Carlsbad CA

[Sarek]

I've only been to CA once back in Sept, that was only LAX, landed, rented car, and drove to Sedona AZ. So i been doing some research on Carlsbad CA, i'm heading there soon early December. Restaurants in the area seem good. I'll be checking out LA and San Diego as well.

What i want to do is swim in the Pacific Ocean, but i'm thinking the water is going to be way to cold. Weather Channel site says average temp will be 63 degrees outside with a water temperature around 60. Do people swim there in December? I'm guessing they don't.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Hey Sarek,

It's not swimming exactly but the Winter Surf season is huge in Southern California. Some of the biggest Waves are in the Winter there so yeah, you can swim. You just might have to wear a wet suit.

 

[Sarek]

Hey Sarek,

It's not swimming exactly but the Winter Surf season is huge in Southern California. Some of the biggest Waves are in the Winter there so yeah, you can swim. You just might have to wear a wet suit.

I have no idea how to surf and i won't attempt it at this age. The people working at the resort also mentioned the need for a wet suit. I'm not the greatest or even a very good swimmer. I'm guessing the waves make it very difficult to swim and rip tide is very forceful? Could i walk into the water knee high for 3 or 4 minutes without a wet suit and not get crippled by the waves?

 

[Sarek]

I'm thinking of driving to Coronado beach San Diego and jumping in the ocean there instead of at Carlsbad beach as it might be a smoother experience? I'll have to scope out the situation when i get there.

Thanks for any info.

 

[Rockport]

Your in California. There's many better things to do than going swimming in frigid waters.

 

[Sarek]

Your in California. There's many better things to do than going swimming in frigid waters.

I plan on doing a few things. PeopIe i'm going with want to go seaworld, san diego zoo, some aquarium i forget which one. I wanted to go to a Laker game but they will be on the east coast when i arrive. I never been in the Pacific Ocean, i gotta go in for a few minutes and i will be going in even if its just for a few seconds.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I have no idea how to surf and i won't attempt it at this age. The people working at the resort also mentioned the need for a wet suit. I'm not the greatest or even a very good swimmer. I'm guessing the waves make it very difficult to swim and rip tide is very forceful? Could i walk into the water knee high for 3 or 4 minutes without a wet suit and not get crippled by the waves?

No, no, I understand. I'm sorry, I was not trying to suggest that you start surfing, LOL..... I was simply trying to say that a lot of surfers do the winter season and they are in the water for awhile so yeah, I think that if you wanted to just swim, the water temps would be fine with a wet suit. My bad, sorry. Of course, you can dip a toe if that is what you wanted to do, as well.

 

[Sarek]

No, no, I understand. I'm sorry, I was not trying to suggest that you start surfing, LOL..... I was simply trying to say that a lot of surfers do the winter season and they are in the water for awhile so yeah, I think that if you wanted to just swim, the water temps would be fine with a wet suit. My bad, sorry. Of course, you can dip a toe if that is what you wanted to do, as well.

Lol, i was thinking you wanted me dead or something, j/k. I might watch some youtube videos of December surf competitions in the southern California to get a idea of what kind of waves/waters ill be dealing with.

 

[Sarek]

I never used a wet suit in my life and i'm not fond of having to rent one and use it. Do they clean these things properly? I may have to just buy a new one.

 

[Cowgal]

I'm not sure you want to go swimming. That water is really cold. I live about 40 miles north of Carlsbad so happy to answer any specific questions if I can

 

[Tabascocat]

I've only been to CA once back in Sept, that was only LAX, landed, rented car, and drove to Sedona AZ. So i been doing some research on Carlsbad CA, i'm heading there soon early December. Restaurants in the area seem good. I'll be checking out LA and San Diego as well.

What i want to do is swim in the Pacific Ocean, but i'm thinking the water is going to be way to cold. Weather Channel site says average temp will be 63 degrees outside with a water temperature around 60. Do people swim there in December? I'm guessing they don't.

The water is fine to swim in, doesn't matter if July or January. It is always cold

From June to October, I just wear my trunks. After the initial shock, the water feels great. In those winter months, go swimming with at least a lycra suit but I recommend a Short John wetsuit. The water temp is pretty much the same year round varying a few degrees. The getting out of the water in the Winter is the worst part. When I Scuba dive, I wear the thick stuff no matter the time of year.

Oh, pick you out a nice fur seal colored suit, the Whites hate that color

Seriously, if ya have any questions about SoCal, let me know. Live from SD to LA to Santa Barbara for many years.

 

[Tabascocat]

I have no idea how to surf and i won't attempt it at this age. The people working at the resort also mentioned the need for a wet suit. I'm not the greatest or even a very good swimmer. I'm guessing the waves make it very difficult to swim and rip tide is very forceful? Could i walk into the water knee high for 3 or 4 minutes without a wet suit and not get crippled by the waves?

To add some......

The waves will vary depending where you go. They can be 12' high down to almost nothing a short ways away. It all depends on the coastline formations. La Jolla beach in SD is a nice place to go swim, the waves usually arent much.

You can swim out as far as you wish, just watch out for riptides. Google "how to recognize them" and learn it. The waves can be powerful in places, just use caution.

