When I was a kid in the Midwest, I only had access to cheap, rubber flip flops. I wore them during the summer months, but couldn’t wear them to school, or in the winter cold and snow. For someone with feet that didn’t fit the mold, this open shoe provided so much relief for my feet that I dreaded winter’s return.

At California’s beaches, people wear their flip flops all year long. It is one more thing we love about living in an amazing climate that changes only a few degrees throughout the seasons. I alternate my favorite flip flop shoes with tennis shoes–and my preferred flip flops are made by Crocs. They were built well , which may attribute to the company’s financial woes. The shoes are comfortable, amazingly sturdy, and I’ve worn them daily for several years–the same pair! When Crocs sponsored the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tournaments held at California’s beaches, they introduced a bright yellow Crocs flip flop shoe to match the logo design of the event.

With mellow weather and casual attire in the workplace, at weddings, churches and nearly every place you go, flip flops have been stylized to fit those many occasions that require an extra buckle or sequin. At Nordstroms you can buy flip flops for evening dress up, or you can purchase affordable flip flops for the kids at Walmart, KMart and Target where you can pay as low as a few dollars.

When you pack your belongings to visit Southern California beaches, bring your flips flops.  You can’t go wrong with a shoe that fits in your luggage, and is acceptable most anywhere you go. If you need new threads, put flip flop sandals on your list of items to shop for in California. Nearly every beach store has them.

Here is a summary of current beach water quality conditions during November 2009:

While only one or two California beaches dropped off the “F” list for water quality this past week, the closure of Alameda beaches due to an oil spill from Dubai Star oil tanker was an additional set back.

ALAMEDA COUNTY BEACH CLOSURES:

• Crown Beach 2001 Shoreline Dr.
• Crown Beach Bath House
• Crown Beach Bird Sanctuary
• Crown Beach Sunset Rd.
• Crown Beach Windsurfer Corner
• Encinal Beach north
• Encinal Beach south

F grades came to 30 California beaches this week with a warning that you should not swim in these waters. Doing so could make you sick. If you should not heed warnings, do be sure not to get water into your eyes, ears, and any open wounds or sores. Wash off thorougly after exposing yourself to these beach water sources below:

LOS ANGELES COUNTY BEACHES “F” GRADES

• Avalon Beach- btw. Pier & Busy Bee (1/3 distance)
• Avalon Beach- btw. Pier & Busy Bee Rest (2/3 distance)
• Colorado Lagoon, south
• Marina del Rey, Mothers’ Beach - playground area
• Redondo Municipal Pier - south side
• Santa Monica Municipal Pier
• Solstice Canyon at Dan Blocker County Beach
• Venice Beach at Windward Ave. drain

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY “F” GRADES

• Cowell Beach west edge of Dream Inn
• Cowell Beach, west of the wharf
• Main Beach Lifeguard Tower 2
• Rio Del Mar Beach
• Santa Cruz Main Beach at the Wharf

ORANGE COUNTY BEACHES “F” GRADES

• Dana Point- Doheny Beach, north of San Juan Creek
• Dana Point- San Juan Creek, ocean interface
• Doheny Beach - 3000′ south of outfall
• San Clemente - Poche Beach

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY BEACHES “F” GRADES

• Cabrillo Beach - harborside at restrooms
• Candlestick Point, Sunnydale Cove
• Candlestick Point, Windsurfer Circle

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BEACHES “F” GRADES

• Gaviota State Beach at Canada de las Cruces
• Jalama Beach at Jalama Creek

MONTEREY COUNTY BEACHES “F” GRADES

• Monterey Municipal Beach (at the commercial wharf)
• Stillwater Cove, at Beach and Tennis Club

MENDOCINO COUNTY BEACHES “F” GRADES

• Hare Creek

SAN DIEGO COUNTY BEACHES “F” GRADES

• Mission Bay, Visitor’s Center - proj. of Clairemont

MARIN COUNTY BEACHES “F” GRADES

• Stinson Beach, South

HUMBOLDT COUNTY BEACHES “F” GRADES

• Moonstone County Park (Little River State Beach)

SAN MATEO COUNTY “F” GRADES

• Rockaway Beach at Calera Creek

Balboa Island, California–Thanks to a new committee of volunteers at the Balboa Island Historical Museum, the region is on its way to expertly preserving photos, newspaper articles, and important artifacts of the man-made island’s history, one document at a time. The museum overlooking the Newport Harbor recently funded archival materials and has begun the process of cataloguing and protecting its growing collection that provides a glimpse into the island’s history.

