Tag Archives: Southern California

Dana Point Sea Cave

January 23, 2023 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

DANA POINT CONSERVATION AREA

Activity: Beach Hike, Spelunking

1.2 miles, 82′ elevation gain, duration, 1 hour, rated Easy

Date: 1-16-23

What a splendid day… Just after winter storms deluged California with a couple weeks of heavy rains, even flooding in some areas, there are opinions I find surprising. After a couple decades of drought these storms have relieved the situation? Regardless, the powerful storms deposited much needed rain and snow pack in the mountains, cleared the air and now that the storm clouds have parted, made for a wonderful experience in nature on this fine day.

After finally experiencing the “Secret Falls”, that morning in Dana Point Harbor, I headed towards the Dana Point Headlands on Dana Point Beach. The seas were still a bit turbulent from the windy storm making it a sight to behold. The waves raced towards the shore, sometimes exploding in white water as they crashed upon the rocks.

It is just over a half mile along the beach. The venture becomes rockier as you continue until you are hoping across rocks ranging from fist size to torso size. As you proceed be sure to stop and peer into the shallow tide pools in hopes of spying tiny fish, crabs, shellfish or sea anemones. As I continued my trek I found it interesting that one spot was so thick with empty scallop shells that it completely covered the beach.

Arriving at the what appears to be the end of the road- is anything but… If you pay attention you will discover an obscure narrow opening in the rock leading into the Dana Point Sea Cave.

Sea caves are formed by the tremendous force of pounding waves against coastal cliffs. This energy is continuously at work crushing, cracking and eroding rock. A natural phenomenon coastal caves provide beauty and intrigue that are an irresistible treasure to be explored.

Entering the cave even at low tide the entrance is blocked by a pool of water 6 to 8 feet long. I watched a woman using a rock climbing technique utilizing pressure against both sides of the walls. The cave explorer straddling the water seeking tiny foot and hand holds in order to keep her shoes dry. Unfortunately her attempt to ford the pool failed. After all her effort she slipped and soaked her shoes. I succeeded in keeping my boots dry when I entered into the large cavern.

The entrance to the sea cave is a bit obscure and could be missed.

The cave about the size of a grand room has two openings both with incredible views especially on this day when the waves were larger. Such a wonderful spot to take a moment and appreciate nature and what it has created.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel
Dana Point Sea Caves
CLICK THE PIC!

**SEACARVED CAVES**

**How the softly lapping ocean waves..**
**with patient chisels.. lick and lave..**
**newly sculpting seacarved caves**
**turning convex to concave.**

**The rocks found**
**in her shallows**
**she has turned**
**to rookery hollows.**

**She has sculpted**
**the coral reef**
**to make room for scallops.**

**Inland the falls roar**
**the falls thunder**
**faster breaking rocks asunder**
**as Spirit too can make**
**new holes in hearts of stone.**

Thanks for accompanying me as I found myself ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ along the Dana Point coastline. This was a exploration I had wanted to do for awhile. Sea Caves are awesome. There is always more experiences ahead that I want to share to inspire everyone to enjoy nature. To ensure that you don’t miss anything please do this: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. Also, I invite you to go to the menu above to see the many locations that PBTA ventures to besides the beach. Each location or activity in the menu is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Like my hat in my video? I have top quality lids and shirts available with the PBTA logo and Mantra on my SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Table Rock

November 21, 2022 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

LAGUNA BEACH

Activity: Swimming, skim boarding, snorkeling, sunbathing, tide pools, beach walk, scrambling, and just plain exploring.

Table Rock is well known to locals and has the look and feel of secluded private beach. Once you maneuver the long set of stairs you will discover a delightfully small beach with rocks to the North and South. In the middle of the beach is a slab of rock that gives it the name, Table Rock. Because of it’s natural beauty it is a favorite for family portraits and wedding photos.

