My daughter wants to go to California with a friend this summer for our vacation (we live on the east coast). We usually go to the Caribbean, but I wonder if there's a resort in California with swimmable beaches, pool, etc., that may be comparable. I've been to Calif. many times, but not for a beach vacation. For instance, is the Ritz at Half Moon Bay on a swimmable beach?

Thanks for any help!

Teresa

The cool Pacific waters may be a bit cool for swimming except in late summer (I don't mind it myself), but I'm thinking that you might enjoy some of the resorts in Orange County or even down in San Diego County.

The Hyatt in Huntington Beach might meet all your criteria, as would the Surf and Sand in Laguna Beach or the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point. And the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego is a true treasure. I'd start by looking at these properties. Other posters will come up with good suggestions soon.

As mentioned, the Pacific is pretty chilly. I grew up swimming off Santa Cruz, so it doesn't seem too cold to me, but if you are used to the Caribbean, the water would probably be
shockingly cold.

Here are a couple choices in addition to those already mentioned:

Santa Cruz is a good option for a California beach vacation, although there aren't really any resorts like you would find in the Caribbean. It is a beach town with a Boardwalk, wharf, cool downtown, and plenty of surfers.

Pismo Beach is another good beach town. The beach is fairly wide and the water is a bit shallow so it warms up more than a lot of places.

nothing comparable here! I live in southern Cal., and the only time I go in the water is in Mexico, where it's warm ! (But my teenage kids and husband swim in it all the time, so I guess it's not so bad!) But northern Ca. be pretty chilly.

Here's a vote for Torrey Pines.

While the CA waters may be cooler than the Caribbean, a person could wear a spring suit AKA : short-sleeved, short-legged 3mm(?) thick wetsuit.