“She sells sea-shells on the sea-shore. The shells she sells are sea-shells, I'm sure. For if she sells sea-shells on the sea-shore, then I'm sure she sells sea-shore shells.”
This silly tongue-twister has been one of my favorite rhymes since childhood, and also serves as the model of one of my dream jobs. I’m still trying to figure out how to make a living as a full-time beach bum… I feel very blessed to call the coast of Southern California my home, and in the past few years I've figured out ways to bring my work to the beach as often as possible. We’re incredibly lucky here on the West Coast to be enjoying a beautiful early spring, but if you’re still staring down the effects of winter and would like to get a jump start on your summer planning, here are a few of my favorite beachside activities to have you enjoying the sea and sand…
STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING (SUP)
Have you been down to the beach lately and noticed people standing up on really big surfboards, paddling around, and wondered what on earth they were doing? Resurrected by famed big-wave riders Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama, Stand Up Paddling (S.U.P. for short) is an emerging global water sport with a Hawaiian heritage, and it’s here to stay. SUPing offers a full-body ‘core’ workout like you wouldn’t believe. And, even better, you’re on the water! Stand up paddling can be done on practically any body of water: a lake, river, stream, fish pond, wave pool...you name it, you can SUP it.
SUP YOGA
You guessed it! Take the concept of our first suggestion and just add some downward dog and warrior poses! “Sun salutation” will take on a whole new meaning for you while practicing under the open sky as lapping waves below your Stand Up Paddleboard provide relaxing acoustics. Keep your eyes open during bridge pose to get an extremely rare view of the water above and the sky below!
COASTAL HIKING
A coastal hike that mixes big ocean views and a chance to explore tide pools makes for a perfect day. Throw in a shipwreck, and it’s officially a home run. Malaga Cove Trail in Palos Verdes Estates delivers
all these goods without getting reckless. As you head out on this amazing trail, veer left toward the bluffs
and rock-hop to tide pools (best at low tide) scattered along the teal water’s edge. Scramble over
cannonball-size boulders on the shoreline as the bluffs curve back inland, and take in the marvelous view
that sweeps from the Santa Monica Mountains out to Santa Monica Bay, with the Channel Islands on the
horizon. After a mile, round Flat Rock Point into Bluff Cove and look south to protruding Rocky Point. At
its base lie the scattered remnants of the Dominator, an ill-fated Greek freighter that ran aground here in
1961. Low tides and binoculars will bring the shipwreck into better view. To get closer to it you can
continue on, but the footing gets riskier and this short distance has already paid out the hike’s best
highlights. Make sure to check a tide table before you hit out so that you can hit the tide pools at a low tide.
SHARK ATTACK
If your brain starts playing the Jaws theme the second you hear the word “shark,” just take a deep breath.
Snorkeling with leopard sharks at La Jolla Shores is closer to Finding Nemo. Leopard sharks are the real
deal, measuring six feet long, but their tiny mouths are only two inches across (designed for bottom
feeding), which greatly reduces their potential for the big bite. Starting in late spring and with peak
numbers through September, leopard sharks hang out in the warm, calm shallows of La Jolla Shores, to
help incubate their young. Even if you just wade in, you can get a look, but snorkeling is the best way to
observe these beauties. The best place to view Leopard Sharks is toward the southern end of La Jolla
Shores beach. Snorkel gear rentals are available from several local companies, including Hike Bike Kayak,
which also conducts 90-minute guided tours ($30) to see the sharks.
Hope you enjoy all of these salty activities...go out there and have fun, get wet, and stay stoked!
Xo,
Zo
