If you live on the East Coast or Midwest, you deserve a pat on the back for all the firewood chopping and driveway shoveling you’ve endured the past few months.
Winter is coming to a close, but there are a few California beach destinations where spring has already sprung, so why wait?
There’s no wrong time to take a vacation, but any excuse to swap frigid snow for Vitamin D is well worth exploring.
Of course, California is known to be one of America’s sunniest states, especially the Southern region, which boasts world-class beaches and consistent 70-degree days throughout the year.
If that sounds like just what the doctor ordered, check out these 3 California beach getaways where spring has already sprung:
San Diego
Starting south and working our way north, take it from me, a San Diego resident; springtime has arrived in SoCal’s prettiest city.
San Diego County has 70 miles of coastline, encompassing the city itself and a cluster of paradisal beach towns tourists often skip over.
With the help of American Airlines now operating out of nearby Carlsbad, travelers have easier access to explore the beach towns of Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Encinitas – all typically less crowded than the touristy beaches of San Diego’s popular Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and even Coronado.
Of course, you can’t skip Balboa Park either, home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo and numerous ornate Colonial structures that feel like a trip back in time to Mexico’s golden age.
There’s never a dull moment in San Diego unless you want to be in your own slice of paradise on a quiet stretch of beach, which you can often find in Imperial Beach, Solana Beach, and even La Jolla, despite being named one of the top beaches in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.
San Diego’s average high temperature through spring:
February: 67°F
March: 67 °F
April: 69 °F
May: 69 °F
Laguna Beach
Orange County’s most notable claim to fame is undoubtedly Disneyland, but if overwhelming crowds and screaming kids aren’t your jam, find a postcard-perfect paradise just down the road in Laguna Beach.
Laguna Beach is a ritzy town tucked away from Irvine, Santa Ana, and Anaheim. Here, you’ll find quintessential SoCal with Baywatch-esque lifeguards, bleach-blonde surfers, and the constant sound of skateboards clacking in the distance.
The beaches here are pristine, and spring is one of the best times to visit before the hordes of summer vacationers invade the golden shores.
Numerous oceanfront resorts and high-end shops are located around town, making it an awesome getaway for all ages.
Laguna Beach can be a bit pricey, but don’t worry! Check out my hack here to save money.
Laguna Beach’s average high temperature through spring:
February: 69 °F
March: 70 °F
April: 72 °F
May 73 °F
Oxnard
Truth be told, I’d love to say Malibu is one of the best beach escapes this spring, but due to the recent fire that ravaged a Manhattan-sized chunk out of LA, it’s just not in the cards right now.
In fact, it’s debatable if LA is worth visiting at all, with up-and-down reports of crime spikes and now unsafe waters filled with waste from the fires in some areas.
North of LA lies Oxnard, a beautiful beach city that doesn’t get enough hype. If Santa Monica’s crowds aren’t your jam, a trip to Oxnard’s uncrowded shores is well worth it.
Oddly enough, Oxnard is home to Hollywood Beach, but it’s anything but the bright lights of Hollywood.
Backdropped by staggering mountains, there’s no other place quite as scenic in this region of SoCal. Compared to LA, Laguna Beach, and San Diego, Oxnard is definitely the most affordable.
The waters are vivid shades of blue and green and even more enhanced if you venture off to the free-to-enter Channel Islands National Park just offshore, and one of the best places in America to witness a superbloom of wildflowers come spring.
The park is easily reachable by ferry and is also great for whale-watching excursions.
Oxnard’s average high temperature through spring:
February: 66 °F
March: 67 °F
April: 68 °F
May: 69 °F
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