At low tide there are wonderful tide pools to checkout. Also at low tide you could either scamper on the lower part of a bluff to the South and drop down using a few hand holds or swim around to another tiny beach known as Secret Cove that leads to a picturesque tunnel, cave or arch. I would call it an arch, but I have heard it referred as all three. Going through the enchanting arch/tunnel/cave brings you to a bigger broader beach, Totuava Beach and beyond that is Thousand Steps Beach, which is the only one of the two that has public beach access.

When the waves are big be advised that this area could be dangerous with rip currents. On such days this spot is a favorite of skim boarders. There is a lifeguard stand, but no bathrooms. Table Rock is not crowded and is more secluded then other Laguna Beaches as it is not easy to find. Access is through an high end neighborhood and there is only limited parking on PCH.

Table Rock is between West Beach to the North and Totuava Beach to the South.

The Best way to see the waves and the water is in motion. CLICK THE PIC!

If you live by the motto “Life’s a Beach’ like I do then you have come to the right place. I sure love the beach. Beach lovers subscribe to this blog by doing these easy to follow directions: FOLLOW, SHARE, LIKE and COMMENT. If you have an adventurous nature, and feel the need to rebalance the scale of our too busy, too stressed, too hectic existence- then let’s put a little counter balance weight on the other side for a change, the side with harmony, peace and tranquility, the side where your soul drinks in nourishment. Adventurous outings in nature can give you that nourishment and the feeling of: now this is more like it. Go to the menu above, get off the couch, turn off the news, lay down your tablet, (well, don’t lay it down yet you have to click menu first, lol). The menu has ideas and inspiration to get you started. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Next you will need Adventure Wear, but don’t worry I got you covered, literally. SHOP APPAREL has the latest and greatest hats, beanies, and shirts with the mantra printed right on it, ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’.

Life’s a Beach-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Pirate’s Tower

December 15, 2020 Roger Jenkins 4 Comments

VICTORIA BEACH – LAGUNA, CA

Activity: Beach Stroll, Tide Pools, Tanning, Body Surfing, Skim Boarding, Sight Seeing

Laguna Beach has a treasure trove of beaches, a Treasure Island, sands of gold, and coves that are hidden gems around every point, so it should be no surprise that Laguna Beach has a Pirate’s Tower. This spectacle is found South of Main Beach and North of Treasure Island Beach.

Victoria Beach is a long sandy beach adorned with rocks, and cliffs. It’s not easy to find and parking is very limited, but it is a really nice beach. As far as public beaches go it is a little more private mainly because the parking is hard to come by.

What sets Victoria Beach apart from other great OC Beaches is ‘La Tour’, French for tower. This 60’ spire known by locals as Pirate’s Tower is almost camouflaged due to it matching so well the sandstone cliff it practically adjoins. What is the story behind Laguna’s Mysterious Tower? The house at the top of the cliff along with La Tour were built in 1926 for Senator William Brown. The house is known as Norman House and both the house and the tower are heavily French inspired. The Browns had spent time in France at the end of WW1 and had a love for all things French. The Tower is actually a means for them to get to the beach from their Norman House perched on the cliff above. Near the tower is a mysterious pool made of rock now filled with sand and at high tide, sea water.

Adding to the “shiver me timbers” pirate mystique Senator Brown sold his home and thus the tower in 1940 to an Old Sea Captain, Harold Kendrick. Captain Kendrick had a love for “a Pirate’s Life” yo ho! He would dress the part on occasion and tell tales of the Jolly Roger and swashbuckling scallywags sailing the seven seas to the neighborhood children. The Old Capt sometimes would hide coins among the rocks of the tower for the kiddies.

