beach

A UK HOLIDAY park that’s been compared to Portugal has reopened for the season – along with a £1million upgrade.

Ladram Bay Holiday Park in Budleigh Salterton, Devon is now open with some big new changes.

Onsite are now 13 new modern holiday homes, which will all have three bedrooms.

Dubbed the Lobster Lodges, they are the most spacious lodges onsite and feature luxury interiors with a double bedroom, a bedroom with two single beds and also a sofa bed.

The best part though is that each lodge has a hot tub on the decking with amazing views of the coastline.

The children’s outdoor play area, which features a pirate ship dubbed ‘NaNa of Ladram’ has been rebuilt and the indoor soft play has been updated as well.

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The Beach Shack is being upgraded too, with a typical seaside feel inside including an ice cream counter and is set to open by the summer.

Those who like to boogie will be happy to hear the park has also launched silent discos.

And as the summer approaches, there will be new outdoor furniture and speakers at the Pebbles restaurant for events and the splash park will reopen.

The family-run holiday park sits on the top of a cliff and is home to around 140 caravans as well as three apartments, safari tents and glamping pods and a renovated former fisherman’s cottage.

The Sun’s Executive Daily News Editor, Emma Glanfield, recently visited Ladram Bay Holiday Park.

She said: “With a glass of wine in hand, watching the sun set over the sea as clear waters lap the shore, I could have been in the Algarve.

“But no, rather than basking in Portugal, I was holidaying with the family at a caravan park on east Devon’s Jurassic Coast.”

Emma added: “Ladram overlooks a gorgeous section of the coast and even has its own private beach — accessible only to guests, via a slipway at the bottom of the park.”

“As well as an on-site gym, huge outdoor adventure playground, indoor soft-play centre and enormous amusement arcade, the park also boasts pottery and art classes in its new studio.

“The indoor pool is magnificent — one of the cleanest I’ve ever known — and offers free family playtimes as well as exercise classes.

“The adjoining outdoor splash park is brilliant, too, for cooling off on a hot day, while the indoor fun slide kept us all entertained — even the grandparents.

“That’s before you even start on the evening entertainment in Waves Bar — with bingo, a pool table, darts, kids’ disco, singers and the Ladram Stars Showtime.

“And when we visited Portugal just a few weeks later, I looked out at the coastline, from our accommodation, and realised it didn’t look too different at all from that special view back at Ladram.”

Currently, you can get 20 per cent off stays at the park by using the code ‘DEVON20’.

In the local area, there are a number of attractions guests can visit.

For example, the holiday park sits on the South West Coast Path which featured in the recent Salt Path film and is ideal for breezy walks with views of the coast.

Then just down the road is Crealy Theme Park, which is great for kids who aren’t ready for big rollercoasters – like those found at Thorpe Park or Alton Towers – quite yet.

There are over 60 attractions to explore at the park, including the Maximus train rollercoaster and the Tidal Wave log flume.

Travel reporter Cyann Fielding visited the park many times growing up.

She said: “Crealy Theme Park is great no matter the weather as it has an even amount of indoor and outdoor attractions.

“Outside, the Maximus rollercoaster is a great introduction to rides for children – it is slick and smooth, but not too jolty or fast.

“The Tidal Wave log flume is a bit more of a thrill – but definitely leave it until last as you will get soaked (though the park has drying machines you stand in that you can pay for).”

If you want to explore more of the Devonshire coastline, then a short drive away from Ladram Bay is also the seaside town of Sidmouth, which has a large pebble beach.

Another beach to head to in Sidmouth that is the more secluded Jacob’s Ladder Beach which has red sand, rock pools and dramatic cliffs.

And nine miles down the road at the park’s sister site – Castle Brake, near Woodbury – there are also £300,000 improvements.

The park now has a new static caravan area with two holiday lodges.

The park also has new roads and hard-standing bases making it suitable for a mix of two-bed and three-bed static caravans.

In other holiday park news, these are the nine most popular Hols From £9.50 holiday parks of last year – as booking opens for 2026.

Plus, one of the UK’s most popular holiday parks reveals mega £50million expansion.

Spring is a great time to go on holiday, but it does come with a certain level of risk

Spring makes for a brilliant time to get away, though it does carry a certain element of unpredictability. The weather during the spring months can be rather capricious and while some holidaymakers don’t mind a spot of rain, others prefer to dodge it wherever possible.

