Boasting the best beaches on America’s West Coast, San Diego on the coast of Southern California offers vacationers 70 miles of beautiful, award-winning beaches to choose from. Fine-grained sparkling sand, calm waters, plenty of sunshine, and an average temperature of 70.5 degrees F. make nearly every day in San Diego a perfect beach day. Selected one of the 2012 “Best Family Beach Vacations in the USA” by U.S. News Travel, San Diego offers many calm-water, family-friendly beaches that are lifeguard-patrolled and close to popular family attractions like the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld. An abundance of delightful San Diego vacation rentals adds to the area’s vacation popularity.

Named one of “America’s Top 10 Beaches” in 2011 by Dr. Beach and recipient of Trip Advisor’s 2012 Travelers’ Choice award for “Top 10 Beach Destinations in the United States,” Coronado Beach is a perennial award-winner, but San Diego offers a wide variety of gorgeous beaches that offer incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and Southern California coastline. Mission Beach, Mission Bay Park and South Carlsbad State Beach are just a few of the area’s more popular beaches. Clean, calm and well-patrolled, La Jolla Beach is a favorite with families enjoying San Diego vacations. La Jolla Shores is a top choice for snorkelers and kayakers. Area dogs congregate on Dog Beach for a refreshing frolic. For the more daring, Black Beach offers “au naturel” swimming and sunbathing.

Start planning your San Diego beach vacation today by booking San Diego vacation rentals on iTrip.net.

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Photo Credit: Alan Falcon

You still have time to see the spectacular giant blue whales along Newport coast, California. The whale watching season basically goes from May 1st to October 31st. Hundreds to thousands of blue whales are seen every year. In 2010 more than 850 blue whales were seen from May through August. People on whale watching cruises often spot multiple giant blue whales.

The blue whales, earth’s largest creatures reach lengths of close to 100 feet. You may also spot a finback whale, the world’s second largest whale. Whales are often seen just outside the mouth of Newport Bay. The typical whale watching cruise lasts about 2 ½ hours and adds plenty of fun to a Newport Beach vacation.

Blue whales have a long tapering body that looks stretched when compared to the stockier build of other whales. Their small dorsal fin can be seen during the dive sequence. Blue whales can reach speeds of 31 mph, during short bursts, typically when interacting with other whales.

Whale watching cruise participants are often treated to the wonderful site of giant pods of common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. These wonderful creatures swim right up to the whale watching boats, perhaps out of curiosity or perhaps just to say hi. A blue whale watching cruise adds pizzazz to a Newport Beach vacation.

The typical whale watching ship includes an upstairs sundeck, wrap around outside seating as well as a snack bar and indoor seating. Some of the captains and crew members have a marine biology background and share their extensive knowledge of marine creatures, eco-systems and the environment.

Viewing success rate is over 90 percent and if nothing is seen some of the whale watching boats give you a free pass for another whale watching cruise.

Read more about Newport Landing Sportfishing & Whalewatching or call 949-675-0551.

Career-building singles rarely take all the vacation time they have coming; but a singles vacation to somewhere warm, sunny and fun could be just what you need to unwind, relax and recharge your batteries. Popular vacation hotspots like Panama City Beach, Newport Beach and Siesta Key have the luxurious beach rentals, fabulous beaches, exciting activities, great restaurants and pulsating nightlife that draw singles. Beach vacations destinations are the perfect places to party with your friends, meet other singles and maybe even find romance. Three of the most popular vacation destinations for singles are:

1. Panama City Beach is where singles go to have fun on Florida’s scenic Gulf Coast. Packed with fun-filled attractions, including water parks, zoos, go karts, miniature golf and arcades, this is the place to go for exciting water sports, rocking nightlife and the Gulf’s famous sugar-sand beaches
2. Newport Beach is Southern California’s favorite beach resort. Relax on white sand beaches or pamper yourself at fabulous spas. Newport Beach offers biking, kayaking, surfing, boarding and world-class shopping. Dinner on the harbor and breathtaking sunsets set the stage for romance
3. Siesta Key is a tropical paradise on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast where colorful birds flit across gorgeous white sand beaches and sing from swaying palms. Siesta Key has it all: snorkeling, diving, fishing, spas, golf and more

Singles vacations are more fun when you and your friends stay together in fabulous Siesta Key beach rentals or Newport Beach vacation rentals where you can laze around, raid the kitchen whenever you get the munchies, cook fabulous meals together, sit shoulder to shoulder on the beach while you watch the sun melt into the ocean and talk the night away over a pitcher of margaritas. You need this. So call a few friends or gather the whole gang, tell your boss you’re headed for the beach and book the perfect Panama City Beach rentals on iTrip.net.

