Ocean Shores, Washington began as a highly touted real estate development, but over the years it has settled into its present incarnation as a fine family resort town on the central coast of Washington State.

The 6,000 acre peninsula is just 75 miles west of the state capitol of Olympia and close enough to Seattle (132 miles) and Portland (165 miles) to draw weekend visitors year ’round. In fact, it’s Washington’s most visited seaside destination, with mile after mile of wide, sandy beaches completely open to the public.

Unfortunately, the water’s really too cold for swimming and the riptides are legendary, as are the 12 foot tidal surges that typically sweep the shore in July and December. The dramatic seascape is incredible, particularly during winter storms and, even though swimming is out, beachcombing is most definitely in at any time of the year. Check the beach our for yourself with the Ocean Shores WebCam

With over 20 miles of freshwater lakes interconnected by canals and several Washington State Parks nearby, the area is a haven for wildlife watchers, boaters and fisherfolk.

Ocean Shore’s other claim to fame are the Vegas-style casinos found there, compliments of the northwest Indian tribes indigenous to the area. One favorite vacation spot, run by the Quinault Nation, offers not just another casino, but a full-fledged Ocean Shores hotel with a family-friendly resort atmosphere, spa, several dining options and some of the best live entertainment offered in western Washington.

Olympic National Park is just a day trip away, as well, making Ocean Shores the ideal headquarters for your road trip to the Pacific Northwest.

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Cabo San Lucas is the most popular Baja getaway for tourists from the United States. As a result, it is very Americanized and commercialized. Depending on what you are looking for in a Mexican vacation, that may be either a good thing or a bad one.

The best thing about Cabo is the frequent, direct - and often cheap - airline service from several major hubs in the Western states, like Denver and LA. So getting there can be quick and easy, making it perfect for a long weekend or last minute sanity break.

Golf? Cabo has plenty of it, although the greens plopped down in the desert landscape often seem surreal or even arrogant.

Fishing? This is the place! Perched on the tip of Baja, Cabo is perfectly situated to take advantage of the superb sportfishing offered by both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. This is where the big boys go for the big fish.

Beaches? Aaaaah, the beaches. That’s what most of want from a Baja vacation, isn’t it? Sun, sand, surf, rest and relaxation. Beaches are where Cabo shines and luckily they are only a short stroll from wherever you happen to be when you’re in Cabo San Lucas.

Loreto is a small coastal city on the Sea of Cortez about 200 miles north of Cabo San Lucas and 700 miles south of the US border. As the second largest population center on the eastern side of the peninsula, it serves as the hub of commerce for a large area. The downtown area bustles with shops, restaurants and a very pleasant open air market well away from the traffic. Although it occasionally hosts a cruise ship, Loreto is much more popular among Mexican tourists than Americans.

The scenery around Loreto is truly dramatic. The Gigantica Mountain range rises 5,000 feet above the cobalt blue waters of the Sea of Cortez and the desert runs right up to the ocean. The coast is ideal for exploring in sea kayaks and the 800 square mile Loreto Bay National Marine Park is a haven for adventure tourists.

The hotels in Loreto may show well on the internet, but in general do not live up to US standards of maintenance, service and cleanliness. The trade-off, however, is a town with the motto, “Loreto, where even the sun is not in a hurry”. Who can resist a promise of rest and relaxation like that?

I suspect a road trip from California to Loreto, camping at quiet beaches along the way would be an experience to treasure. In the meantime, I’ll stick to the puddle jumpers that fly in and out of Loreto’s small, but adequate airport from Los Angeles, San Diego and the Mexican mainland. If you’d like to trek off the beaten path and enjoy scenery and adventure more than nightlife and pampering, give Loreto a try.

Loreto, Mexico’s main claim to fame is the incredible Bay of Loreto National Marine Park. The 800 square mile conservancy consists of a string of five pristine islands and is the largest of Mexico’s marine sanctuaries.

Loreto Bay includes Coronado, Del Carmen, Danzante, Montserrate and Santa Catalina islands and provides refuge for mother-of-pearl, starfish, sea urchins, fan coral, killer whales, blue whales, dolphins and sea lions.

The white sand beaches are exactly the kind you think of when you’re shoveling mountains of snow and the snorkeling is some of the best in the Americas. Small native pangas and sea kayaks are the best way to get around. You may camp on some of the islands, but the popularity makes reservations necessary.

The Marine Park originated as a grass roots effort by the people of Loreto, who prize and protect their unique ecosystem. The natives depend upon the Sea of Cortez for many things and live in harmony with it. Commercial and sportfishing is not permitted.

Maine Vacation Resource

The Maine Department of Transportation has a killer website about what to see and do in this diverse coastal state. It’s called Explore Maine and you’ll find this online resource helpful whether you plan to travel by air, car, bike, ferry, public transit or a combination of methods.