Zuma Beach in Malibu

Jill's Journal: Oh Zuma Beach, how lovely you are.

Part of the 27 miles of coastline that makes up the magnificent Malibu, California, Zuma Beach is an almost-endless expanse of soft sand. It was a frequent filming site for the t.v. show “Baywatch.” That deserted South Pacific island where Larry Hagman discovered Barbara Eden in “I Dream of Jeannie”? That was Zuma too. Movies, music videos, t..v series, and commercials frequently use Zuma as their beach location.

Neil Young entitled an album “Zuma.” Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale named a child “Zuma.” Yes, it’s a lovely, lovely place.

The water may have been cold (the United States’ portion of the Pacific is never warm), but the girls didn’t mind. How often do you get to wear a bathing suit in February? Madelyn was particularly blissful as she bounced and danced and frolicked for ages among the waves…that little girl loves life. What a joy she is to watch.

A giant sandbox with carte blanche to get as covered in sand as they’d like? I don't know if there's too many more perfect ways for kids to spend an afternoon.