According to the Met Office, Britain experiences rainfall on between 170 and 180 days annually on average – that’s nearly every other day. In a bid to escape the drizzle, Parkdean Resorts has examined Met Office data, geographical details and shelter options to identify the most rain-proof beaches across the nation. Each beach was then assigned a ‘rain-proof’ rating out of 100.

Topping the list is Bournemouth on the Dorset coastline, achieving a score of 95. The seafront spans seven miles, making it the ideal location for natural protection from showers, with plenty of indoor amenities to duck into when the heavens open, reports the Express.

This seaside spot is hugely popular with British holidaymakers, who rave about its stunning golden sands, the pier and famous cliffs. Boasting a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor, it’s a magnet for visitors.

One reviewer wrote on TripAdvisor: “The beach at Bournemouth is a timeless slice of the British seaside. Stretching seven miles, its soft sands evoke memories of fresh sea air, melting ’99’ flakes, and arcades. From the iconic cliff lifts to the vibrant Lower Gardens, it remains a haven of nostalgia.

“Whether tracing the shoreline or watching the sunset, it’s a place where the simple joys of summer never truly fade. Always plenty to do and places to go nearby.” Another wrote: “Bournemouth Beach is stunning – soft golden sand, clean water, and a lovely promenade with great views. The beach was well-maintained, and there were plenty of facilities nearby. Perfect for a relaxing day out, whether you’re swimming, sunbathing, or just strolling along the shore.”

The south coast commands the rankings, so for a seaside escape unlikely to be marred by downpours, consider seeking out a location somewhere along Devon or Dorset’s coastline.

The north coast of Wales also proves remarkably sheltered, with two destinations featuring in the top 10.

Practitioner psychologist Ravi Gill discussed the significance of heading outdoors with Parkdean Resorts – regardless of the conditions.

She said: “A holiday isn’t ruined by rain. It’s shaped by how we respond to it. Let go of perfection: shift your mindset from ‘Perfect weather’ to ‘Flexible fun’ – disappointment often comes from a mismatch between expectation and reality.

“If we mentally attach the holiday to blue skies, anything else feels like a loss. Instead, frame the trip around experiences rather than weather, using phrases like ‘we’re going to explore, we’re going to slow down and rest’.”

Simply because there’s rainfall doesn’t mean your getaway has to be ruined and actually, Ravi suggested it could even enhance it.

She explained: “We forget rest doesn’t need sunshine. In fact, rain can help slower, indoor moments often allow deeper conversations, board game evenings or afternoon naps – genuine nervous system down-regulation.”

The UK’s best rain-proof beaches

Bournemouth Beach — South West England — 95

Exmouth Beach — South West England — 94

Weymouth Beach — South West England — 93

Woolacombe Beach — South West England — 92

Paignton Sands — South West England — 90

Sandbanks Beach — South West England — 88

Llandudno North — Wales — 87

Bridlington South — Yorkshire and the Humber — 87

Rhyl Beach — Wales — 85

Portobello Beach — Scotland — 85

SHAKIRA suffered major tech issues during her huge Copacabana Beach concert over the weekend.

The global superstar faced backlash as eagle-eyed viewers spotted the mishaps during the performance.

An estimated 2 million people attended the show in Rio De Janeiro, where the popstar delivered a nearly 30-song set that included guest appearances by Anitta, Maria Bethania, and Caetano Veloso.

Although she performed in style, the sound and visuals didn’t match up at times.

Clips from the gig quickly went viral on X, but while some viewers were left disappointed, others weren’t surprised, saying it’s common at large-scale shows.

Taking to X, one person said: “If ur gonna lip at least make it believable”.

SHAK SHOCK

Shakira slammed for VERY cold reaction as cameraman falls over in front of her

STAGE HORROR

Worker crushed to death while building stage for Shakira’s Rio de Janeiro show

Another added: “This is genuinely a f******* mess”.

The Colombian singer’s performance follows similar shows by Lady Gaga last year and Madonna in 2024, which were also attended by huge crowds.

“I arrived here when I was 18 years old, dreaming about singing for you,” Shakira told the crowd. “And now look at this. Life is magical.”

She sang several fan favourites during her set, including Hips Don’t Lie, La Tortura, Waka Waka, Whenever Wherever, She Wolf and La Bicicleta.

