California - the Botanical Garden of Eden

We walked the beach at 7:00 a.m. California time (it was 9:00 a.m. "our" time) and watched two dolphins playing along the coast. The sand was warm, the water was cold and the sandpipers digging for food was a moment we will both remember.

Quick Tips:

The experience of Mandalay Beach will suit those with children and those who want to spend time alone. We found the people nicer, the state a beautiful display of the most unusual plant life, and the absence of tiki bars and tourist traps. From Manadaly beach, you have 45 minutes to Universal Studios and 1 1/2 hours to Disneyland. Or you can take Highway 1 down the coastal line and see the most beautiful scenery. Then, if your adventuresome, you can take a canyon road for a ride that's scarier than any roller coaster. These canyon roads above Malibu allow you to see how the rich and famous live.

The Channel Island harbour restaurants are interesting and the ambiance is enticing. A dinner cruise around the harbour goes to each restaurant for a different course of your choice. If you plan to be there in the fall, this option is limited.

We will go to Mandalay Beach again, but in the warmer months. If more time allows, especially after the need to see Disneyland and Universal studios, California promises a never-ending opportunity to see beautiful scenery and to visit LA, San Francisco and Lake Tahoe from Oxnard, California.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you are not in to driving, the Roadrunner Bus service will take you to where ever you want to go. But, the expense is just as much to rent a vehicle from the multitude of services at the airports. Driving on Highway 101 is not as bad as one would think, if you use your head and travel before or after the rush hours. Highway 1 is a good highway and not traveled as much. Again, you can go along the coast from tip to tip on this highway. Be sure to get a map from the internet services, realizing that these maps don't allow you to take short cuts. If you know someone in California, ask them for better directions as these maps take you through towns that are unnecessary.

The condo at Mandalay beach will suit those with children or families traveling together. The condo has two bathrooms, one downstairs and one up. It has a washer and dryer and plenty of room for 6 people. There is a loft bedroom that is romantic and quiet and the living room area is huge enough to allow enough privacy for a third couple or children. The beach is like, right there. You can walk out of your condo and find sand going right to the beach. They even have a garage for you to park your rental vehicle. The area is surrounded by private homes, so the beach, at least in October, is empty.

The trips available in this area that allow you to go on daily cruises to the Catalina Islands and up and down the coast of California are extraordinary. They are not that expensive and they allow you many, many daily excursions or dinner trips along the Mandalay beach area.