California Dreamin'

It says so rightthere on one of those bumper stickers next to one of those personalized licenseplates, LIFE'S A BEACH. In Southern California, where every day is sun day,this passes for wisdom. The beach is home for everyone—lifeguards and bodygods, crazy surfers and lazy loafers. It's the place to hang in, hang out, hangloose and hang ten. But this stretch of California from San Diego to SantaBarbara has more than sand and sea and beach-bleached blonds. On these 21pages, SI takes a look at Southern California, home to everything fun-fun-funin the sun-sun-sun: sidewalk surfing and grass skiing, boccie balls and buckingbulls, rocks for jocks and, of course, wheels of all kinds.

ITSA GAS
Beach-volleyball hero Karch Kiraly gave it his all in the sand during therecent Palisades Open in Santa Monica.

MY OWNQT
Speeding wheels lit a smile at Dockweiler State Beach and launched a leggyskateboarder in Venice Beach.

ALL2HRD
Clinging to the lip, a surfer at the op Pro championships in Hunting Beachcarefully considers his next move.

4UHONEE
For those who claim there isn't anything rougher than riding those Los Angelesfreeways: Don't be too sure.

LA BODY
We posed the question: "Which way to Muscle Beach?" These six posed theanswer: "By way of Gold's Gym."

EASYLFE
Getting up or getting or simply getting out, every Californian knows that lifein all forms can be a ball.

JST KDIN
California hip: Skiers cut the grass, cyclists ride bareback, and evenlandlocked ancient mariners sail on.

HI ON USA
Peerless Ron Kauk climbed in Santa Barbara; Barton Lynch, Trying To staypierless, rode to a win in the op.

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RICHARD MACKSON

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PETER READ MILLER

TWO PHOTOS

AARON CHANG

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GEORGE OLSON

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JOHN MCDONOUGH

THREE PHOTOS

DANA FINEMAN

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HEINZ KLUETMEIER

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ANDY HAYT

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V.J. LOVERO

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GALEN ROWELL

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ROBERT BECK

EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS