SeeCalifornia.com

Two of California’s top beach festivals take place this week. Left photo shows the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Right picture shows crowds at International Surf Festival in South Bay cities Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance.

California beaches have the stuff that dreams are made of in landlocked parts of the USA. If it’s summer and crowded, tourists excitedly come to see teeny bikinis, along with awesome sights and sounds made famous by films and TV shows.

I briefly lived in Wisconsin, and can’t tell you how many times people would say, “I’m going to California some day…”. When my sister visited me and she walked down the sidewalks of Appleton in her bikini, you’d think she came from outer space. People stared, honked and couldn’t believe their eyes. Growing up in a California beach town, she was shocked that her attire elicited such a response.

Teens from across the nation who get their wish to see California beaches in the heat of summer fulfill a dream trip exemplified in festivals this week. What makes these fests unique are their focus on action sports and crowds so massive, a haze fills the air as people kick up the sand and dust just by walking single file.

Los Angeles and Orange County beach cities don’t hold a monopoly on crowds as you’ll notice if you attend Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Summer Concerts featuring top bands and free admission on Friday nights June through August.

For those who love beach crowds, this is the peak season and you should go now!