LA is beach city in summer
Surf's up and the beach beckons. Think out of the box. Think Los Angeles. You'll still get the sand and the surf, but a different experience that could be a welcome break from the San Diego rut. Here's why.

Brief profile: Redondo Beach
For those who come to the Los Angeles area to see theme parks and movie stars, this strand of concrete running between Redondo Beach and Santa Monica represents the undiscovered country, an area free of rush hours and exhaust fumes.

Brief profile: Hermosa Beach
If the area seems familiar, it's because Hermosa Beach is one of Hollywood's favorite places, the perfect stage when the script calls for a beach setting. Most notable is Fox's The O.C., whose fans will recognize the backdrop of homes.

Brief profile: Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach also is a favorite hangout for volleyball players. Numerous nets line the beach's eastern end, players putting down coolers and blankets to mark the lines. Surfers also enjoy the area, though waves are slightly smaller than those farther south.

Brief profile: Santa Monica
If the pier and park are the soul of Santa Monica, its tourism heart is the Third Street Promenade, a three-block outdoor mall filled with shops and restaurants. Visiting the promenade can occupy an afternoon, longer should you take in a movie.

Brief profile: Venice Beach
The sun and sand are supporting actors in the daily show occurring along the shops and stalls that line the path through Venice Beach. Bikini-wearing roller girls share space with oiled bodybuilders, who compete for attention with pierced, tattoo-bearing teens.