I'm living in Boulder, Colorado currently and loving it. But 2011 may find me back in California and this time in the south. Where are the good towns in southern coastal California? I come from Santa Cruz, so a community with the arts and not too much of the plastic, strip mall type environment would be ideal and relatively easy access to climbing is imperative. Does this even exist? What about Encinitis? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Oxnard...... Look up "Hollywood by the Sea"...... last place you can buy "on the sand" in CA for less than $1,000,000. ....

Hope to see you soon.

Santa Monica. Access to the city and jobs, but still keeps the beach vibe. 3.5 hour drive to the eastern sierra, access to Baldy, Big Bear, stony point, etc.

Zuma

Imperial Beach in San Diego, CA. It's as far south as you can get but you won't find a better value in SoCal. I believe waterfront condo's in the 300-500k's. Houses three blocks from the sand in the 250-450k range.

Thank you all for those ideas. It seems I have quite a few places to check out. Proximity to the east side is key, not being more than 6 hours drive away preferably. I realize you cannot have it all though, so whatever town feels right will be it.

And Guy, I will see you soon if you come out to Joshua Tree with Jeff next time!

Guyzo wrote:Oxnard...... Look up "Hollywood by the Sea"...... last place you can buy "on the sand" in CA for less than $1,000,000. ....

Hope to see you soon.

Just don't try to surf there as the locals can be "difficult".

Michele wrote:Thank you all for those ideas. It seems I have quite a few places to check out. Proximity to the east side is key, not being more than 6 hours drive away preferably. I realize you cannot have it all though, so whatever town feels right will be it.

And Guy, I will see you soon if you come out to Joshua Tree with Jeff next time!

That depends on what part of the east side you are refering to. Lone pine is 4-4.5h from San Diego after the rush hour ends

It's not right on the Sea, but my folks live in Temecula. 45 min from the ocean. 1 hour from Idylwild and 5 hours to the east side. As far as local climbing, there is a lot of undeveloped bouldering and single pitch trad. It only gets climbed buy a few locals. It is definitely a bit cookie-cutter though. Lots of shopping centers and such.

OC - Dana Point, Laguna, Newport, Seal Beach

If you don't want the "plastic, strip mall type environment" then stay away from Orange County! Laguna Beach is an exception and is near some small parks, but it isn't anywhere near climbing that I know of and the drive to the Eastern Sierra will be long.

LA - Redondo, Manhattan, Marina del Rey, Palisades, Malibu

The only "climbing" anywhere near Redondo and Manhattan Beaches are the piles of rocks on the breakwaters. Great practice for your next class 2 talus slog... They're nice towns, but painfully far from anything resembling a mountain.

In LA County, I agree that Santa Monica is worth considering, as the drive to the Eastern Sierra is shorter, it has some arts, and there's some climbing in the Santa Monica Mts.

You can get much better access to climbing and mountains if you relax the coastal requirement.

ClimbandBike wrote:

Guyzo wrote:Oxnard...... Look up "Hollywood by the Sea"...... last place you can buy "on the sand" in CA for less than $1,000,000. ....

Hope to see you soon.

Just don't try to surf there as the locals can be "difficult".

She would be a welcome "local" I am sure.

M. - Hope to see you soon. 2

Guyzo wrote:

ClimbandBike wrote:

Guyzo wrote:Oxnard...... Look up "Hollywood by the Sea"...... last place you can buy "on the sand" in CA for less than $1,000,000. ....

Just don't try to surf there as the locals can be "difficult".

She would be a welcome "local" I am sure.

Good point. Can I tag along when you go? My rugged good looks and boyish charm hasn't won anyone over yet.

I like Huntington Beach. Far enough north but still in the relative calm of Orange County. Nice big access roads and little traffic on the surface streets. The freeways are almost always clear as well outside of rush hour. I really can't deal with all the traffic around the LA / Santa Monica area; my tolerance is way too low.

surfnturf wrote:I live in Santa Monica now and I can't stand it (in the process of getting out). I have a 6 mile commute to work and it takes me an hour!

Ride a bike.

I can't stand Santa Monica either. What a mess!!