1. Beach time in Bah[SPECIAL_CHAR {237}]as de Huatulco: An undiscovered stretch of Mexican coast

So much beauty fills the nine aquamarine bays of Huatulco, on Mexico’s Oaxacan coast, the first sighting of one of its 36 pristine beaches might send you to your knees. Spend your days under a palapa with a margarita in hand and a sweetheart by your side. Or be as active as you want. Explore coral reefs and hike leafy jungles. See wildlife and nature preserves by boat or tour van. Head inland, into the small city of La Crucecita, and enjoy shopping and dining around its plaza. But expect those white-sand beaches to lure you back before long. — Lisa Taggart

INFO: Huatulco’s small airport receives a handful of flights a day. Most travelers from the U.S. fly to Mexico City (3½ hours from L.A.), then connect to Huatulco (a 1-hour flight). Contact the Office of Tourism (Blvd. Benito Juarez, Bahía de Huatulco; 958/581-0177). It’s roughly $35 to $50 for a cab from the airport to a hotel. Taxis are common in La Crucecita and nearby Santa Cruz, and rates between cities are fixed.

FUN

Bays tour. Operators walk the beach hawking boat tours to Bahía Cacaluta and Bahía Chachacual out of Santa Cruz, bus tours to Puerto Angel and Playa La Ventanilla, and jet-ski rides; don’t miss a water tour, since many beaches are only accessible by boat. Individual boat about $130 per day, group tour about $25 per person. Group tours through Huatulco Fiesta, on Calle Mitla in Santa Cruz; 958/587-0081.

National Mexican Turtle Center. The region is sea turtle central. Tours 10–4:30 Wed–Sat, 10–2:30 Sun; $1.50. In Mazunte; www.tomzap.com/turtle.html or 958/584-3376.

Playa La Ventanilla. See the new crocodile reserve during a boat tour of a mangrove swamp. 8–6 daily; about $3. 2 miles west of Mazunte.

Snorkeling. The best coral reefs are at Bahía Cacaluta and Bahía de San Agustín. Rent gear (about $7 a day) in Santa Cruz or through your hotel.

LODGING & DINING [CP][P] [SPECIAL_CHAR {161}]Ay Caray! Restaurant Bar & Grill. Casual beachfront eatery with fantastic fresh seafood; opens for visitors arriving by boat. $; typically serves lunch and dinner daily. 1 Playa Maguey, Bahía de Maguey.

Caf[SPECIAL_CHAR {233}] Huatulco. Outstanding coffee from local beans, local chocolate, and Oaxacan breakfast tamales at outdoor tables. $; breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. In Santa Cruz’s main park; 958/587-1228.

Camino Real Zaashila. At the north end of Tangolunda Bay, on a private small beach, the whitewashed luxury hotel has an enormous pool and 148 rooms with views. From $225. 5 Blvd. Benito Juarez, Bahía de Tangolunda; www.caminoreal.com or 800/722-6466.

Don Porfirio. Watch your meal cook at one of the sidewalk grills; excellent steaks and margaritas. $$; lunch and dinner daily. 24 Blvd. Tangolunda, Bahía de Tangolunda; 958/581-0001.

Quinta Real. The most luxurious lodging in the area, with 28 suites. The hotel’s Moorish domed towers are set back from the beach. From $225. 2 Blvd. Benito Juarez, Bahía de Tangolunda; www.quintareal.com or 866/621-9288.

Tostado’s Grill. Good seafood and tasty Oaxacan standards. $; breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 306 Flamboyan, La Crucecita; 958/587-1697.

Travel tip: The resort restaurants are excellent — but you can save a lot by dining at smaller, independent places in town.

Lisa Romerein
Shopping on chic Montana Avenue

Moments from LAX, breathe in the ocean air. And then get busy. Check out design stores and one-of-a-kind clothing boutiques along Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue or Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard. For more conventional shopping, stroll the Third Street Promenade. Take a long lunch at a nearby cafe. If you’re feeling adventurous, rent kayaks and jet skis in Marina del Rey. Want more? Explore Santa Monica Pier and Venice Boardwalk. Stop for tea at Jin Patisserie. Absorb art at Bergamot Station. Indulge at a Zen retreat. The perfect end to one of these perfect days? Decompress with a sunset cocktail at the Huntley’s 18th-floor restaurant bar before dining, then slowly sink into a comfy bed. — Kathryn Harris

INFO: Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau. 310/305-9545.

Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau. 800/544-5319, or 310/393-7593.

Venice Chamber of Commerce. 310/822-5425.

FUN

Bergamot Station. Art center with 37 galleries, a cafe, and the Santa Monica Museum of Art. 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica; www.bergamotstation.com

Marina Boat Rentals. Kayak rental from $15 per hour, jet skis $83 per hour. Fisherman’s Village, 13719 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey; 310/574-2822.

One the Spa. Nautically themed spa by celebrity skin guru Olé Henriksen. Spa treatments from $65. 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; www.shuttersonthebeach.com or 310/587-1712.

Third Street Promenade. Downtown Santa Monica’s heart; find shopping, dining, a movie theater, and street entertainers. www.thirdstreetpromenade.com or 310/393-8355.

LODGING & DINING[CP][P] Caf[SPECIAL_CHAR {233}] Del Rey. Pacific Rim cooking. $$$$; lunch Mon–Fri, dinner daily. 4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey; 310/823-6395.

Fairmont Miramar. Casual and elegant; bluff location. From $299. 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; www.fairmont.com/santamonica, 800/257-7544, or 310/576-7777.

The Huntley. Rooftop Toppers Restaurant ($$$) has great views of the ocean. 1111 Second St., Santa Monica; 310/393-8080.

Jin Patisserie. Handmade confections. Lunch ($$) and tea ($17) Tue–Sun. 1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; 310/399-8801.

Viceroy Santa Monica. Hipster haven near the beach. From $319. 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; www.viceroysantamonica.com or 800/670-6185.

Travel tip: The temperature can be cooler close to the beach — bring a sweater, pashmina, or jacket.