We've never been to California, other than LA and San Francisco. We are looking for a great place next March that has an ocean close by. We're looking for a family vacation with small children, nice pools and ocean type of vacation but not in a hugely populated area.I've looked on line to see Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa and Santa Maria and am wondering what those spots could offer us in terms of the vacation we're looking for. Thanks you

Not sure about the three you mentioned, but two others you may want to look into are Coronado Island (a ferry ride from San Diego) and La Jolla (a little ways north of San Diego).

March???

You do realize that there is a very high chance of you NOT having beach weather.

You don't have to worry about beach crowds in March.

Your best bet is probably San Diego, La Jolla, or Carlsbad area.

With little kids and a beach nearby - San Diego. Coronado and La Jolla are within the Greater San Diego area.

There's so much for kids to see and do: the Zoo, Seaworld, all the different museums in Balboa Park, playing on the beach - they and you will have a blast!

Enjoy!

Santa Rosa is a city north of San Francisco. Not a good beach area for you. Perhaps there is a "Santa Rosa" beach south of San Jose somewhere that I don't know of, though.

The best beaches are in the Los Angeles/San Diego areas. Coronado Island is wonderful. Santa Barbara is the next best choice.

If you are in the SF area during the summer, there are nice beaches near Santa Cruz. But if beach is your main direction - head south.

Go to wunderground.com and use their trip planner. YOu'll see March is generally not swimming weather.

The water is too cold in all of California for swimming in March. Just so you know.

Carpinteria is nice and low key. Short driving distance to Santa Barbara.

You say "not in a hugely populated area" and San Diego is hugely populated. But it really fits your needs best.

You want "an ocean". Will the Pacific do, or did you have another one in mind? LOL? As has been mentioned, the ocean water will be very cold (50sF)in March. You can still play on the beach though.

The air temperature in March is also not very warm. Expect low-mid 60sF. Occasional warmer days are a treat, not the norm at that time of year, and it can rain in March.

For clarifiction once again, La Jolla is part of the city of San Diego, not "a little ways north".