The show also featured a massive drone show, which amazed the crowd.

Despite being a free concert, Shakira’s show was expected to generate an estimated $150 million in tourism revenue to the city, according to local government.

This isn’t the first mishap the pop star has had live on stage.

In February, Shakira suffered a nasty fall during a live stage performance, with the singer twisting her ankle in the middle of her concert.

She was performing in San Salvador when she left fans worried during a mid-song tumble.

Singing her hit song Si Te Vas during the night, Shakira was walking across the stage when her right ankle suddenly twisted.

She then completely toppled to her side, falling onto her elbow as she brought her microphone stand down with her.

During the moment, Shakira stopped singing as gasps could be heard amongst the audience.

But ever the professional, she quickly got herself back up and managed to continue the song – with the star’s band continuing as her guitarist cheered her on.

Travel writer Emma Cooke has recommended a perfect day trip, a charming East Sussex seaside town with a cliff Railway, pretty cherry blossoms, and seafront brunch with no queues

With summer just around the corner, you might be thinking about a day out by the sea, or even a longer seaside holiday. One travel influencer has the ideal recommendation for a destination with a lot to offer, from relaxing on the beach, to travelling on a cliff railway.

London travel writer Emma Cooke shared footage of an East Sussex coastal town, highlighting the cliff railway, charming beach huts, spectacular hilltop panoramas, and beautiful cherry blossoms.

She explained: “POV: You got on a £15 train out of London and less than two hours later found a crowd-free seaside town full of cherry blossom. There’s an old town packed with bookshops and bakeries, £1.70 clifftop tea, seafront brunch with no queues, perfect beach sunsets, and almost every sight is free or under £5.”

The destination in question is the south coast resort town of Hastings, in East Sussex. Tourism website 1066 Country says: “To soak up Hastings’ history, wander the preserved Old Town’s winding streets and tiny twittens, crammed with Tudor houses and flower-bedecked cottages, and inhale the hard-working fishing quarter with its towering net huts and ramshackle huts on the beach.”

A ‘twitten’ is a Sussex term for a narrow passageway or alley nestled between two buildings, typically leading to courtyards, streets, or open spaces beyond, reports MyLondon.

The site goes on: “Heading west, the alternative vibe continues as you arrive in St Leonards. Purpose-built in the 1800s by James and Decimus Burton as a genteel seaside resort for the aristocracy, its architecture provides a striking backdrop for art galleries, antique shops, chic boutiques and a thriving café culture.”

It further states: “Hastings Old Town lies in a valley between the East and West Hills, each with their own funicular railway.

“Take the East Hill Lift from the fishing beach up to Hastings Country Park, where on clear days you can see from Beachy Head to Dungeness and as far as Folkestone and the coast of France.

“Take the West Hill Lift from George Street, up through a tunnel of rock to emerge into the tranquil light of another world.

“Explore Smugglers Adventures at a labyrinth of caverns hidden deep within the West Hill, packed with the thrilling history of smugglers, bootleggers and warring bloodthirsty gangs.”

Commenters were brimming with praise for the town. One declared: “I live here and it’s amazing.”

Another posted: “Hastings is wonderful.” And someone else said: Gorgeous place and lovely people. I recommend Hastings.””

A different person responded: “Never expected to see my hometown in one of your travel reels. Where is the £1.70 tea from?!”

Emma replied: “The little tea van up on top of west hill lift! Think it’s just called ‘kiosk’.”

The Redondo Beach Pier reopened Sunday afternoon, hours after police and city officials ordered its evacuation for reasons law enforcement has declined to disclose.

The Redondo Police Department issued its initial evacuation order at about 11 a.m. through the city’s alert system.

“Police Activity on the Pier. Anyone in the area of the pier is requested to evacuate safely,” the statement read. “Catalina [Avenue] between Torrance [Boulevard] and Beryl [Street] are closed. Please stay away from the pier area until further notice.”

The department issued an update on X at 11:57 a.m. saying that the pier would remain closed until further notice.

At 2:21 p.m., the department sent out another message through the city’s alert system saying that police activity had concluded and that pier and its surrounding area were once again open to the public.

Redondo Beach City Councilmember Brad Waller weighed in on the evacuation in the comments section of BeachLife’s initial postponement announcement on Facebook.