Seven miles of pristine, world-class beaches set against the dramatic Southern California coastline beckon you to take a Laguna Beach vacation. Conveniently located between Los Angeles and San Diego, luxurious Laguna Beach rentals is a tropical oasis of sun and sand lapped by the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, the ultimate beach vacation destination.

On Laguna Beach’s white sand beaches, vacationers can relax and let their cares slip away while they bury their toes in the warm sand, breathe in the fresh salt air or watch surfers ride the waves. A stroll along rocky beach outcrops will reveal fascinating tide pools and quiet hidden coves. Named the 2011 Most Popular Beach in California by The Daily Beast, Laguna Beach has also been recognized as one of the Top 10 Beaches in America, Top 10 Sexiest Beaches in America and Top 3 Cleanest Beaches in America.

Visitors to Laguna Beach can choose from 20 public beaches and coves, each different and strikingly beautiful. Some of Laguna Beach’s most popular beaches are listed below, but you can find summaries of all 20 beaches on the Laguna Beach Lifeguards website. 

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  • Main Beach in the heart of downtown is the best beach for swimming and sunbathing and the perfect place to grab a bite to eat or cruise the boardwalk
  • Brook’s Street Beach is the best surfing beach but its rocky bottom and strong currents make it a poor choice for swimming
  • Pearl Street Beach is a popular spot for body surfing, body boarding, diving, tide pooling and fishing. Check out the blow hole
  • Rockpile Beach is a secluded beach with wonderful tide pools
  • Shaw’s Cove Beach is a great place to swim, boogie board, dive or fish

Plan your Laguna Beach vacation and reserve fabulous Laguna Beach beachfront rentals on iTrip.net today.

Take a Newport Beach vacation and enjoy this luxurious beachfront home, iTrip.net’s Featured Property of the Week.

The deluxe 4-bedroom, three-bathroom home is just a short walk from the beautiful ocean. In the evening, relax in the attractive, spacious living room and enjoy the excellent ocean views.

The elegant interior features local, original artwork and comfortable overstuffed chairs. The spacious, fully-stocked gourmet kitchen includes attractive granite countertops, custom cabinets as well as stainless steel appliances. Enjoy the ocean breeze while cooking tasty chicken breasts or steaks on the BBQ grill.

After a day of fun at the beach, relax and enjoy one of the three large flat screen televisions. The surround sound goes throughout the house and even out to the patio. The patio, with its comfortable seating, offers great views of the ocean and yes, it’s an excellent place to read a book.

The large master bedroom, just off the beach and boardwalk, provides wonderful views as well as a new king-sized bed and a large flat screen television. It’ no ordinary bathroom, it features a beautiful Jacuzzi tub/shower combo. Two of the other bedrooms include a new queen-sized bed, whereas one of the bedrooms has a trundle bed.

Going to the beach? Take the Ralph Loren towels as well as the umbrella and chairs. When it time for thrills, the man-made Balboa Island offers an amusement park. The island also has bars for evening entertainment. Take a walk over to the nearby park and enjoy the local music. Newport Beach also has great deep-sea fishing opportunities as well as excellent golf courses such as the Pelican Hill Golf Club.

Find more amenities, photos, pricing and availability for this luxurious Newport Beachfront home on iTrip.net.

This week iTrip is featuring the spacious 6800 square ft., 6-bedroom, 7-bath Bali-style Laguna Beach Villa vacation estate. Walk over the bridge and enter the majestic entrance. If you’re looking for a spacious, gorgeous vacation rental, situated along a beautiful beach, this is it. Relax in the beautiful estate after a day of fun at the beach. Enjoy the sunset from the spacious open air patios. Every upstairs bedroom features a beautiful ocean view. Laguna Beach Rentals are within easy reach of excellent beaches.

