Take the Family to Dume Point Beach

Always in search of the best beach, my wife and I with kids-in-tow recently rolled over to this wonderful state beach. It has a sharper than usual slope to the water but provides a fun and dramatic surf for the kids to play in. Boogie boards dash the horizon. You may see an occasional sea lion and if your lucky a starlet strolling the sands.

With a car full of all the necessary toys, food and equipment the paid parking is perfect. For eight dollars, we were able to park right up to the edge of the sand within fifty feet of our claimed spot in the sand (dads read: not too much schlepping for me!) and this was on a Saturday. You can park for free on the road leading up to the beach or back on the Pacific Coast Highway and hike it, but with kids and coolers and such, I highly advise the paid parking area.

The people watching is great, too - you have a wonderful cross-section of Angelenos enjoying the surf.