***Loot be first and de wimmen second, if ye have de first ye’ll have de second, but if ye have de second ye won’t have de first fer long.*** – Old Pirate Proverb

Ahoy me hearties and much oblige for setting sail with me on this voyage to Pirate’s Tower. One thing I have learned ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ is that not all the treasure is silver and gold, the greatest bounty is natures. Also it’s the voyage not the destination. So follow me along to the next port for more adventure on the high seas by doing a few simple tasks: FOLLOW, COMMENT, LIKE and SHARE. If the high seas is not your cup of rum, then perhaps the High Sierra, the dry desert, or the canyon deep? It’s all in the Cap’n Log (Menu above). If you need a pirate hat like mine walk the plank to SHOP APPAREL.

Cast‘n off ye‘ scurvy dogs-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Pier to Peer

October 17, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

NEWPORT BEACH

Activity: BEACH HIKE

A great way to stay in shape while enjoying the beach is a beach hike. One of my favorites is from the Newport Pier to the Balboa Pier and back, which is about 4 miles round trip.

It is fun to people watch. Everyone reveling in the joy that the beach provides be it sun bathing, shell collecting, playing some volleyball, frisbee, paddleball, whatever that bounce off the mini trampoline ball game is, or the soccer players perfecting their skills. Then of course the water sports of surfing, skim boarding, boggie boarding, body surfing, swimming, or just plain splashing about. Out on the water we have yachting be it sail or power.

Then there is wildlife to enjoy during your beach stroll. Seagulls and their lonely cry, pelicans making the plunge from up high as they do their fishing, sand pipers scurrying back and forth with each wave provide the aerial entertainment. In the water it is possible to see a seal, or perhaps a pod of dolphins. During the season you might get lucky enough to see the spout of a whale.

When you arrive on the pier, you have ‘pier peers’ enjoying the day with a stroll or a brisk walk, fisherman angling for the big catch, folks checking out the surfers, and those on their way to the end of the pier for a burger and a shake.

‘Peering from the pier’ affords a fantastic view of the ocean, the waves, boats, sea life, the mountains, Fashion Island, the shoreline to Dana Point down the beach, and Huntington Beach and Long Beach up the coast, and of course the big bountiful golden sand beach.

What a great way to spend a couple hours or so, to get some exercise, stretch your legs, breath some good ocean air, get some vitamin D, de-stress, reload, and relax.

Peering at Pier, off in the distance is my destination the Balboa Pier.

**“I wish that Beach Therapy was covered by my Health Insurance.”**

Either the sun was too bright or the beach just gives me a grin from ear to ear… A nice place to be ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ is Newport Beach with pretty much perfect weather year round, not too hot, not too cold all thanks to that great big beautiful blue Pacific Ocean. Please COMMENT, FOLLOW, SHARE, and LIKE. Up above is the menu where you will find places to inspire, each location is a separate website and thus needs to be followed independently. If you like my hat go to SHOP APPAREL and get one for yourself, besides looking great it helps support the PBTA website, and my idea of sharing bold experiences in nature in order to find inner peace and tranquility, also know as ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure ’.

Checkout the CELEBRATION PROMOTION 1000+ FOLLOWERS!!!! FREE DRAWING for a FREE PBTA SHIRT!! (Promotion runs through 11-15-20)

Life’s a Beach!

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Huntington Sunset

July 30, 2020 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

Activity: Beach’ it, Beach/Pier Stroll, Sunset Views

January 6, 2020

Huntington Beach and it’s iconic pier are synonymous with Southern California. Even the Los Angeles News Channel shows the HB Pier for their weather report, and Huntington Beach is in Orange County

Huntington Beach is 10 miles of California Dream’n. It is not Beverly Hills on the beach like Newport Beach, it doesn’t have rocky outcropping and flowers like Laguna Beach, it’s doesn’t have the celebrities like Malibu, it doesn’t have the muscle like Venice Beach, nor a Ferris Wheel like Santa Monica- what it does have is big, beautiful broad beaches, that accommodate large crowds and that is exactly what it has for the US Open of Surfing, the Airshow of the Pacific, and the 4th of July Fireworks, along with numerous other events. It seems like there is always something happening at the Huntington Beach Pier.