“There was a threat made to the pier, and the area was evacuated to allow the police and dogs to clear the area,” Waller wrote. “Police are still going over the pier area and have expanded to BeachLife. There was no threat made to BeachLife, but out of an abundance of caution, they want to ensure that the area is safe before thousands of people enter. The pier area and BeachLife space were searched, and nothing was found. BeachLife should be ready to open and proceed.”

The Times has reached out to the Redondo Beach Police Department for more information.

The evacuation came on the last day of the Redondo Beach-set BeachLife Festival, which was scheduled to open at noon and feature performances by My Morning Jacket, Peach Pit, Sheryl Crow and James Taylor.

In a social media announcement, organizers for the festival said the start of Sunday’s event would be delayed at least an hour.

“Safety comes first. In cooperation with our public safety professionals in the City, out of an abundance of caution, we have coordinated to temporarily delay doors until 1 p.m. due to ongoing police activity on the Redondo Pier near Torrance Boulevard,” BeachLife wrote in the statement.

In a subsequent post that went live at 1:43 p.m., the organization said it had been given the all-clear to open its doors to the public.

“Per the direction of local safety officials, we have been given the go ahead to safely open doors momentarily,” the statement said. “We appreciate the patience from our community and look forward to a wonderful of day of sun, fun, and great music.”

Nestled along the British coastline is a paradise for rock poolers and fossil hunters — and Conde Nast Travel has named it one of the seven wonders of Wales

While Rhossili Bay typically steals the limelight with its three-mile stretch of sand in the Gower National Landscape, this cherished bay is what many locals regard as Wales‘ true hidden gem.

Conde Nast Travel recently unveiled what they deem the seven wonders of Wales, compiled by a Welsh-born traveller, and Dunraven Bay secured its place as one of the nation’s essential destinations.

According to the publication, this is where residents head when seeking a peaceful coastal escape. And, with scenery comprising dramatic cliffs, limestone formations and weathered rock faces, it’s easy to understand why.

Tucked away in Southerndown within the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, the stunning bay is frequently called Southerndown Beach, adopting the name from its neighbouring village.

It boasts some of the finest rock pools along the Welsh coast and is consequently a favourite location for crabbing and fossil hunting. Young children delight in exploring the shallow pools and discovering treasures, as families flock to the bay for a day on the sand.

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One previous visitor shared their experience on TripAdvisor, writing: “We visited Dunraven Bay last Saturday; it was an amazing trip to a beautiful beach. The rock pools are super; we found some very interesting items, including an intact Gryphaea, one of the genera known as ‘devil’s toenails’.

“The beach is very clean, and the sand leading up to the sea is soft. There is a beachside shop that sells hot and cold drinks and ice cream, along with a picnic area for those with their own food.”

Visitors to the beach will find a generously sized, conveniently situated pay-and-display car park, along with toilet facilities. The bay also boasts a charming café and restaurant, perfect for a leisurely lunch or light bite, and rounding off the quintessential seaside experience, there’s an ice-cream kiosk.

A further visitor shared: “Absolutely beautiful. Especially if you’re a tourist hoping to get good photos of a beach. I went alone, and for the most part, I felt completely safe. There are pockets of people and people alone just hoping to enjoy the sun during low tide.”

History and folklore

The bay was once thought to have been an ancient Iron Age hillfort, which subsequently became Dunraven Castle, a structure that has long since disappeared. In its place lie the crumbling ruins of the castle and its former walled garden, tucked away from the shoreline.

The bay is steeped in mysterious legend, notably that of the ‘wreckers of Dunraven’, who were said to have cunningly fastened lanterns to sheep in order to lure passing vessels. They would draw the ships towards Tuskar Rock before swooping in to plunder their cargo.

The most notorious ‘wrecker’ was one Walter Vaughan, who, following tremendous personal loss and financial devastation, turned to ‘wrecking’ out of sheer desperation.

To evade detection, legend suggests that no sailors or boat crew survived the wrecking, as they would routinely kill those onboard once they reached the shore.

Some claim that on the anniversary of his son’s death, Vaughan’s ghost returns to the beach, and those passing by can hear his chilling wails.

GULF SHORES, Ala. — Sally Perez and Maggie Boyd won the clincher as UCLA swept top-seeded Stanford 3-0 on Sunday to win the Bruins’ third NCAA beach volleyball championship.

