@MaineLonghorn - I see many tourists especially children going in the ocean at all times of the year. My H and his beach volleyball friends swim after they play without wetsuits. The only thing that stops them is if the water has a do not swim due to bacteria sign. My H is also one who always brings a swim suit on every trip because you never know.
Though I agree May isn’t considered swimming weather in Ca. I think September is ideal.
I was walking the beach this morning picking up sand dollars and a few people were braving the water (Mission Beach San Diego). They weren’t really swimming though; mostly just playing around in the surf and breaking waves.
My favorite beach destination was always Sanibel - loved walking the beach shelling, laying around the pool, browsing the cute shops, and having a casual dinner before everything shut down. It’s as relaxing as it gets. But also a fan of Naples (although very hard to park near the beaches in season) and Siesta Key/Sarasota. We’ve been to both Florida coasts a lot but I’m more partial to the Gulf coast.
“I have a photo of my sons running into the ocean in San Diego at the beginning of January one year. I did notice that they were the only ones in the water!”
Maybe some penguins might have enjoyed the water with them, but that’s about it.
Eh, I just googled San Diego’s water temp in Jan and the search page tells me it’s about 60. (That’s definitely too cold for my 80 degree water loving body to enjoy without a wet suit.) However… if one goes to Nova Scotia in late June one can easily see natives swimming (bikinis and all) in lower 50 degree water. My ankles were numb.
We were at Crater Lake on Wizard Island when a fellow visitor opted for a swim knowing the water was frigid and telling us ahead of time not to worry. She was used to and loves cold water.
I suppose it’s all perspective.