California beaches with "warm" water
 

We're interested in a family-oriented beach location somewhere between the central coast of California south to the San Diego area where the water temps are warm enough to swim comfortably. In the past, we've gone to Cayucos, which is a great sleepy little beach town, but the water is rather chilly. Any suggestions? Any thoughts about Santa Barbara, Carlsbad, San Clemente, Solana Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea?

Not sure where you are traveling from, but I grew up in Florida and lived in Southern CA for 2 years. I never ONCE went in the water-always too cold for me! If you are used to the Atlantic, the Pacific is much colder, even in SoCal! Of course, Hawaii has warm water....

There are no warm waters off California in my opinion.<BR>Nothing like FL or the Caribbean.

The water off San Diego during the weather phenomena "El Nino" was unusually warm. One summer I swimmed there and found the water temp more than bearable. They say "El Nino" is picking up again. You should hope so because thats the only way Southern California water will ever be warm enough to really enjoy swimming in.

Do like the locals do invest in a wet suit. But really unless you are avid surfers I wouldn't recommend "swimming" in the Pacific. Not only cold but water is churning and much more different than east coast.

The only warm water is that flowing from the sewer pipe.

Have lived within 45 min. of Santa Cruz for 28 years and have never once been in the Pacific above my ankles. Too cold!

Mike,<BR>I've lived in So. Cal all my life and while the water isn't ever what I would consider warm, if you come between about July - September, the water is comfortable enough to swim in. I've been living in San Diego for 15 years and there are always tons of people swimming at that time. During the rest of the year, you will definitely see only the surfers in wetsuits along with the occasional tourist with chattering teeth. Good luck with your search. <BR>Sandy

Is there some geography-trivia maven out there who can tell me which current it is that's responsible for keeping the Calif. waters cold? I knew in 6th grade but that was a very long time ago.

I think its the Humboldt current. It originates off of Japan, goes clockwise by Alaska and down the Canadian coast, picking up chilly water all the way.

spent 12 years in san diego and only swam in the water maybe 20 times. however, there are always tons of kids in the water during the summer months. it's comfortable to go up to your waste and cool off but most adults don't go "swimming". all the towns you mentioned are nice although i wouldn't choose solana beach.

Lisa,<BR>The Humboldt Current runs up the west coast of South America from Antarctica, and keeps the water quite cold (approx. 50 degrees F when I was there). I sdon't think this current affects California.<BR><BR>Mike,<BR>In my experience, the San Diego area was the only place that I found "warm" water in California, although I still went swimming in the L.A. area many times, and it was OK (just not warm).

To Current:<BR>I suppose you haven't travelled much, and only god knows how you know about the sewer pipes only being warm. i was in pv once on the west side in august and i've never swam in such warm water, had to get out just to cool off.

I've lived in Southern Cal all my life and swim in the ocean all summer long. my kids surf w/out a wetsuit during the summer. The ocean in Santa Barbara is a little colder than south.I live in San Clemente and the ocean is fantastic right now. You can't go wrong with the other beaches you mentioned. They are all great beach towns that give you the so. cal surf feeling.

The water near the San Onofre nuclear power plant is pretty warm! As I recall, there are campsites on the beach and the surfing is good there. Gotta wonder about that warm water though...

The water is cold when you first go in, but your body becomes accustomed to it awfully fast. Take a walk on the beach, go in to your knees, get used to it, plunge in and you'll be fine.

Diana's got it right. Just a matter of getting used to it. I swim at Long Beach off the Coast of British Colombia and its cool just for a minute. Take a quick plunge and swim hard for 30 seconds and its great.<BR>Have Fun

That's what my dentist told me about my last root canal....it's only bad for the first minute or two.

Agree with the above two posters. I haven't swam in the ocean since I was a teenager (about 15 years) but when I did, I just jumped in. It was always a loud scream, followed by "oh, this isn't bad..."<BR><BR>Manhattan Beach in the South Bay is where I did my swimming. The sand is soft there, which is nice. Be sure to swim in between the two neon orange flags posted by the lifeguard stand, in case you need help!

I grew up in Pensacola Florida, lived in Huntington Beach Cal. for 6 years and now live right by the beach in Chicago (Lake Michigan). Maybe its because I'm a Florida girl at heart but I could never bring myself to swim in the Pacific when I lived in California. My limit was sticking my toes in to cool off, but many people DID swim in it in the height of summer. Same phenom here in Chicago. The beaches of LAke Michigan are way too cold for me but there are literally thousands of people who do swim in it every weekend. Just look at Oak Street Beach on a Saturday afternoon. Some people can jsut tolerate the cooler water better. I personally like my water at least 70 degrees snf usually warmer and I doubt you will find that kind of temp in Southern Cal.