The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday in the noon hour.
QUESTION: What’s your favorite coastal town/city on the west coast?
Talk about it.
I kinda’ like San Diego; if that counts
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In my opinion, too much traffic. And many residential parts of San Diego are crappy.
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And waaay too many border people.
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We used to always enjoy Santa Barbara. Beautiful architecture and beautiful flowers and shrubs. But we stopped going there two years ago as the homeless have taken over the famed State Street. Nice stores are gone and is full of College bars, close businesses and homeless sleeping in the doorways. It was a real disappointment last time we went. We have begun to like Carmel now. Thankfully they have no tolerance for vagrants there
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Mendocino.
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It’s easy going and unpretentious unlike Carmel or Monterey.
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… and it’s far from the SF Bay Area.
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the few times i’ve been to Mendocino I’ve found it to be a little dull. There’s really not much there. You could say the same for Carmel I suppose. Besides restaurants and shops there’s not much else. But at least there’s more to choose from than Mendocino.
Went to Mendocino for the 4th of July parade with friends . Very disappointed. It was nothing more than a democrat demonstration. Nothing to do with Independence Day. The only place in town where there was an American flag was at the post office. Disgusted we left early.
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What? You didnt bring the girlfriend and a fishing pole?
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San Diego/ La Jolla
Trinidad in Humboldt county, great camping spot. Sadly, not SF anymore.
For a day visit? Half Moon Bay, I can see the ocean, simple parking, Tres Amigos for lunch, visit trinket shops, and orange cookies from Half Moon Bay Bakery to snack on while driving back.
Read my post. I totally agree, also love Cunha Country store, and It’s Italy right on Main street have good food and drinks. There are good places to eat. Years ago Barbara’s Fishtrap had great seafood at reasonable prices and it was right on the water. There’s a new owner and I don’t think it is as good as it use to be. There are a few places that have live music on the weekends. Moss Beach Distillery use to have jazz Sunday afternoon. So there ‘s plenty to do there.
Yes, good comments. I used to take the kids to a pumpkin patch there and I liked that someone would hide among the pumpkins in a costume and jump up to scare them. It was fun.
Florence, Oregon. The town is connected to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. There are forty miles of sand dunes, some rising as high as 500 feet. It’s literally a huge playground for dune buggies. Oregon has the most beautiful coastline in the west. If you ever get the chance, take a drive up Highway 101 through the California redwoods, and up the Oregon coast to Astoria, you will not be disappointed. The farther north you go, the greener, and prettier it gets.
Years ago I drove to Seattle to visit my girl friend. On the way back, when I got to Portland I drove out to the coast and stayed there overnight I think the town were Florence, then driving back to the Bay Area I drove along the coast, unfortunately it wad very foggy at some lenghty streches.
Carmel by the Sea.
As of late we’ve been staying at a place called The Sanctuary in Marina Dunes. It’s about a 15 min drive north of Carmel. Nice beach, etc. No crowds like in Carmel/Monterey.
@ Joe ~ I’ve been there too, loved it.
My favorite place on the west coast however is the Las Hadas by Brisas Resort on Manzanillo Bay in Mexico. Luxury, fine dining, beautiful beaches and spectacular sailfish fishing.
@Dr. Jellyfinger
Las Hadas…….that’s where they filmed the Mexican scenes in the movie “10”.
@CYN ~ Yeah when I was there all the women were getting their hair done up like Bo Derek’s.
Hard to pick a favorite. The viking in me always liked being close to the water. All the towns on the Sonoma coast. I use to go camping with a group at Salt Point State Park by Jenner, late summer. Some in the group would dive for abalone, then at night the cook it, all different recipes.
Of course I like Carmel, and that area, but my favorite would have to be Half Moon Bay. When I lived in Foster City it was fairly easy to get to. Besides that one my best friend, had a womens clothing boutique there for years. I would often worked there on my day off, and would help her out at the Pumpkin Festival, lots of fun.
So I would have to pick HMB, because I have spend so much time there, so lots of memories.
In March a girl friend of mine was camping out there, (she lives in Petaluma) and so I drove out there to meet her for lunch. We had lunch at a restuarant right on the water, sun was out, it was magical.
I love all of the towns along the coast but my bestest favorite is Shelter Cove.
Bodega Bay 👍😎
Bodega Bay. Because I like The Birds
Pacific Grove is our favorite, along with the whole Monterey Peninsula. We love sitting along the water in Asilomar watching the sunsets and walking along by the water at any time of the day. It’s quiet in PG, yet it sits between Monterey and Carmel if you want to go there. Plenty of good places to eat in the area too. It’s also an easy drive down to Big Sur.
BTW, we’ve been to Florence Oregon a couple of times and it’s a great place too. However, we prefer the other Florence, the one in Italy.
Central Coast. Cambria in particular.
Bodega Harbor. But nothing beats Carmel.
Clincher in my opinion. Doesn’t matter what West Coast City or Town you’re on, could be a pile of sand, but best when you’re with the one that adores you.
Santa Cruz, just for the memories. Every year my mom would take us kids to stay at the Dream Inn hotel on the beach and boardwalk for a weekend. Those were some of the best times of my life.
Most definitely Santa Cruz CA
Point Reyes! The weather is almost always optimal for me and I love the farm land out there — so peaceful and fun to see a different pace of life. A lot of really amazing locally grown/produced food in the restaurants and shops, too.