The luxury vacation estate, situated in the exclusive community of Irvine cove, in north Laguna Beach, provides a wonderful escape from the daily grind. Enjoy the outdoor wet bar, fireplace and the seating area overlooking the attractive pool. The estate features a koi pond and lush landscape. This isn’t a basic vacation rental; the luxury estate includes a guest house, maid’s quarters, Au Pair Suite, master retreat and a private spa. The guest quarters can be utilized as a game room. When you don’t feel like walking to the tennis courts or private beach use the golf cart.

The luxurious vacation estate, situated in a gate guarded oceanfront community, provides a great amount of security. It’s ideal for entertaining and makes a great corporate retreat. Enjoy amenities such as a full-kitchen, satellite television, big screen TV and the Internet. Bring your dog or cat with you. Laguna Beach, the wonderful resort town and artist community, offers tranquility, world class beaches and some excellent Laguna Beach, beachfront rentals. It’s where the mountains and sea converge. Every beach in the area has its own unique setting. Relax and rejuvenate at the wonderful local spas.

Find more information on the Laguna Beach Villa, including photos, pricing and availability.

Building sandcastles is a fun way to spend a day at the beach. If you’re planning a fall vacation to sunny Newport Beach, California, you’ll want to start practicing now for the Newport Beach 50^th annual Sandcastle Contest to be held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at Big Corona State Beach. Hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, the much-anticipated event draws thousands of spectators to watch professional and amateur sand sculptors vie for prizes and bragging rights. Families can join the fun for a $30 registration fee. So gather your family and friends, reserve one of our Newport Beach vacation rentals on iTrip.net and start honing your sandcastle-building skills.

To create an awesome sandcastle, follow these tips from the pros:

1. Castle building is easier with the right tools. The pros use architectural forms and sculpting tools to create incredible works of art, but plastic pails in several sizes, a couple of shovels, a squirt bottle and eager hands will get the job done. If you’re planning a more elaborate sculpture, you might want to scrounge around your Newport Beach rentals for the following: measuring spoons, plastic measuring cups, plastic ruler, putty knife, stiff brushes for texture, screwdrivers to draw lines or poke holes.
2. Compaction is the key to a successful sandcastle. Pile moist sand into piles with a shovel or your hands, then use your palms to tamp it down firmly before sculpting. Wet sand can also be pressed into buckets and other forms.
3. Use small shovels, spoons and your hands to carve, mold and smooth the sand into shapes.
4. Spray your sculpture with water frequently to keep it moist.

Need a little inspiration? Click here to see photos from last year’s sandcastle competition posted on Corona Del Mar Today.

Girls night out simply isn’t long enough to cram in all the crazy fun and heart-to-heart chat time you and your girlfriends need to stay close. Close friendships need more nurturing than a few glasses of wine over the occasional dinner out. Every once in awhile you and your gal pals need to schedule some serious together time where you can focus on each other without the distraction of buzzing cell phones, whining kids, demanding bosses or significant others. What you and your girlfriends need is a getaway to Laguna Beach on California’s sunny southern coast.

When you’re planning your girlfriend getaway, skip the impersonal hotels and rent a comfortable vacation home or condo on the beach. Laguna Beach beachfront rentals provide the perfect setting for gal pal get-togethers. You can spend your days trading gossip on the beach and your nights sharing confessions over margaritas. Cook a few delicious meals together in the fully-stocked kitchen of your Laguna Beach vacation rental or sample some great seafood at the area’s fabulous restaurants.

Spend a delightful morning browsing through Laguna Beach’s charming shops before lunching al fresco at a wonderful harborside café. Schedule a relaxing spa day at the Aquaterra Spa and splurge on a botanical facial. Sign up for an art class at Sawdust Studio to create a special memento of your girlfriend getaway. In the evening, sit shoulder-to-shoulder on the beach while you watch the sun dip slowly into the Pacific Ocean. Make some memories, share some hugs and gab the night away.

You and your girlfriends need this. Text your girlfriends now, pick a date and schedule your Laguna Beach vacation on iTrip.net today!