The fine white sands on the California Coast (and particularly, at the Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove) are a beautiful, albeit non-tropical, place to enjoy the sun.

If you’re looking for a calm beach experience, there nothing stopping you from just laying out on a towel and reading a nice book in the sunshine, soaking in the beautiful coast in all its glory. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, you can rent surfboards and wetsuits from Asilomar and take a lesson, or just head out yourself.

The beach also has regulation beach volleyball courts for all your competitive setting and spiking desires. If you haven’t been in the water yet, taking a kayak on the water is a great way to get in without freezing to death—the water out here is cold.

There are also opportunities for deep-sea fishing: you can catch your dinner on one of the available deep sea fishing tours offered off the coast. And if you’re a champ at equalizing your ears and are looking for a little deep-sea action yourself, the California seaside has some incredible scuba diving. Just call up Monterey Bay Dive Charters for more information and scheduling.

The Asilomar State Beach and ocean beyond present plentiful opportunities for vacation adventures. Don’t forget to bring a towel!