Perez and Boyd wrapped up the Bruins’ first championship since winning back-to-back titles in 2018-19, beating the Cardinal’s Kelly Belardi and Avery Jackson 21-11, 21-19.

Kaley Mathews and Ensley Alden got third-seeded UCLA (33-6) off and running with a 21-16, 21-11 victory over Brooke Rockwell and Ruby Sorra.

Ava Williamson and Jesse Dueck gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead in the closest match of the day, beating Indigo Clarke and Clara Stowell 21-17, 25-23.

The UCLA tandems of Alexa Fernandez and Harper Cooper as well as Kenzie Brower and Mallory LaBreche were also winning their matches when they became unnecessary.

It was the first championship for UCLA coach Jenny Johnson Jordan, who took the reins in 2023. Stein Metzger led the Bruins to their first two titles. Johnson earned her 100th career win when the Bruins beat No. 2 Texas 3-2 in their semifinal on Saturday.

Stanford (39-4) was aiming for its first championship, advancing to the title match under coach Andrew Fulller with a 3-1 victory over No. 5 Florida State in the semifinals.

UCLA beat No. 2 Texas 3-2 in the other semifinal.

USC has won six of 10 championships since the event began in 2016.

TCU ended a four-year run by the Trojans last season when the Horned Frogs beat Loyola Marymount for the title. The tournament wasn’t played in 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FANCY holiday abroad vibes without actually leaving the country?

There’s some great hotels across the UK that feel like you’re somewhere like the Med or even Miami – so we’ve rounded up some of the best.

Roslin Beach Hotel, Southend -on-Sea

Roslin Beach Hotel is on the sandy beach of Thorpe Bay Beach is often compared to places in the US.

One previous guest said: “We could have been staying on the Florida Keys”.

It’s not the first time Southend-on-Sea has been compared to the US either.

In 2023, Tory councillor Daniel Nelson told the Southend Echo that tourism events played an important role “in the reinvigoration of the city and that Southend has the potential to become a Miami-on-Thames.”

PLAY ON

English beach hotel named best for families with huge play barn & free babysitting

SEA YOU THERE

I stayed at the affordable seaside hotel right by the train station

The Gallivant, Sussex

The Hamptons is known for its white wooden buildings and sandy beaches. And The Gallivant in Camber Sands is often said to be similar.

The American comparison to the Essex seaside is because of the shaker style it’s built in – and you can even book a room called the ‘Large Hampton’.

Not only that, but the dune-backed beaches of Camber Sands are a spitting image of the ones in Montauk, a hamlet in East Hampton.

The Times said “think New York’s Hamptons by way of Camber Sands” while House & Garden added it “brings a bit of the Hamptons and Scandi-vibe to Sussex”.

The Nici, Bournemouth

If you’ve ever wanted a slice of Miami without wanting to leave the country, then why not head to… Bournemouth?

The Nici Hotel, found on the seafront of the seaside town, opened in 2022.

There’s the South Beach Restaurant, which serves “champagne afternoon teas and classics with a Miami twist”.

Otherwise other nods include retro cocktail cabinets in the rooms, faux palm trees throughout and even art of Che Guevara.

Previous guests have raved about it too – one said: “Beautiful setting and very cool decor. Feels like Miami!”

Gara Rock, Devon

A rarity in the UK, Gara Rock has its own private swimming pool overlooking the ocean more comment in the Med.

Grab some pizza and a glass of rose wine and you’ll feel like you’re hundreds of miles away.

It even has a private beach too, if you fancy an ocean dip, or plash out on a “beach butler” and you can get unlimited cocktails delivered straight to you.

Hotel Tresanton, Cornwall

In St Mawes is Hotel Tresanton and at first glance may not look much like Italy, but head down to the hotel’s own Beach Club which overlooks the cliffs and, with the blue and white striped umbrellas, will transport you straight to the Italian Riviera.

The website states: “The Mediterranean style brings a feel of the Amalfi coast, with blue and white striped umbrellas and semi-tropical planting.”

Or, splash out on the classic Italian sailing yacht–Pinuccia where you can spend the night onboard with dinner and breakfast – and a bottle of champagne.

One person even said:  “It’s like a perfectly decorated small Italian hotel on the Amalfi Coast but further north on the sea in Cornwall.”

Art’otel, London

One of the new hotels to open in the Battersea Power Station, Art’otel has some of the best views from the top.

