Making the Most of Summer: CA Beaches and Swimming With the Sharks

Summer in Southern California is one of the best seasons of the year. The days are warm and long and we have miles and miles of beaches that are perfect for relaxing, exercising, surfing and just lazing about.

I ask everyone not to take their smart phones to the beach–especially your kids. Teens nowadays at the beach have what I call "smartphone claw." They walk around with their device in one hand like a claw, ignoring the sun, sand and surf. How sad!

Go to the Beach a Lot

This should be a no-brainer. But with our crazy busy lifestyles many people just forget that the beach should be our first and foremost priority on summer weekends or before and after work. The beach is a great place for spending time with family and friends. If you have children they need to be at the beach all the time–all day. The beach is a gift, and the best place on the planet to relax and enjoy nature.

Sign up the Kids for Junior Lifeguards

There are tons of expensive summer camps avaialable, but few can match the cost effective and amazing programs that our national-model and innovative Junior Lifeguarding Programs have to offer. From Imperial Beach to Oceanside, our wonderful lifeguard services offer up beach recreation and safety, surfing, exercise, first aid training and instilling confidence in kids of all ages.

Swim Near a Lifeguard

As a former 13-year ocean lifeguard veteran, I am here to tell you that California lifeguards are the world's best trained ocean safety specialists. Our state and city ocean, bay, lake and pool lifeguards are trained to keep you and your kids safe. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you are immune to the powers of the ocean or any body of water. And always ask the lifeguard about safety conditions and the best place to swim.

Sign up the Kids for Swimming Lessons

Your kids need to swim well. I mean  really, really well. When they swim well they will be more confident in the ocean and have more fun.

Go Camping

Our national, state and county parks are havens for families seeking low-cost and memorable vacations. Our California State Parks have an amazing selection of stunning beach and mountain locations to make your summer the best ever.

Vist the Mountains

Seriously. What are you waiting for? The Sierra Nevadas are among the most beautiful mountains in the world. And even the Rockies are a short-long drive away (it is worth every hour). While Yosemite is jam packed in the summer, there are many other less-crowded options throughout the Sierras. And national parks, national forests, and other parks in the mountains of Nevada, Utah, northern Arizona and southern Colorado are wide open.

Take a Road Trip

California has the best and coolest beach towns on the planet. Pack up the surfboards and load up the kids and set out to explore our beautiful coast. Head in early to avoid the traffic and you'll always find a spot to park. Just about every beach town has its own unique signature and there is nothing better than exploring new places that surprise you.

Exercise, Eat Well and Live Life

You'll feel better, surf more and enjoy life more when you work out more and eat healthier. And whatever you do, make sure you find new things to do at the beach besides surfing–walking, yoga, running, swimming, bodysurfing, paddling, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing or just reading a great book. Whatever it is, find something fun to do that is not swell dependent!

Swim with Leopard Sharks

One of the world's most fantastic wildlife experiences is available at La Jolla Shores and it is free. Don't miss one of the best shows on earth.

Summer is almost here. So have fun and make the most of it!

What are your plans for this summer? Share in comments.

Serge Dedina is the Executive Director of WiLDCOAST, an international conservation team that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife. He is the author of Wild Sea: Eco-Wars and Surf Stories from the Coast of the Californias and Saving the Gray Whale. He lives and surfs in Imperial Beach.