• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Huntington State Beach, California ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Beaches
Huntington State Beach, California
© lunamarina/stock.adobe.com

2. Mandalay Beach Oxnard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Beaches
Mandalay Beach Oxnard
© Trish Drury/Danita Delimont/stock.adobe.com

3. Glass Beach, Fort Bragg

Category: Activities
Glass Beach, Fort Bragg
© wollertz/stock.adobe.com

4. Santa Monica Beach

Category: Beaches
Santa Monica Beach
© aiisha/stock.adobe.com

5. Carlsbad State Beach

Category: Beaches
Carlsbad State Beach
© sherryvsmith/stock.adobe.com

6. Coronado Municipal Beach

Category: Beaches
Coronado Municipal Beach
© Stacie/stock.adobe.com

7. Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna

Category: Activities
Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna
© Hakan Ozturk/stock.adobe.com

8. Dog Beach, San Diego

Category: Beaches
Dog Beach, San Diego
© vivalapenler/stock.adobe.com

9. Moonstone Beach, Cambria

Category: Beaches
Moonstone Beach, Cambria
© htrnr/stock.adobe.com

10. El Matador Beach, Malibu

Category: Beaches
El Matador Beach, Malibu
© Lux Blue/stock.adobe.com

11. 1000 Steps Beach, Laguna

Category: Beaches
1000 Steps Beach, Laguna
© rouda100/stock.adobe.com

12. Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz

Category: Beaches
Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz
© irengorbacheva/stock.adobe.com

13. Manhattan State Beach, California

Category: Beaches
Manhattan State Beach, California
© Sid10./stock.adobe.com

14. Mission Beach, San Diego

Category: Beaches
Mission Beach, San Diego
© Nicholas/stock.adobe.com

15. Baker Beach, San Francisco

Category: Beaches
Baker Beach, San Francisco
© Chee-Onn Leong/stock.adobe.com

16. Newport Beach

Category: Beaches
Newport Beach
© lunamarina/stock.adobe.com

17. Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur

Category: Beaches
Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur
© Melastmohican/stock.adobe.com

18. Arroyo Burro County Beach Park, Santa Barbara

Category: Activities
Arroyo Burro County Beach Park, Santa Barbara
© Entoptic Studios/stock.adobe.com

19. Pismo Beach

Category: Beaches
Pismo Beach
© Pismo Beach/stock.adobe.com

20. San Clemente State Beach

Category: Beaches
San Clemente State Beach
© SailingAway/stock.adobe.com

21. La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove
© Kyle/stock.adobe.com

22. Stinson Beach, California

Category: Beaches
Stinson Beach, California
© Tupungato/stock.adobe.com

23. Torrey Pines State Reserve

Category: Activities
Torrey Pines State Reserve
© Brian G. Lewis/stock.adobe.com

24. Windansea Beach, La Jolla

Category: Beaches
Windansea Beach, La Jolla
© Jo Ann Snover/stock.adobe.com

25. Zuma Beach, Malibu

Category: Beaches
Zuma Beach, Malibu
© vivoo/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

  • Whether you prefer the endless expanses of fine, golden sand of Zuma Beach in Malibu, or the purple sands of Pfeiffer Beach in Northern California, you will find your ideal beach in California for your weekend getaway.
  • There are beaches where people-watching is more fun than swimming, like in Santa Monica or Newport Beach in Southern California.
  • There are beaches where families bring kids to play in the sand and warm surf, and others where rip currents and underwater reefs make powerful waves only surfers can love.

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