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Local beaches make fun and easy getaway destinations. A few beach toys (pail, shovel, truck, frisbee or ball) are all that most children need for hours of fun.

Add a picnic lunch and a walk along the beach to play with the waves and find treasures (pebbles, driftwood, and polished glass) for a fun and carefree day.

As with most outdoor adventures in the Bay Area be prepared for a variety of weather. I've left my home on a warm, sunny day and arrived in Santa Cruz to find fog, wind, and cold. Conversely, I've visited Half Moon Bay beaches in winter and enjoyed warm, sunny weather. Check a site like weather.com for coastal forecasts.

September and October are my favorite months for beach trips, because both the summer crowds and the fog are usually gone. Regardless of the weather bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and drinking water.

Ano Nuevo Reserve - Pescadero
Bean Hollow State Beach - Pescadero
Gray Whale Cove State Beach - Montaro
Half Moon Bay State Beach - Half Moon Bay
Lighthouse Field State Beach - Santa Cruz
Manresa State Beach - Watsonville
Montara State Beach - Montara
Natural Bridges State Beach - Santa Cruz
New Brighton State Beach - Capitola
Pacifica State Beach - Pacifica
Pescadero State Beach - Pescadero
Pomponio State Beach - Pacifica
Pt. Reyes National Seashore Beaches - Pt. Reyes
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach - Alameda
San Gregorio State Beach - San Gregorio
Seacliff State Beach - Rio Del Mar
Sonoma Coast State Beach - Bodega Bay
Stinson Beach - Marin County
Sunset State Beach - Watsonville
Twin Lakes State Beach - Santa Cruz