When I moved to Huntington Beach back in the 80’s I lived right on the sand in the condos next to the pier. What a place for a young man to live. I was blown away to see the best surfers, skim boarders, and skaters I had ever seen. BMX bikers that could make their bikes dance. I thought to myself doesn’t anyone have a job here? In that respect nothing much has changed, it is still a celebration of life and of Beach.

Surf City USA defines the surf culture for the World. Each year the US Open of Surfing has beach goers, and surfing enthusiasts flocking to Huntington’s golden sands to cheer on the best surfers on the planet. HB hosts the biggest surfing event in the world and it’s standing room only during the week long event Finals.

The US Open of Surfing draws about half a million to this the ultimate celebration of beach culture, and it seems every fit dude is there showing off rock hard abs to a host of bodacious beach babes that can really rock a bikini. During the seven day beach party there is a circus like atmosphere that goes hand in hand with the surfing event. There is plenty of action behind the scenes, basically a surf fair on the other side of the grandstands with food, drawings and give always at booths put on by many of the manufacturers of the beach lifestyle, and fun in the sun activities. The best skate boarders, and BMX Bikers are showing off their moves with an arena just for them. There are big screens on the pier and in the surf fair with Live TV feed of the surfing.

At times the event has had the top motorcycle stunt jumpers, major recording acts giving free concerts, and bikini contests. The event had become so big in the mid 80’s that it was impossible to control and things got out of hand resulting in a riot. So at that point they scaled it back.

Besides the surfing there seems like there is always something going on at the pier such as Pro Volleyball, World Championship of Paint Ball, concerts, it is always something.

Daughter Marina enjoying the California Dream

US Open of Surfing photo via Uglyhedgehog

Blue Angeles Airshow of the Pacific, photo via LAYC

Daughter Marina, “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure” Baseball Cap Ad

**“It’s a wonderful metaphor, catching a wave, for how you can look at other challenges in your life.” – Jeff Bridges**

Thanks for joining Marina and myself as we brought you another episode of Orange County Beaches and in particular my beloved Huntington Beach. Take a moment and COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW so you can enjoy more OC Beaches. While you are at it, checkout the menu above and join me for “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“ and explore with me how to unleash that inner hiking, backpacking, and adventure beast in you as we at the same time explore our inner being through profound experiences in nature. Each PBTA location is a separate website and each will need to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like the baseball caps that Marina and I are wearing you can have you own “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“ hat sent and go to SHOP APPAREL for all your adventure wear needs.

Monarch Bay-Salt Creek-Dana Strand beaches

May 4, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA

Activity: Beach Stroll

Date: October 28, 2019

Laguna Niguel, a little South of Laguna Beach and a little North of Dana Point has some great beaches. The water is so clear there that it just seems different than other parts of SoCal. It is a beautiful spot with cliffs, rocky outcroppings, a nice little park, a sweet little surf break, mansions and a world class resort on the cliffs above, surfers, cute bikinied girls, and sunshine- acres and acres of sunshine. What more could you ask for?

On this day we went for a hike at Salt Creek Trail, and then afterwards for a stroll along this fabulous big broad beautiful beach. If you don’t have the bankroll to dole out for a Five Diamond Resort you can still roll like a rock-star on the same beach below, Salt Creek Beach. Then just to the North is the Monarch Bay Beach, and to the South Dana Strand Beach. They are connected and all three are exquisite.

Monarch Bay Beach has a private gated community above on the cliff and on the sand is the Monarch Bay Beach Club for members and guests.

Salt Creek Beach is directly below the Ritz Carlton and in front of the resort is a pay parking area. It is a steep walk down a road to the beach which runs along a nice green belt which is Salt Creek Park.

To the South is Dana Strand Beach. Between Salt Creek Beach and Dana Strand Beach is a little tide pool area. There are expensive mansions adorning the cliffs all along the area continuing all the way to the Dana Point Headlands.

