having never been there before?

My kids did swim in Santa Cruz area, but if you don't want to drive that far, check out Alameda.

Santa Cruz is a great option. The water is cold, but there are some good beaches.

If you want beaches close to things, I would choose Capitola Beach (at Capitola Village) or the beach at the Boardwalk. If you want more beach and less stuff, Seabright beach, Twin Lakes, and New Brighton are good. Seacliff beach is also good - there is a paved walking path along the sand.

In August, the weather is variable - there is a tug-of-war between the cool marine air and the hot inland air, which results in fog along the coast. Usually it burns off late morning and then rolls back in late afternoon or evenning. Because of this, it is rare that Santa Cruz gets really hot temperatures in August - or anywhere along the coast really.

Swimming in the ocean at any Northern Californa beaches is for the hardy of soul. The water is very cold. Young kids don't seem to mind playing in the waves, but adults find swimming a little uncomfortable.

We used to swim at Stinson Beach (just north of SF). It was cold but we didn't die.

I've visited a few San Francisco area beaches in the summertime. While the beaches were full of people, I never saw anyone swimming -- the water's extremely cold.

With the exception of the China Beach, if it's still opened.

I haven't swam in the northern or Central CA coast water since I was 19. It's pretty darn chilly!

Yikes, sounds like swimming is out. I like my water bathwater warm. Thanks!

Are you a polar bear? The water is COLD.