Corona Del Mar State Beach Park

Corona Del Mar State Beach is a blunt, sunburnt slice of coastline that rewards the patient and annoys the greedy. Waves here have enough punch for boogie boards and small surfers, a steady, chop-sweet rhythm that slaps against the rocks at the north end. Families stake out strips of sand, propane grills hiss and a gull will steal your lunch if you blink. There is a lifeguard station with a modest snack shack called The Jetty, and yes, their fish tacos are worth the sand on your fingers. Sunset is theatrical; yachts stitch orange light across the horizon and the air tastes like smoke and salt. Parking can be a battle on holidays, but weekdays you can snag free street spots and sit on the bluff to watch boats slip by. Sit on a concrete bench, unwrap a taco, and listen to the surf punctuate every other sound.