Outside Magazine's Top 10 Beach Getaways

— -- Outside Magazine has listed its 2006 Top 10 picks for beach getaways. Here's a look:

1. California: San Diego, Pacific Beach/Surfing

The miles of white sand beaches, swelling waves, and an eclectic dining and shopping district make San Diego's Pacific Beach one of the most popular stretches of sand in the Golden State -- 26 million people visited last year. The beach itself is wedged between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay Park, a 4,235-acre man-made aquatic fun-hub perfect for row-boats and beach volleyball. In one day, visitors can play with dolphins at nearby Sea World, catch a wave at Pacific Beach and dine on fresh seafood at one of 150 restaurants. To find out more, go to www.pacificbeach.org.

Sign up for a family-friendly surf lesson at the Paskowitz Surf School. Kids aged four and older are welcome. You'll learn water safety tips before you practice your surf techniques on land and in water. For more information go to www.paskowitz.com, or call (949) 728-1000.

Where to Eat: Flip-flops and bathing suits are welcome at Nick's at the Beach, a family-owned, California-style eatery where the menu ranges from seafood to savory apple brandy pork chops. As one loyal patron put it, it has "a little bit of everything -- just like San Diego." Go to www.nicksatthebeach.com or call 858-270-1730 to learn more.

Where to Eat: The Catamaran Resort Hotel has access to both beach and bay. When the tide is high, take the family to the calmer waters in Mission Bay where you can rent paddle boats and bicycles. Children ages 5 to 12 can learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, and sea urchins at the on-site Kid's Camp, while parents enjoy an 80-minute couples massage at the Catamaran Spa. Prices for doubles range from $185-$315. Go to www.catamaranresort.com to learn more.

With the San Diego Zoo and Sea World just minutes from the Pacific Terrace hotel is another popular spot for families. Suite prices range from $499. Call 858-581-3500 or go to www.pacificterrace.com to learn more.

There aren't many beachside wilderness camping options in San Diego, but just 10 miles southeast of downtown (and Sea World), you'll find Sweetwater Regional Park, with views of the Pacific and Sweetwater Reservoir, equestrian, hiking, and mountain biking trails, and more than 50 sites that accommodate everything from a 45-foot RV to a pup tent. Partial hookups cost $16 per night. Call 858-565-3600 or go to www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/camping/ for more information. Construction on nearby Route 125 will act as an automatic morning alarm.

2. North Carolina Cape Hatteras National Seashore/Kiteboarding

You'll find 70 miles of beautiful white sand beaches, green dune grass, blue ocean water, and not a lot of humanity -- the perfect place for your kids to practice their new kiteboarding obsession. Take a lesson with REAL Kiteboarding -- ranked by Outside magazine as one of the "Top Ten Adventure Camps in the World" -- which offers both daily lessons and weekly kiteboarding camps. Lessons start at $100; call 866-REAL-KITE or go to www.realkiteboarding.com.

Where to Eat: For overflowing plates of crab legs, shrimp and other delectables served on outdoor picnic tables, check out the local's favorite surf-and-turf hang out, The Mad Crabber (252-995-5959).

Where to Stay: Outer Beaches Realty (252-995-4447, www.outerbeaches.com) offers excellent deals on vacation rental homes ranging from two-bedroom beach boxes to 10-bedrooom/10-bathrooom beachfront mega-homes. They have the right accommodation for any size family and budget to make the most of your time at the beach. The Frisco and Cape Point campgrounds on Cape Hatteras are suitable for tents or RVs and are just minutes from the Cape Hatteras lighthouse and the kiteboarding action ($20 per day; www.nps.gov/caha/pphtml/camping.html).

3. Hawaii: Poipu, Kauai, Snorkeling

This is possibly the only resort area on the planet that consistently offers close-encounters with angels -- or at least angelfish -- within steps of your hotel room. The hot spots include Nukumoi Point, a reef thick with angelfish, striped damsels, moorish idols, black tangs and schools of canary-colored butterfly fish. Just be sure not to swim too close to Spouting Horn, a lava tube that spews saltwater 50 feet.

Kauai Snorkeling Tours offers three-hour tours of Kukuiulu Harbor in Poipu near Spouting Horn; three-hour private snorkeling charters, during which you might spot a humpback heading out into the Pacific; or a six-hour private tour of the precipitous Napali Coast (www.hawaiiwebdesign.com/kauai_snorkelingtours.htm).

Get the aerial layout of the island with Air Kauai Helicopters, an FAA-approved outfitter offering daily helicopter flights to places like Waimea Canyon, dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by Mark Twain (808-246-4666, www.airkauai.com). 

Where to Eat: Grab a frank--Hawaiian style--at Puka Dog, touted as a wiener haven, where the tropical relishes (choose from pineapple, coconut, mango,banana, or star fruit) will redeem every cent of airfare. (www.pukadog.com, 808-742-6044) 

Where to Stay: Whaler's Cove offers oceanfront luxury with its glass, marble, and private-terrace condos. Added bonus: Each unit comes with a hot tub and full kitchens (Doubles range from $370, 800-225-2683; www.whalers-cove.com).The 60-unit Poipu Kapili resort offers packages that include zip-line adventure, jungle kayak trips and waterfall excursions (Ocean-view two-bedrooms, from $320; kauai.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/poipu+kapili/).