Best Beaches, Water Falls , Lakes

Hi all,

When discussing Phoenix, Arizona, it’s difficult NOT to talk about weather! Whether you are in awe of the 300+ days of sunshine each year, asking about this “monsoon” you keep hearing about, or trembling in fear of the upcoming 100+ degree temperatures this summer…weather is almost always at the top of the list when talking about the Phoenix area.
The average high temperature in the Valley for June through August is over 100 degrees.

Most of us are able to take some time off to visit some cool places for the summer. Last summer I visited the Beach near Kasargod ( Kerala) near the Bekal Fort which in my humble opinion was the best, in terms of cleanliness and being less crowded.
I will post some pics soon. We also hiked down the Grand canyon and saw the Havasupai falls which was dazzling with pristine blue-green waters. I also like the Wailua falls a lot.

Please share which beaches , waterfalls and lakes that are your favorite.It will help all of us scorching in hot weather to bide the summer in a manner.

I cannot believe that after 26 views, no one has a favorite beach,waterfalls or lake that they can remember!!

Hi Usha,

I have seen the major waterfalls here in US and a few in India. My favorites are:

1. Hogenekal Waterfalls : Karnataka and Tamilnadu border
2. Jog falls: karnataka
3. Multnomah Falls: Portland. Oregon.
4. Bridal Veil Falls ( part of the Waterfall series of Multnomah) : i loved the mile and half trek through dense forest through to go the falls. Such serene surroundings, the air was so clean , and the smell of all the greenery.....

Though Niagara and Yosemite are all wonderful, i feel the sheer number of people who visit , kinds makes the magic go away.

I would love to visit Victoria falls ( Africa) , Iguassu and Angel falls in South America. Hope some day.

Now for lakes: Crater lake here in the US. Dal lake in Kashmir in India. Dal lake is so beautiful ( of course i visited some 20 years back) Not sure if it is still the same.

Beaches: In India my most favorite used to be Ganapati Phule in Maharashtra.
here in the US, I like the Oregon coast beaches a lot. Feel California beaches are too crowded and then northern CA, its more cliffs than beaches.

I have some pics of the Falls in Oregon. Will try to upload them.

Hi,
Virginia beach is the cleanest beach that I have ever seen. Sand in the beach is
crystal clear. Apart from NIAGARA falls, I remember one KODIVERI falls near
Sathyamangalam in TN. It is a small and picturesque. Tamil film CHINNATHAMBI
was taken near the falls and Bhavani sagar dam. I visited the falls a long time before,
nearly a decade.
Lake George in NY state is one of the beauties. It is very nice to visit in fall or summer season.

Hi Vandhana and Vidhyalakshmi

Thanks for sharing your favorite falls, beaches and lakes.
Vandhana, I could not agree with you more about the crowds at Niagara and Yosemite making the magic go away.
I have seen a few beautiful falls near Seattle, but cannot remember the names. I will have to check my scrapbook for the names.

Last year, we visited Jog falls. There was just a thin stream of water coming down. The commercial photographers were actually doing a computer simulation to make it look like a gigantic falls.

I agree California beaches are too crowded. I liked the beach at North shore, Kauai, but the waves are too intimidating to enjoy the peace and grandeur.

Hi Sundarusha,

I've not visited so many lakes,falls & beaches like you all...but in the short list of places that I had visited...

Marina Beach @ Chennai
Ooty lake
Kodaikanal Lake

All the beaches in California.

Half moon bay beach since it is not much crowded and we can spend quality family time here .This is my favorite!

San francisco beach- this is very very crowded
Pebble beach- beautiful and attractive...again not crowded
Santa Cruz Beach- This beach is a fun place to hang out but very noisy and crowded.
Kids have a wonderful time here!

Lake Tahoe- Extremely beautiful & Vast

Of course Niagara Falls- even though as many of mentioned that it is too crowded, I still feel we can feel the magic and bring it back with us.

Miami Beach- Beautiful and fun

All the lakes on the way to Niagara and near the Niagara falls city.

Have you seen Pittsburgh downtown? We can see so many lakes & bridges from the observation deck...marvelous sight.

Vancouver, BC,Canada has a lot of lakes & waterfalls..especially when we take a walk throught the Stanley Park..we can take in the beauty. Fantastic place ! Not able to remember the names..

Quincy, Boston- there is a small man made beach here that is ideal for a walk..one unique thing is that, there are no waves in this beach !

Will add more when I think of anything else!

Cheers
Krithika

Hi Krithika

I am yet to visit lake Tahoe.
But I do remember the calm boat ride on the Kodaikanal lake.
Michigan has a lot of beautiful lakes , again cannot remember the names. Will remember about Quincy and downtowmn Pittsburgh.

Cheers

Hi Usha,
You made me to recollect my visits to beaches and falls.

I remember BUSHKILL falls in Pennsylvania. It is locally called as
Niagra of Pen state. It consists of many falls but of small and beautiful.
We have to walk a lot to go around and I can`t recollect the names
except one, Bridal veil falls.

How I forgot our KUTRALAM falls in TN? Eventhough the falls are
wonderful in US, but we can`t take a dip in them. But Kutralam!!!
It is awesome, eventhough it is crowded. After the bath I slept
like a dead man(woman). Especially the OLD KUTRALAM is less
crowded and clean. That was a longtime before.

MIAMI beach especially south beach is always filled with tourists
throughout the year. But the sunshine in Miami gives joy and enjoyment.
Miami beach is the first beach that I visited in US.

Hi Vidhyalakshmi

I am going to keep Bushkill falls and kutralam in my wishlist of places to visit. Somehow, when I am near falls, beach and any water, it just lifts my spirits.
I remember Ho'olalaea falls in Kauai. One has to take a kayak ride on the Wailua river and a two-hour hike throught the rough woods up to the waterfalls which is well worth all the trouble. We were there a decade ago and the scene is still fresh in my mind.

Hi,
In southern california these r the beaches ive gone to..
Laguna beach-orange county
Venice beach
santamonica beach with pier
Long beach
Carlsbad,Sandiego beach

Of all the beaches i like santamonica and venice beach..