**Life takes you down many paths but my favorite ones lead to the beach.**

The beach, the beach, boy do I love the beach, and if you love the beach then you will want FOLLOW, LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE so you won’t miss out on a single episode of ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ OC Beaches. And so you will be beach ready join me for a hike- just check the menu above for hiking throughout the West. Each ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ site is separate so you will want to follow each one individually. Then you will need a hat and a shirt to protect you from too much fun in the sun so checkout SHOP APPAREL.

Life’s a Beach!

Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

The Wedge

March 28, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

NEWPORT BEACH – BALBOA PENINSULA

Activity: Beach Stroll, Checking out the Waves

The Wedge is an iconic OC landmark. It’s as infamous as it is legendary. It is a right of passage. If you are young, adventurous, and a little bit spun then on a big day at the Wedge you can lay it all on the line. With the right swell it can get big and when the back lash, generated by the steep beach and the Newport Harbor Entrance rock jetty, hits the face there’s an explosion, jetting the wave up two or three times it’s height! On those big days the Wedge is big news, and attracts a crowd. The Ewwws, the awwws, the OMGs! To take on the big tubes you have to commit, and you will have to throw all caution to the wind. But be forewarned, it is a big, strong, powerful wave and it can mess you up.

I have been to the Wedge on a big day as a young dumb kid and it is crazy. Rag dolled, slammed in the sand, and held under is all part of the experience. I have been there and taken pictures on a big day, but I am not sure where those pictures are so I will link to a little video so you can see from the internet the Wedge when it is going off.

The day of my beach stroll it was not epic, but you can see a bit of what the Wedge does, and it is always a nice walk down a big broad beach checking out the sea, the sand, the wind, and the waves.

The Newport Beach Balboa Peninsula has everything from the cutest, most stylish beach bungalows to mansions and they are all gorgeous. It is fun to watch the boats as they head in and out of the Newport Harbor Entrance. Just across the entrance is Corona Del Mar another wonderful beach.

My beach hike went from the Wedge to the Balboa Pier and back super fun.

Surfs Up Gotta’ Go! 
By Roger Jenkins

There’s like some gnarly waves out there today, ya’ know. 

It’s like a totally awesome line up with killer overhead barrels rolling in.   

Picture this, late take off, down the face, bottom turn, off the lip, the tube cover up, dude you are so happening!  

Righteous man...

Click here to see what the Wedge can look like on an Epic Day. Video Footage filmed by Brent Weldon.

Looking up the beach from the Balboa Pier is the Newport Pier.

**“Beach Rules: Soak up the sun. Ride the waves. Breathe the salty air. Feel the breeze. Build sandcastles. Rest, relax, reflect. Collect seashells. Bare-feet required.”**

This has been another episode of ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ OC Beaches. For more stay tuned. If you are interested in hiking, backpacking and just good around adventure fun then go to the menu above there are lots of adventures and lots of different areas (All are individual sites and thus need to be followed individually.) If you need beach/hiking/casual togs then go to SHOP APPAREL. How do you stay tuned? Well, I am glad you asked please FOLLOW, LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE.

Life’s a Beach,

Roger Jenkins, ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’

Treasure Island Beach & And More

March 25, 2020 Roger Jenkins 3 Comments

ALISO BEACH – TREASURE ISLAND BEACH – MIDDLE MAN COVE – GOFF COVE- CHRISTMAS COVE

LAGUNA BEACH

Activity: Beach Stroll

Date: 9-25-19

Laguna Beach is the Crown Jewel of Southern California Beaches. The most popular Laguna beach is Main Beach right in downtown Laguna Beach, and it is superb, but there are more diamonds along the way and that is exactly what I set out to experience on this day, more diamonds along the way.

