DANA POINT, Calif. -- Nestled halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, resting on the pristine shores of South Orange County, is Dana Point.

With nearly seven miles of coastline, Dana Point is ideal for beachgoers looking for the perfect beach and the perfect wave. Even more, it is recognized around the world for its breaks -- perfect waves curling at around 4 feet.

The yearly average temperatures vary between 64 degrees to 76 degrees making it perfect for year round fun in the sun. This was the setting for my Christmas break.

Many call Dana Point a travel destination or place for tourists looking for the alluring smell of the ocean and beautiful vistas. I call this place home. While the mountains of Utah are beautiful, nothing compares to the sand in between your toes and the wonderful smell of the ocean against the sound of crashing waves all around you. In this environment I lived and now I dream of returning if even for a brief moment.

My friend, Greg Doss - we call him "Shaggy" - took me around to the different surfing spots during the holidays. He described the waves on the day we visited Dana Point as "big and outta control" but cold and freezing. Shaggy should know, he's been surfing for years in this area, competing against the likes of Mike Stewart - international surfing champion, Keith Sasaki, a legend in body boarding, and Pat Caldwell, wounded-duck stylist in bodyboarding. Another is Ben Severson, a renowned surfer.

Christmas season isn't the perfect time to be out on the water, but compared to Utah's cold weather even 64 degrees feels good. The other opportunity is the beautiful, everlasting sunsets that ebb on forever when you're on the beach.

I feel at home when I am in the water. Whether I am surfing or sunbathing, nothing beats a day at the beach. There's a certain attitude the drifts back into you when you smell the surf, feel the sand and hear the roar.

When it comes to winters, cold weather photos filled with snow and winter white are great, but I took photos of beaches in and around my hometown to share with the students of BYU to show off the warm Christmas, and to show off that there is more than just mountains in the world.

Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Jan 2007