The rooftop infinity pool could even double for Dubai, with its luxury sunloungers and skyscraper views.

Of course, it is usually only open to hotel guests although they do have some open events to non-guests.

This includes as aqua aerobics, aqua board pilates and yoga, all of which come with breakfast and start from £25.

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Park Holidays UK Sand le Mere, Yorkshire

This holiday park in Yorkshire is a thriving family resort, just steps from Tunstall Beach. Entertainment is what this resort does best, with costume character performances, Link-up Bingo and cabaret shows. Accommodation ranges from fully-equipped Gold Caravans to Platinum Lodges with sun decks and luxury bedding.

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St Ives Bay Beach Resort, Cornwall

This beachfront resort in St Ives, Cornwall is a true beach bum’s paradise – whether you want to laze out on the sand, or take to the waves for some surfing. Activities include disc golf, a Nerf challenge and an outdoor cinema, as well as indoor activities for the colder months like karaoke, bingo and DJ sets.

BOOK A BREAK

Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, Northampton

This holiday park has loads of unique activities on offer, including TikTok dance classes, alpaca feeding, a pump track for BMX riding, and taking a ride on the resort’s very own miniature railway. Throw in bug hotel and den building, pond dipping, survival skills workshops and a lake for paddleboard and pedalo hire, and you’ve got yourself an action-packed park.

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Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands, Sussex
This beachfront resort is a classic family favourite. If you’re not up to swimming in the sea, there’s four fantastic pools here, as well as water flumes, underwater jets, inflatable jet skis and kayak races. Plus if you’ve got any little fans of Paw Patrol or Milkshake!, you’ll be glad to know there’s Milkshake! Mornings and Paw Patrol Mighty Missions to keep your tots entertained.

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Ruby Cochrane and Olga Nikolaeva epitomized the mindset Mira Costa brought to Saturday afternoon’s Southern Section Division 1 girls’ beach volleyball championship match at Long Beach City College.

Trailing 13-9 in the deciding third set of their match against JSerra’s top duo of Sara Moynihan and Emma Champagne, the Stanford-bound seniors rallied to win the last six points and complete the Mustangs’ 5-0 sweep to reclaim the title they lost 3-2 to league rival Redondo Union last spring.

“We wanted to end our senior year with a bang and not be the only pair to lose,” Cochrane said.

Upon receiving the championship plaque, players formed a circle and took turns kissing it as they passed it around.

Mira Costa captured its third title in four tries since the CIF sanctioned the sport in 2023 and when you add the eight Interscholastic Beach Volleyball League titles the Mustangs won prior to that they deserve to be called queens of the beach.

Our coach was like, ‘you’re capable of coming back,’ so we had to do it,” Nikolaeva added. “Ruby is one of my best friends and we have a great bond.”

The Mustangs’ other four tandems each won in straight sets — Allyn Hilt and Lily Sprague at No. 2; Lily Vandeweghe and Lucy Matuszak at No. 3; Sofia Sala and Samantha Nammack at No. 4 and Lily Enfield and Lerin Rosenthal at the No. 5 spot.

Mira Costa (24-1) is 75-3 in four seasons of CIF Southern Section competition, including 67-0 against every team other than Redondo Union, against which it holds an 8-3 advantage. The Mustangs improved to 5-0 against the Lions (17-3), who upset Redondo Union in the semifinals.

The Mustangs have won 14 of 15 sets in their three Division 1 finals victories.

DIVISION 2

Bishop Montgomery, making its first finals appearance, prevailed 3-2 over Edison thanks to the heroics of sophomore twins Hailey and Alyssa Waters, who clinched the championship with a 13-21, 21-17, 15-12 victory over the Chargers’ tandem of Sydney Kershaw and Emery Oakes.

“Being twins causes fighting but we’ve always played together and our connection makes us stronger,” Alyssa said.

“Before that last set we took a minute to talk to each other,” Hailey added. “We knew what we were doing.”

The Knights’ No. 1 duo of sisters Stacy and Stephanie Balestrieri and the No. 4 duo of Kendall McKechnie and Carli Duda both won in straight sets.

DIVISION 3

Freshmen Hannah Martin and Lucy Morris earned the decisive point with a 21-16, 22-20 win on Court 5 in Long Beach Millikan’s 4-1 triumph over Windward.

