president's day weekend trip in california?

[Menlo SUPr]

We had a great time in Santa Barbara in Jan. nice flatwater along East Beach and out of the harbor near the peer. Watched surfers and SUPers on small waves at the Point at UCSB and just north of campus at Coal Tar. We stayed at the Lavender Inn downtown, close to the harbor and a few minutes from Wardog's shop. Ended up ordering a couple featherlight carbon boards from him (can't wait!). The Lavender Inn is an older motel but nicely renovated, with free bike rentals for guests. Weather was awesome and we saw some dolphins while out paddling. Made me want to move back there!

[mike2jay1]

Socal is super fun. Water is cold and the weather is not supposed to be that good this coming weekend. The fam and i were actually thinking of heading down to San Felipe to sup on the sea of cortez.  I sup Surf Doheny state beach often sup or surfboard, its nice because they both have their own section so there is nobody agro in the lineup. The wave is one of the best beginner waves and there are plenty of hotels right in Dana Point. The Marriott, Holiday Inn etc.  Doheny is a state park so if you buy a pass you can head down to Sano as well probably 10 mins south. There is a place called dog patch there that is super fun, more skilled riders there but again its an all sup place so no drama. I am actually psyched about this post as i have never sup surfed carlsbad, i may take a trip down there now to check it out. Have fun wherever you go.  The local mountains now have some snow, so you could do a ski, surf, sup day all in one.

[PaddleCrazy]

Just one bit of waring about Doheny as posted on Surfline......

Note: Bacteria levels exceed health standards from the Dana Point Harbor breakwater to the end of the park at Doheny State Beach. OC Beach Info

Last time I was out there a month or so ago, the same advisory was posted at that time, but I thought nothing of it, as I'd been out numerous times previously with the same posting.

That time however, I ended up with some real itchy, rashy, creepy crude to various levels, on my back, chest, arms, and legs.....even after showing immediately after the session, and then once again with soap and water, when I returned home about 15 minutes later.   

Needless to say, I ain't going back out there until the dirty lagoon/flood control/"river"/bird sanctuary clears up a bit, and all of the bird crap stops flowing right into the area that's designated for SUSing.

This from the CDC.......

Swimmer's itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain parasites that infect some birds and mammals. These microscopic parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans). While the parasite's preferred host is the specific bird or mammal, if the parasite comes into contact with a swimmer, it burrows into the skin causing an allergic reaction and rash. Swimmer's itch is found throughout the world and is more frequent during summer months. Most cases of swimmer's itch do not require medical attention.

Just a friendly "public service advisory" from a one time itchy "Zoner".

YMMV......