 

[Sarek]

To add some......

The waves will vary depending where you go. They can be 12' high down to almost nothing a short ways away. It all depends on the coastline formations. La Jolla beach in SD is a nice place to go swim, the waves usually arent much.

You can swim out as far as you wish, just watch out for riptides. Google "how to recognize them" and learn it. The waves can be powerful in places, just use caution.

If i buy a wet suit which i probably wont ill stay in the water for awhile. I'm thinking about going with no wet suit waist high diving under and swimming for like 30 seconds and then getting out of the water. I usually do most of my swimming in Fla on the gulf side so i have no need for the wet suit after i return home from CA.

 

[Ranching]

I've only been to CA once back in Sept, that was only LAX, landed, rented car, and drove to Sedona AZ. So i been doing some research on Carlsbad CA, i'm heading there soon early December. Restaurants in the area seem good. I'll be checking out LA and San Diego as well.

What i want to do is swim in the Pacific Ocean, but i'm thinking the water is going to be way to cold. Weather Channel site says average temp will be 63 degrees outside with a water temperature around 60. Do people swim there in December? I'm guessing they don't.

Spent a couple of weeks there in the summer of 83. I was a 6'4" Stetson wearing Texan visiting my cousins. I got so much *** that summer! Lots of surfer beauties. Beautiful place.

 

[Tabascocat]

If i buy a wet suit which i probably wont ill stay in the water for awhile. I'm thinking about going with no wet suit waist high diving under and swimming for like 30 seconds and then getting out of the water. I usually do most of my swimming in Fla on the gulf side so i have no need for the wet suit after i return home from CA.

For that short time it will be fine. Make sure you dry off completely and put some clothes on ASAP with a jacket. If it is in the 60's, you could potentially get close to hypothermia if not clothed properly. Who knows, it might still be warm out there in SD and be in the 80's. Do your swim in the afternoon, that is peak warmth around 3-4:00.

FWIW, I have gone out and swam/body surfed in the middle of Winter for 15 minutes or so with no wetsuit of any kind. I don't recommend it though, especially if you aren't a good swimmer. I am half fish

Try wearing just some gloves if you want a few minutes in the water, the hands are the first to go cold.

I grew up swimming in the Gulf, it is a night to day difference

 

[Rockport]

I plan on doing a few things. PeopIe i'm going with want to go seaworld, san diego zoo, some aquarium i forget which one. I wanted to go to a Laker game but they will be on the east coast when i arrive. I never been in the Pacific Ocean, i gotta go in for a few minutes and i will be going in even if its just for a few seconds.

Do what you gotta do!!

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I've only been to CA once back in Sept, that was only LAX, landed, rented car, and drove to Sedona AZ. So i been doing some research on Carlsbad CA, i'm heading there soon early December. Restaurants in the area seem good. I'll be checking out LA and San Diego as well.

What i want to do is swim in the Pacific Ocean, but i'm thinking the water is going to be way to cold. Weather Channel site says average temp will be 63 degrees outside with a water temperature around 60. Do people swim there in December? I'm guessing they don't.

Reminds me of the time a broadcaster hilariously commented that 'only people from Chicago are swimming in the water." I think this was a Bear playoff game in Jan in Calif or something.

 

[Sarek]

For that short time it will be fine. Make sure you dry off completely and put some clothes on ASAP with a jacket. If it is in the 60's, you could potentially get close to hypothermia if not clothed properly. Who knows, it might still be warm out there in SD and be in the 80's. Do your swim in the afternoon, that is peak warmth around 3-4:00.

FWIW, I have gone out and swam/body surfed in the middle of Winter for 15 minutes or so with no wetsuit of any kind. I don't recommend it though, especially if you aren't a good swimmer. I am half fish

Try wearing just some gloves if you want a few minutes in the water, the hands are the first to go cold.

I grew up swimming in the Gulf, it is a night to day difference

I'm hoping for a day in the high 70's or low 80's. If not i'm just gonna go in and out very quickly. Ill have the clothing ready the second i come out of the water.

 

[haleyrules]

I plan on doing a few things. PeopIe i'm going with want to go seaworld, san diego zoo, some aquarium i forget which one. I wanted to go to a Laker game but they will be on the east coast when i arrive. I never been in the Pacific Ocean, i gotta go in for a few minutes and i will be going in even if its just for a few seconds.

Plenty of good bars that must be visited!! Priorities.

 

[Melonfeud]

I plan on doing a few things. PeopIe i'm going with want to go seaworld, san diego zoo, some aquarium i forget which one. I wanted to go to a Laker game but they will be on the east coast when i arrive. I never been in the Pacific Ocean, i gotta go in for a few minutes and i will be going in even if its just for a few seconds.

I've swam in both,guess it's mainly just a bucket list thing and I'm glad to hear you're that kinda guy Sarek.



*FOLLOWING* now

( I'm a little more leery of sharks now that I'm in my non bullet proof stage of life)


How was Sedona?
Did you like it?
A bunch of new agers and holistic crystal aura casing-liner's have took root up there,,,oh,ya! and the space alien club sits out at nights watching also, to bad you couldn't drive the 89A oak creek canyon hyway,it's cool tooling