La Union Coastal Travel Destinations

This is a humble attempt to get you a quick guide to San Fernando City, La Union's premier coastal travel destinations.

GETTING THERE 

Travelling by land from Manila to San Fernando City, La Union would be around 4 hours and 17 minutes (278 km) via R-8, North Luzon West Expressway/R-8, and MacArthur Highway/Manila North Road and another 14 minutes (350 m) from Partas Bus Terminal to Urbiztondo Road, a total of 4 hours and 31 minutes. Partas Bus ply direct trips with bus fare costing $USD 10.22 or PHPesos 524.00 from Metro Manila (NCR- Pasay City to San Juan, San Fernando, La Union) at 12 a.m. (first trip) and 5 a.m. (2nd trip). If your ingress is from Metro Manila (NCR- Cubao to San Juan, San Fernando, La Union) at 1 a.m. (first trip) and 6 a.m. (2nd trip).

At Partas Bus Terminal San Fernando City, La Union, Region I, Philippines.

If you're so pressed for time and catching the sunset is a major priority, once you're at  Partas Bus Terminal (San Fernando City, La Union), just add 4 minutes (350 m), immediately head via MacArthur Highway/Manila North Road toward Andres Bonifacio Street and you will reach this coastal spot to take beautiful sundown images at Sea and Sky Hotel and Restaurant. (This is not a paid endorsement.)The image above is an urban coastal scene during a glorious dusk afterglow. 

SAN JUAN 

Urbiztondo Beach

San Juan is considered to be the Surfing Capital North Luzon, Philippines.

From a travel reference point using Partas Bus Terminal, onwards take a short ride of around 10 mins (5.2 kilometers) via the MacArthur Highway/Manila North Road which will bring you to Urbiztondo Road, San Fernando, La Union, Region I, Philippines.

One summer coastal dawn at barangay Urbiztondo, San Juan, San Fernando, La Union, Region I, Philippines as I find myself taking this early golden hour morning scenery.

Coral reefs and coastal surf without surfers around. Definitely laid back Urbiztondo sea shore view conducive to a meditative vibe.

SURFING

The surfing lifestyle is the breath of life in San Juan, La Union. Foreigners and locals alike have marked Urbiztondo Beach as a cool choice surfing spot to learn surfing and surf your heart's desire. Urbiztondo beach is where the confluence of locals/foreign surfing enthusiasts/professionals converge with the South Sea Swell which usually begins its peak season in the months covering July to October and the North Sea Swell which starts from November until March. 

By far one of the coolest straightforward surfing video of coastal San Juan, San Fernando, La Union, Region I, Philippines. I'll give this a thumbs-up! 

Surfing is not determined much by age but by skill and determination to learn. In this image,  a young local just successfully escaped the white waters.

Surfing is a livelihood in the Philippines. Urbiztondo beach in San Juan, La Union is a haven for learning surfing and practicing surfing sport.

The tide is high!

Check it the San Juan La Union swell

What rule in photography says that you can't shoot birds with just a 50mm lens? There is none and you can wing it! 

There are times that composition is claustrophobic and finds its origins "within the box" and still delivers unexpected good results.

SAN JUAN 

San Juan Beach

The fastest route to Awesome Hotel is about 20 minutes (8.2 km) via San Fernando By-Pass Rd and MacArthur Highway/Manila North Road.

PORO POINT

15 min (6.1 km) via Pennsylvania Ave/San Fernando Port Rd Barangay Canaoay.

Here's a link to a blog post about Poro Point Hidden Coastal Gem 

To get to Thunderbird Resort & Casino, the fastest time is 15 minutes (5.2 km) via Pennsylvania Avenue/San Fernando Port Road and Mabini Street from Partas Bus Station. (This is not a paid endorsement.)

The fastest route to Aureo is a 12 minutes ride (3.6 km) via Mabini Street from Partas Bus Station.

LUNA

The last town of La Union, Philippines is Luna which is named after Juan Luna y Novicio (October better known as Juan Luna who was a Filipino painter, sculptor and a political activist of the Philippine Revolution during the late 19th century. He became one of the first recognized Philippine artists. Luna is composed of 40 barangays (districts). 

DARIGAYOS BEACH

The town of Luna hosts Darigayos beach which another surfing destination and would have to be the most consistent break around. 

The fastest route to get to Darigayos Beach is around 43 minutes (25.2 km) starting from the Partas Bus Terminal in San Fernando City, La Union via Bacnotan - Luna - Balaoan Road and MacArthur Highway/Manila North Road.

At the end of the day, La Union is one travel destination which is highly sought after by surfers, tourists and locals. 

Till next blog.