California Beaches Blog

There’s something about the way the waterline recedes at Newport Beach that makes it ideal for jogging. Hundreds of runners can be seen morning and night, moving swiftly along the ocean front. But if you think Newport Beach in Orange County is unique, try visiting San Diego’s beach paths, or Redondo Beach, or Long Beach, or San Francisco.

California’s year-round mild coastal weather makes for seldom a lost day on the trail. And if you think the only rush hour is on the freeway, try visiting one of California’s beaches in the morning of evening when thousands of people come out after work to work out.

For travelers, jogging is the easiest form of exercise to maintain while on the road. Unlike swimming and other workouts, you can find places to run just about any place you go.  And for beginners seeking to pick up the pace and add jogging to their lives, getting started is pretty simple.

First, decide how much time you want to devote to running. 30 minutes is always a great starting point.
Second, begin with a five-minute brisk walk to warm up.

Third, start jogging when your body says, “go”.  If you get out of breath, slow down and keep jogging, or walk again until you catch your breath. This may take thirty seconds or three minutes.
Fourth, go ahead and jog again until you feel you’ve had enough. At that point, walk again.
Fifth,  repeat this series of walking/jogging intervals for 30 minutes, or whatever duration you select.

If you stick with it, you’ll find over time that you can increase the jogging intervals and decrease the walking intervals until you can jog for the entire duration.

Jogging in California can include mountain trails, woods, city streets, beaches, and even the desert. Jogging at the beach is one of California’s favorite places, but the down side is that you’ll usually have to share the path with  bicyclists, skaters and beach-goers.

For serious joggers who want the ultimate challenge, there are nine more marathons you can sign up for in California this year. See runningintheusa.com

Oct 31, 2009  Napa Wine Country Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K in Calistoga, CA
Nov 7, 2009 Run Thru Roseville,    Roseville, CA
Nov 7, 2009  Stinson Beach Marathon, 25K & 7 Mile,  Stinson Beach, CA
Nov 8, 2009  Santa Clarita Marathon,  Santa Clarita, CA
Nov 8, 2009  Two Cities Marathon: Fresno-Clovis,    Fresno, CA
Nov 14, 2009  Run the River Ultramarathon, Marathon and 1/2 Marathon, Folsom, CA
Nov 15, 2009  Malibu International Marathon, Malibu, CA
Dec 5, 2009  Death Valley Borax Marathon,  Death Valley, CA
Dec 6, 2009  California International Marathon  Sacramento, CA