SeeCalifornia.com

For years two internationally-known California sandcastle festivals in the cities of Imperial Beach (US Open of Sandcastles) and Seal Beach attracted sand fans from around the globe to compete in making the coolest sand sculptures in the world.   The effort to produce these events was so immense that the people who helped create them called it quits. The crowds had grown so huge that city services were impacted during annual summer traditions that required planning nearly a year in advance.  Last week after a two year hiatus Imperial Beach brought back a one day celebration featuring sandcastles, with no assurance that it will return another year. Just like the sandcastles, themselves, the festivals devoted to incredible sand creations sometimes fade, becoming nothing more than memories.  Longevity in sandcastle festivals generally seems best when they are either an element of a bigger event, or when the planners keep the size manageable.

This year there have been several annual sandcastle events to date — Alameda and Carlsbad–and there are over a dozen more coming up. Cities where you’ll find them include Balboa Island, Carmel, Corona del Mar, Eureka, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Pacifica, Point Reyes, Redondo Beach,  San Clemente, San Francisco and San Pedro. Read more…>