Hello World and Goodbye Summer

Hello!

Welcome to my first post!

In honor of the blog's central theme--California--my first dispatch is about one of the Golden State's gorgeous beaches: Stinson Beach. On Saturday I hit the beach with high hopes, good company, and my camera. Here's what you can look forward to at the beach during the summer (the beach is beautiful during the fall and winter too, but expect more fog and bring a sweater!).

The water is icy, but you can still spot a few fearless, wetsuit-clad surfers enjoying the waves. Though, given there was a great white shark sighting in 2011 I don't know if I'd ever do more than put my feet in the water.

Here's how I recommend passing the time at Stinson:

• Arrive early if you go during the summer. On weekends and particularly hot days there can be lines of cars down the mountain.

• Lie on the beach! With sunscreen, books, and coconut water (or something else beachy)--or champagne like some classy beachgoers we saw. People bring tents and what look like five-course picnics to the beach.

• Walk: there are beautifully rugged rocks at the south end of the beach where you can look at mussels and other sea creatures and pretend you're a land-bound Jacques Cousteau.

• Wade along the shore until you can't feel your feet anymore.

• Buy a towering soft-serve ice cream with colorful sprinkles from the Parkside Snack Bar like you are 6-year-old on summer break.

• Take pictures of family or friends while they nap and then threaten to put the pictures on Facebook when you get home unless they buy you more ice cream.

Where are your favorite beaches?

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