The Archive Committee meets every other week to organize and place documents and photos into archival …read more

Council member, Cathy Green, favored increasing rates to this amount, while others disagreed. Due to economic conditions and a recession, most council members expressed their concern, and voted against city staff recommenation to create two separate parking passes for residents at nearly $100 extra.  They also voted against removing parking validations programs offered by merchants downtown in which customers currently may receive stamped validations in return for spending money in particular stores and restaurants. Downtown merchants will have to pay a lot more for their employee parking now as those rates went from 50 cents per hour to $2 an hour.

In the study presented by Huntington Beach City staff, Huntington Beach was compared to cities such as Laguna Beach and Newport Beach which they said have higher fees.  HB, a  beach destination which receives over 11 million visitors each year, should be charging more money to residents and tourists alike, they advised. Saying that the city rates weren’t in alignment with even the two state operated beaches in the city that now charge $15 flat rate per day (beginning in August 2009, ) they pointed to demand for parking, and observation that visitors seem willing to pay the amount, even on special days such as the 4th of July when the rates can tap out even higher.

Not everyone was overjoyed with the vote and decision to raise rates. Many downtown merchants and residents are hurting during the recession, and additional fees are not welcomed in financially challenging times.

News channels have announced that there’s a flat fee for overnight parking at $5 in Huntington Beach. While parking at downtown Huntington Beach will become a $5 flat fee after 9 p.m., city parking lots usually close each night.

San Luis Obispo County offers classic California’s Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, Morro Bay, Cayucos, San Simeon and Cambria. Heading north, the Big Sur coast offers many beaches that are hidden coves at the base of mountains and cliffs and some great camping spots. Finally, the Central Coast finishes off with the spectacular Monterey County beaches in Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Seaside, and Sand City.

We’ve left some of the beach names out, but you soon realize the Central Coast beaches are one of California’s top vacations and treasures to be enjoyed. Have fun exploring its beaches and its wines. Hand in hand, they are fine!

A dog, bear, eagle and griffin are all that remain of the original gargoyles which were bludgeoned by the residents of the building who couldn’t stand having their ocean views blocked.  They took sledge hammers and began whacking away at the ornamental treatments till most the gargoyles were demolished.

An historical committee of the homeowners association restored the few gargoyles and refurbished the building exterior in 2007. While that committee has considered re-creating and adding gargoyles to the Villa Riviera once again, the current configuration that has been in place for decades offers one of the most fascinating architectural points of interest in a city with strict guidelines for its downtown buildings deemed of historical significance.

Overlooking the streets of Long Beach where the annual Grand Prix takes place, once an 11 story banner for a liquor beverage appeared on the side of the Riviera building as an advertisement targeting attendees of the car race event. The city threatened legal action if the banner wasn’t removed immediately, and it was.

The building itself has offered a glimpse into history, when several years back some of the residents discovered secret wall passages hiding artifacts of the Prohibition. In its tower which once offered the best vistas in all of Los Angeles second only to L.A. City Hall, military guards kept watch during WWII for enemy attacks.

Long Beach’s historic buildings are protected and preserved thanks to incredible documentation that honors their past with guidelines for colors of paint and modifications that are permitted structurally for buildings that are around 75 to 100 years old. While that may seem young to the rest of the world, in California where earthquake abound, such structures are looked at as pieces of history adding relief from boring stucco- Mediterranean buildings with their white wash and red tile roofs.  Location: 800 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA. How much does it cost to buy a piece of paradise in this building? Villa Riviera condo prices currently seem to be in the $250,000 to $400,000 range.

The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau has compiled a list of some of the Bay Area’s largest annual running,  biking, swimming and walking events.

February

Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half-Marathon & 5K
Golden Gate Park
xnet.kp.org
More than 10,000 runners raise funds for the Koret Family House, Support For Families With Disabilities, and others.

March

Emerald Across the Bay 12K
Sausalito to San Francisco - across the Golden Gate Bridge
rhodyco.com
Nearly 5,000 will run the 12K championship for the Pacific Association of USA’s $4,500 prize money. The run benefits the Edgewood Center for Children & Families

May

ING Bay to Breakers
The Embarcadero to the Great Highway.
ingbaytobreakers.com
Since 1912 tens of thousands of people have gathered in San Francisco to see the world’s largest footrace unfold as more than 70,000 costume-clad runners and walkers push off at 8 am.

Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon
Marina Green
escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com
The 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz , 18-mile bike ride and eight-mile run through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area with a finish at Marina Green draws some 2,000 triathletes/relay teams annually.

July

San Francisco Marathon, Half Marathon , 5K Run/Walk
Ferry Building, The Embarcadero
runsfm.com
Enjoy the amazing city of San Francisco by taking part in one of the world’s great marathons. The USAT&F Certified course is a “best of San Francisco ” tour and includes a loop over the Golden Gate Bridge . Choose from running the marathon, half marathon, progressive marathon or 5K run/walk races.