“We didn’t know the score or what was going on in the other matches,” Martin said. “:Lucy and I were just focusing on ours. We’re really close friends but this is our first time playing together in CIF. We both play indoor too but in beach you have to have more trust because it’s only two of you.”

Madison Jones and Johanna Swerdloff won 21-17, 16-21, 15-8 at No. 2, Bella Bonales and Estale Lopez won 21-15, 21-18 at No. 3 and Olivia Vits and Samantha Guman won 21-12, 21-15 at No. 4 for the Rams (14-7), who lost to Long Beach Wilson in the Division 2 final last year.

Millikan is the third Moore League school to win a Southern Section title in the brief history of the sport, joining Wilson and Long Beach Poly, who won Divisions 2 and 3 last year. The Bay League is only other with multiple champions (Mira Costa and Redondo Union).

DiVISION 4

In the first finals appearance for both programs, Oak Park swept the last four courts to claim the inaugural Division 4 crown against Campbell Hall, a Division 3 semifinalist last season. Seniors Athena Trewyn and Kaela Raquel won 19-21, 21-19, 15-12 on Court 3 to notch the clinching point for the Eagles (11-5).

“We’ve never made it past the quarterfinals and we didn’t even make the playoffs last year,” said second-year coach Josh Giron, whose team practices at North Ranch Playfield in Thousand Oaks, a 30-minute drive from campus. “We have one court for 20 girls and sometimes we have to cancel practice because another team’s using it.”

It’s time for Mira Costa to try to wipe away the disappointing memory from last season’s Southern Section Division 1 girls’ beach volleyball final, where the Mustangs lost to Redondo Union 3-2.

Mira Costa faces JSerra at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Long Beach City College in this season’s championship game.

Key returnees for Mira Costa are Lily Vandeweghe, Lily Enfield, Harper Terry and Izzy Elston.

JSerra has succeeded in breaking up the Mira Costa-Redondo Union beach volleyball domination. Those teams had met in the final for the previous three years.

The Mustangs swept San Marcos 5-0 in the semifinals on Thursday. JSerra eliminated No. 2-seeded Redondo Union 3-2.

Venice won the City Section title over Taft on Friday.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

This charming coastal spot is one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK.

Summer is approaching, and if you’re already fantasising about sea and sunshine, then you’re truly spoilt for choice. While destinations such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean are alluring, flying overseas can prove costly – without even mentioning accommodation prices and dining expenses.

Fortunately, if you’re watching your pennies, the UK boasts some genuinely breathtaking destinations to discover, right on your doorstep. Not only will it prove more affordable, it will also eliminate much of the hassle involved in organising an overseas getaway. Instead of dashing through airport security, all you need to do is jump in the car or board a train.

Staycation specialists at holidaycottages.co.uk have examined some of the globe’s most sought-after beach destinations and recommended lesser-known UK alternatives that deliver all the splendour of the finest spots but without the hefty price tag or the throngs of visitors.

The Costa Brava ranks as an extremely popular destination for British holidaymakers.

Renowned for its white sand beaches, verdant landscape and turquoise waters, this north-east Spanish hotspot frequently draws crowds of British tourists seeking to unwind by the sea, reports the Express.

For a more tranquil and budget-friendly option, Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall serves as the UK’s own slice of paradise.

The beach sits beneath towering cliffs that shield it from the wind, while the stunning clear waters prove ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor the beach was “absolutely breathtaking”.

“The most amazing beach beautiful white sand and turquoise sea. Breathtaking views and definitely one of the best beaches you will ever find.”

Another said: “Spent the day here, it’s just like being abroad, clear blue skies water, perfect sandy beach and so peaceful. No arcades, no boats, no noise, just gorgeous.”

Sarah Pring, PR manager at holidaycottages.co.uk, said: “For many people, summer brings the temptation of a beach holiday, however, travel enthusiasts don’t have to travel internationally to experience crystal-clear waters and beautiful sandy beaches hidden between towering cliffs as there are many comparable spots in the UK.”

The most stunning beach alternatives in the UK

• Luskentyre Beach, Scotland – looks like Turks and Caicos

• Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall – looks like Costa Brava, Spain

• Runswick Bay, Yorkshire – looks like Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy

• Barricane Beach, Devon – looks like Calanque d’En-Vau, France

• Porthdinllaen, North Wales – looks like Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa