Should a SouthernCalifornian visit the FrenchRiviera?

Although I can't accurately predict whether you will be impressed or not, I can share my experience: I live right down the coast from you, and have spent time in the French Riviera from St. Tropez to Monaco, and I would return in a heartbeat and I'm sure I'd be as impressed as I have been when I've been before. I find that particular part of the world to be breathtakingly beautiful. Also, I see that you would want to stay away from large cities, but if you did decide to venture "into town" there is so much more to see there than the coastline: world-class art abounds, the old towns are charming, the boats in the harbor in Monaco make Newport Harbor look like a dinghy-dive (especially during race week), and the cuisine is a delight. For me, it's a great place to spend a week, whether it be in a village or one of the cities.

yeah but there are no Whataburgers, no In-n-Outs, no surfers and no oil wells. The roads are not straight, and beaches sometimes cost money. The scenery is OK if you like French scenery. I'd stay home. ((That leaves more room for me - ha ha))

Interesting that you should ask, Bob. I had travelled a lot in France before I ever saw Southern California, about which I had heard and read much, of course. My first and lasting impression upon driving on the Cal. coast was that I much preferred the French Riviera. I have never changed my mind.

I'm from Northern California (i.e. the prettier coast!) but have spent a lot of time in SoCal too and this question confuses me. Are you asking specifically about if the quality of beaches is the same? SoCal's beaches are more "perfect" in terms of huge expanses of sand...but the water is actually swimmable in France, no need to worry about hypothermia or great whites. But of course they're very very different because...you're in France. The scenery is beautiful (and does remind me of SoCal, you're in a Mediterrean climate in both, after all) but other than that they're worlds apart. I mean, literally.

In a word, 'yes' you should. (Ok, three words) I was on the Normandy beaches last D-Day, and found that very moving and beautiful. And in Burgundy, where I played at a music festival. That's the thing about France it packs the variety of the US into a Texas-sized nation. Great travels....
Ross in Denver

Bob, having lived in both northern and southern California and traveled on the French Riviera, I will hazard a comment. The buildings of places like San Tropez are so colorful, not at all like southern California. The beaches are mostly rocky-pebbles, not sand. The trees and landscape are much closer to Monterrey-Carmel than Laguna. I would not avoid the "cities" such as Cannes, St. Tropez, and Nice, although Monte Carlo is skipable. There are also hill towns like Eze and St Paul de Vence which are far different than anything in socal.

Impressed is a peculiar word to use in connection with travel. Frankly, I don't know what it means. If you travel to experience different countries and see new places, then go.

I am not excited about the stone beaches in some places along the french Riviers; but the scenery is gorgeous- very blue water, red rocks, green trees, and some interesting villages and towns I wouldnt go there to lie on the beach tough (actually I dont do much of that in Southern california either)

Well... I love Ca., but its not France.... I don't go only to see the beaches or the scenery...it's the whole experience and somehow it all looks more beautiful to me when I am in France. Plus, I don' think I hear everyone speaking French while I am in Ca....just adds to the ambience for me.

Irvine? Bob, I'm a CA native who has lived in SoCal for the last 22 years. Irvine is 11 miles in land from either city. The French Riviera's beauty makes Laguna and Newport simplistic OC beach towns. To meet your expectations try Vence or Saint Jean-Cap -Ferrat.

My brother spent years living in Manhattan Beach, CA. I know Laguna beach well, and I live on the East Coast. One coast/beach is not like others. Go to the French Riviera for the entire package. Go, if not for the history alone, which CA does not have. French Riviera makes me think of Matisse, Chagall, etc. I would recommend St Paul de Vence and Eze is my favorite.

Spent several weeks in southern CA and loved it. Absolutely spend a week in the French Riviera. You can make Nice your base and do daytrips from there. Great daytrips Ville Franche, Eze, Menton, and Antibes. Great transportation by bus or train and several a day. Wasn't that impressed with Cannes or Monaco. Totally different than southern CA. Go to www.flickr.com and see photos of the cities I listed above and old town Nice.

Bob - Count me among all the others (Del Mar from '57 to '87) who believe the French Riviera (or any other spot in France) has things to offer that OC or SoCal could only dream about.
If you do go, enjoy a drink on the patio at Chateau Eze overlooking the Med and tell me that SoCal has something similar.

California does have history, btw. The basic point is not that the French Riveria is more awesome than California, just that it's different and worth seeing.