#32 Point Vicente Lighthouse
Point Vicente Lighthouse is one of the crown jewels of Rancho Palos Verdes. On the National Register of Historic Places, this Lighthouse was built in 1926 to help guide ships as they sail the ever-changing California coast. Standing 130 feet on a cliff above the ocean, it was first operated by the United States Lighthouse Service which merged into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939. The Lighthouse was manned until 1971 where it continues to function as an electronic aids-to-navigation monitoring system.
#28 Oceanside Harbor
Oceanside Harbor outside of San Diego is known as one of the friendliest harbors in the world. The village along the harbor features shops and restaurants as well a picturesque lighthouse. Oceanside Harbor makes for a peaceful stroll anytime of day but the sunsets are equally spectacular.
#24 Elfin Forest
The Elfin Forest is a peaceful nature preserve in Los Osos on the Central Coast. Located along beautiful Morro Bay, the forest protects 90 acres and more than 200 plants, 22 mammals, 13 reptiles & amphibians and over 100 species of birds. The pygmy oak woodland, chaparral, marsh and manzanita plant communities all come together to reveal what the Coast of California is actually supposed to look like.
#21 Ocean Beach
The year was 1966...in fact the year is still 1966...that is here in Ocean Beach. Time seems to have stopped in this lazy beach neighborhood. The Municipal Pier is the longest concrete pier on the west coast measuring 1,971 feet. It is also open 24 hours a day. Antique shops and restaurants surround the streets near the pier. O.B. epitomizes the SoCal beach town life on the pacific. Visit to travel back fifty years when life was simpler and more laid back.
#17 Ventura Pier
Ventura Pier is one of my happy places. You can feel the history as you walk the wooden planks with signs depicting the natural history of the area. Originally built in 1872, the pier has had many lives from agricultural and oil trade to modern day Central Coast tourism. The pier has always been and will always be a pier for the people. Everyone is welcome in Ventura and the sunsets are a bit of heaven.
#12 Santa Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island is a magnificent island off the coast of California. Part of the Channel Islands, it was first inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. The island has had many lives from hunting, smuggling & movies but was turned into a thriving tourist destination in the 20's by William Wrigley, Jr.
Catalina's main city Avalon is most definitely enchanted and photogenic. It is a city reminiscent of the Mediterranean and has a population of about 3,700. 88% of the island is now protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy. Whether you visit for the day or a week, Catalina Island is the place to relax and enjoy the sun.
#11 La Piedra State Beach
La Piedra State Beach is a beautiful secret beach in Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It is overshadowed by the popular El Matador State beach next door. La Piedra in Spanish means rock, a fitting name for this rocky shore. It is one of my favorite beaches ever because of its solitude as well as it was the first beach I explored when moving to California.
#9 Victoria Beach
Victoria Beach is a hidden cove in Laguna Beach of Orange County. The Iconic Victorian Lighthouse Tower is the famous landmark. It was built in 1926 by state senator William Brown so his family could reach the beach from their bluff-top home. This beach features a sandy stretch as well as crashing waves against the rocks which makes it a photographers dream.
#6 Dinosaur Caves Park
Dinosaur Caves Park is a bluff-top park in Pismo Beach. Along Highway One on California's Central Coast, this charming park offers stunning Ocean Vistas as well as a dinosaur themed playground. The rocky cliffs are a joy to the eye as the waves splash against the coast.
#3 RMS Queen Mary
The RMS Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner docked in the Port of Long Beach. It sailed the Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. Luxury & Opulence is the key to this Art Deco Dream. Queen Mary was the last great ocean liner built during the golden age of world travel. Elizabeth Taylor, Lucille Ball, Gloria Swanson & Fred Astaire among many other silver screen stars called this sailing palace home while on voyage to Europe.
During WWII, it was nicknamed the 'Grey Ghost' and transported 765,429 Military Personnel. It became the worlds largest and fastest troopship. Winston Churchill even considered it his headquarters at sea. In 1947, passenger service resumed. Modern amenities such as air conditioning were added but this would not prove to be enough as jet planes began to change the industry.
Queen Mary opened as a tourist attraction in 1971 and continues to delight today with a hotel, museum and restaurants. The ship in full can be explored at your leisure. It is even on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Historic Hotels of America. One visit to Queen Mary will have you longing for more. Are you ready to set sail?
