3b - Beaches: Half Moon Bay and Santa Monica State Beaches

Half Moon Bay State Beach

Santa Monica State Beach

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

See Title Above.

2. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_beaches

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Monica_State_Beach

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_Moon_Bay_State_Beach

3. Contains an explanation regarding how this component (any aspect of it; eg content of videos, content of websites) connects to your study of humanities. .25 point

Connecting California beaches to the study of humanities is generally more difficult than observing correlations between the humanities and other objects. If I were to select an aspect of California beaches that relates to the aforementioned study, I would probably bring notice to the beaches various and mixed nature – geographical function and recreational function – and how this may provide an outlet for human expression. Beaches have performed a service for humanity and continue to function in a similar manner today. Beaches and other analogous venues have been utilized for their recreational value as far back as Victorian England, however such a purpose was restricted due to various beliefs that pervaded the recreational activity, including the dress (for swimming) which was thought of as immodest. As will be seen, not one beach is alike another, although similarities do exist. While they all reside on the Pacific coast in California, there are many differences that can be sought. Comparisons and contrasts will be discerned using the following questions below.

4. Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:
a. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point

One of the interesting things about beaches is that they represent a stereotype themselves in connection to the state of California. When people cogitate, reflect, and think about California, they will usually think about the beaches and the culture that is so prevalent in popular portrayal of the state. The 1960's music group The Beach Boys are also an excellent source when pursuing the stereotypes of California beaches. Many of their songs revolve around that particular geographical concept and as a result, helped instigate the modern day notions concerning California and it's National Park system (beaches).

b. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

Three things that make the beaches of Santa Monica and Half Moon Bay similar are:

1. They both reside on the California's Pacific Coast.

2. These two beaches are both considered apart of the California State Park system.

3. They both possess similar amenities for the patrons.

c. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 pointThree things that make the beaches of Santa Monica and Half Moon Bay different include:

1. Santa Monica State Beach is in Los Angeles county and Half Moon Bay State Beach is in San Mateo county.

2. While hot weather seldom occurs at Half Moon Bay beach (69 degree Fahrenheit average) it is quite common at the Santa Monica State Beach (73.2 degree Fahrenheit average).

3. Half Moon Bay beach has been identified as a greater marine environment and habitat for wildlife than Santa Monica beach.

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point

I would like to be more informed about the wildlife that inhabits these various California beaches. I understand that beaches provide a function concerning recreation for Californians, but they also are important homes for the diverse wildlife that permeates their entireties. Considering the presence of wildlife in these beach regions, I was wondering whether or not sharks are a prominent problem, for an example at Santa Monica and Half Moon Bay State beaches. Are these sharks a problem for the patrons?

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

Somethingng that I learned from a classmate last week concerns two cities transportation systems. According to Sierra's blog (http://sierradotcom.blogspot.com/2009/03/3a-boston-and-san-francisco.html) both San Francisco and Boston have underground transportation with similar titles used to designate the service. I can't really claim this to be a common experience, I had little opportunity so far in my twenty years of life to ride on trains or other related transportation methods. This is in relation to a cultural aspect of our study of humanities. Transportation connects people, thus it connects and assimilates culture and diversity.

Sierra's Blog Link: http://sierradotcom.blogspot.com/2009/03/3a-boston-and-san-francisco.html