We were all SO excited for our first So-Cal beach experience! There were so many beaches within driving distance of our base in Soledad Canyon that we weren’t really sure where to go. After some research, we settled on San Buenaventura State Beach due to how close it was and due to the weather forecast for the day.
It was early September, so our day at the beach may have been slightly-doomed from the get-go, but we headed out with vision of warm, sunny beaches and beautiful ocean views in our heads. At 74 degrees and partly-cloudy, the beach was not quite ready to live up to our expectations. Just about everyone needed a jacket, and the water was ICE-COLD!🥶🥶🥶 Even so, everyone was all smiles and laughter for pretty much the entire time!
We started off with a science lesson led by Dawn; after all, this was supposed to be a field trip. Everyone was pretty engaged, and the kids really seemed to enjoy learning about science tools and running off to gather show-and-tell items based on the lesson. As a bonus, the sun came out during the lesson, making everything even better!
Afterwards, we told the kids they could play but not to get too wet; they were SO excited to be at the beach for the first time in two years that they couldn’t stand it. Before they realized it, they were splashing in that frigid surf like it was bath water, having the time of their lives.
It wasn’t meant to last, though, because once a few too many jacket sleeves and shorts got wet, they were DONE. And I don’t just mean “let’s get in the car and warm up” done; I mean angry, wet, crying, “I HATE the beach, and don’t ever wanna come back!” done. After some serious cleaning up and drying off, we were able to get everyone loaded up so we could grab some fast-food before hitting the road for the hour-and-a-half drive home.
All in all, we learned a few things.
- Don’t go to the beach in California in September expecting a summer day.
- If you do, bring jackets, a change of clothes, and hot chocolate🤣🤣🤣!
- The ocean in California is COLD!
- Our kids ❤️ the ocean, HATE being cold and wet, but ❤️❤️ the beach!
- Do lots of research, and find the best-loved beach near you.
Younger Every Day 