October

Glide Floss Bridge to Bridge 12K & 7K
Embarcadero to the Marina
bridgetobridge.com
Since 1972, 6,000 runners and walkers have enjoyed a route that  Sports Illustrated dubbed ” America ’s Most Beautiful.” The run benefits the Northern California Special Olympics.

Nike Women’s Marathon
Union Square to the Great Highway
inside.nike.com
The Nike Women’s Marathon recognizes and awards the top three female runners to cross the finish line in both the full and half marathons.

November

Turkey Trail Trot
Golden Gate Park
turkeytrailtrot.com
This invigorating fun run or walk has become a popular Thanksgiving Day tradition.

Run Wild for a Child 5K & 10K
Golden Gate Park
rhodyco.com/runwild.html
During the end of November, 6,000 runners and walkers walk off Thanksgiving calories to benefit the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program.

Sunset Beach, California– SAVE SUNSET BEACH, by donating to Incorporation Fund, mail checks to: Sunset Beach Community Association, PO Box 215, Sunset Beach, CA 90742

The county region of Sunset Beach, a one mile stretch of coastline in north Orange County between Seal Beach and Huntington Beach, seeks help in forming its own city so that it can keep its old-fashioned charm, its name, and its independent ways. This is a town where volunteer firemen fight fires in the city…where the town’s biggest fundraisers such as the Fireman’s Ball this weekend helps to support their local firefighting heroes, and where annual picnics and parades are traditions.

When the County of Orange recently announced that the unincorporated town of Sunset Beach would be removed from County services and placed in a sphere of influence of Huntington Beach, many townsfolk in the Sunset Beach Community Association were really upset. “This not the kind of place we want to become,” said Pat Thies, who hopes that Sunset Beach can raise enough money to become Orange County’s 35th city.

Huntington Beach just celebrated its 100th birthday in 2009, but Sunset Beach has been around even longer, celebrating 100 years in 2004.

Greg Griffin, the president of the Sunset Beach Commnity Association asks that you help Sunset Beach live its dream, keep its name, maintain the fun-loving atmosphere with famous roadhouses such as Harbor House Cafe, Woody’s Diner, Turc’s, Mother’s Bar (that appeared in the show Peter Gunn,) Irish Mist, J. King Neptune’s, Captain Jack’s, Harpoon Harry’s, Taco Surf,  and countless other places that offer great food among friends, and live entertainment.

To contribute to keeping the most beautiful name in California’s beach communities, a descriptive “Sunset” that captures the minds and hearts of those who visit and see its world-famous sunset vistas overlooking Catalina Island, Long Beach, and South Bay’s San Pedro, please pitch in and give this town a chance of fulfilling its dream. Thanks from
Greg Griffin, and all who strive to preserve the historic culture of California’s remaining old-fashioned beach towns.

Send donations (even a dollar or two will help) to:

Sunset Beach Community Association

P.O. Box 215, Sunset Beach, California  90742.

Please mark “Incorporation Fund” on the check.

Santa Monica is Southern California’s preferred beach destination for those hopping off the plane at Burbank Airport or LAX, and seeking to immerse themselves in the Los Angeles / Hollywood vibe. While there are several hotels on the beach or on the ocean-side of Ocean Blvd. that runs parallel to the beach in Santa Monica, some of the finest hotels I have discovered through time include the beautiful, historic Huntley. One day I dropped by for a luncheon on the top floor Penthouse restaurant and was treated to the most amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Los Angeles. I had never seen these vistas and they made my lunch date so incredibly special, I now long to go stay at The Huntley and try out the rooms, even though I live no more than 30 miles distance.

For lunch we sampled some special wines and began our meal with a Small Plate of Crab Cakes served with Granny Smith Apples and Mustard Butter. Light, slightly crispy, and moist inside with rich bits of crab make these an excellent starter or evening appetizer with cocktails and sunset ocean views. We next ordered the affordable Market Green Salad with a wonderfully light Lemon Vinaigrette, and shaved Pecorino, plus Hearts of Palm.  The main dish I ordered was a tasty Crispy Skin Grilled Salmon cooked to perfection. If money’s a concern, this may put you over the top with a price tag of  around $22, but it definitely was worth the joy of eating a healthy fish cooked so much better than my own kitchen efforts. Desserts are sinful and to any diet. But if you leave without at least sharing a dessert such as the Banana Bread Pudding with a beautifully shaped spoonful of Burnt Caramel Ice Cream that I tried, you will have missed the prize.

When I added up my bill, it was still slightly less than a room night at The Huntley, which will be my next treat to myself during this autumn / winter season (I actually found rooms for $169/night.) The Santa Monica Pier, 3rd Street Promenade, shopping, and historic buildings and art tours, plus the Getty and Hollywood are all nearby. Location: The Huntley Hotel Santa Monica Beach - 1111 Second Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403