Flights to San Jose

Ah, California beaches. Spacious, great for surfing and stunning to behold. All of the above is true of Oceanside's largest beach, Harbor Beach, an ample space visited not only by enthusiastic bodyboarders, bodysurfers and swimmers, but also by those who love a soothing sunset vista.

This laid-back locale boasts plenty of amenities to make your trip more fun: grills, picnic tables, a playground, a snack bar, fire rings, restrooms, showers and even volleyball courts. With a setup like that, you'll want to stay all day and soak in the experience.

Active types, get ready. On the marina, you can rent water vehicles and join those relishing the ocean waves. Whale watching and deep-sea fishing are other popular activities.

Be sure to wander into the harbor to browse the local shops, sit down for a meal or just grab a coffee or ice cream.

Though Harbor Beach is vast, its parking lots aren't. If you plan to drive, be there early to claim a free spot. Otherwise, you can snag a metered spot or pay $8 for an all-day ticket.

If you hit the water, remember that it's always a good idea to keep safety in mind; during the high season, lifeguards will be watching out for you, too.