Sometimes referred to as the Montage Beach, because it rests below the 5 Star Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, rests some of those diamonds. To get to these jewels there is limited public covered pay parking just adjacent, to the South, of the Montage Resort or a little further south is Aliso Beach Parking.

Coming from the South there is Aliso Beach Park. This is a broad beach with a rocky outcropping at the most southern end. Connecting to Aliso Beach is Treasure Island Beach, they are only separated by a stream, otherwise they are basically the same beach. Great place for all beach activities: strolling, jogging, sun-bathing, swimming, skim boarding, surfing, tide pool exploring, and so forth.

Once you get close to the Montage Resort there are three coves. The first is Middle Man Cove, then Goff Cove, and the most Northerly cove is Christmas Cove. Even though they are close in proximity they each have their own identity. These coves between Treasure Island Beach to the South and Victoria Beach to the North are maintained by the city and the Montage Resort. The bluffs above are breathtakingly beautiful not only because of their abundance of natural beauty, but the glorious enhancements of the landscaping of a 5 Star Luxury Resort. There is also a resort style public washroom maintained by the Montage on the path in front of the resort.

Middle Man Cove is accessed through a natural arch from Treasure Island Beach. There is some climbing over rocks that would be required to go further and that pretty much depends on the tide.

Goff Cove gets it’s name from a rock that protects the cove at the point called Goff Island. It serves as a natural breakwater. Depending on the tide it may or may not actually be an island. There is a stairway that accesses the beach from the walkway above. This is a good spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.

There is a breakwater wall between Goff Cove and Christmas Cove to the North. This is a better area then the other coves for swimming, but as with any beach watch out for high surf or rip currents.

“I could never stay long enough on the shore; the tang of the untainted, fresh, and free sea air was like a cool, quieting thought.”
– Helen Keller

You just gotta’ luv’ the beach! This has been another beach adventure while ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. We are in search of balancing our busy lives, breathing the sea air, and freeing our soul. The beach can do just that salt on your lips, wind in your hair, and a smile on your face. For more OC beach adventures stay tuned right here. And so as not to get burned you will need the proper equipment see SHOP APPAREL for all you top quality beach ware needs. If you are in search of additional adventures in other places and settings see the menu above for other ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ sister sites, (all of which need to be followed individually). Please, please, please for your own sake COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW.

Seal Beach

January 28, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

Activity: Beach Stroll

Date: 1-27-20

Seal Beach is the most northerly beach in Orange County, just south of Long Beach, which is LA County. To it’s south is Sunset Beach and the entrance to Huntington Harbor. The Navy has a ship docked there which is part of the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.

Seal Beach is a quaint neighborhood beach quieter and less crowded than other Orange County Beaches, such as famed Huntington Beach to the South. Like many OC Beaches it boasts a broad beach where there is plenty of fun in the sun in it’s compact mile and a half of golden sand. The moderate surf, it’s broad beach along with perfect Summer Breeze makes Seal Beach a favorite for Kite-sailors, and Windsurfers.

Main Street in lined with fun little shops, restaurants, and bars that are kick back and down to earth. Main Street leads right to the Seal Beach Pier, which is the second longest wooden pier in California. The longest being Oceanside in San Diego County. It was built in the 1900’s and rebuilt in the 1980’s when it and other Southern California piers suffered severe storm damage. The Seal Beach Pier is great for strolling, sight seeing, and fishing.

Seal Beach is certainly a nice place to relax and enjoy California.

**“My sense of direction leads me one way: to the beach.“**

Thanks for joining me at Seal Beach, a wonderful place to be taking a load off and relaxing while ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. For more OC Beaches please FOLLOW, LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE.

Life’s a Beach!

Roger Jenkins, Pursing Balance Through Adventure

NEWPORT BEACH – BALBOA PENINSULA

ALISO BEACH – TREASURE ISLAND BEACH – MIDDLE MAN COVE – GOFF COVE- CHRISTMAS COVE

Life is a Beach