Brighton is located on England's southern coast, directly south of London (and only an hour's train ride away). British people consider it a bit tacky, and it reminded me quite a bit of Santa Cruz (albeit a uniquely British version of Santa Cruz). It's one of the more liberal places in Britain, and is home to Vegetarian Shoes.
The city came into its heyday during the Regency period, when George IV made sea-bathing fashionable. The Royal Pavilion, an Oriental fantasia of a palace he built around an old farmhouse, has been painstakingly restored, and is quite impressive. Of course one of my main reasons for visiting was the role Brighton plays in Pride and Prejudice. Alas, today there is nary a red coat to be seen.
The beach is pebbles rather than sand, which makes a wonderful sound when the waves roll in and out.
The Palace Pier, complete with roller coaster (because roller coasters over water are twice as exciting as ones on land, apparently).
The old West Pier. Plans are supposedly underway to restore the pier and the ballroom, if it doesn't tumble into the ocean first.
The esplanade with rocky beach.
