Quick Summary:
- SoCal is famous for its sunny beaches, but what travelers may have overlooked in their quest for the perfect beach getaway are the gorgeous beaches of Northern California.
- Fort Funston Beach offers incredible whale-watching opportunities in the springtime.
- Glass Beach is an iconic Northern California beach known for abundant sea glass.
- Beachgoers looking for clothing-optional beaches will find them at Black Sands Beach, Marshall Beach, and Gray Whale Cove.
- There are long, sandy leisure beaches, sand dune beaches, and beaches favored by surfers.
- Updated with new information since originally published.
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- Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.
Summary & FAQ
Baker Beach
Black Sands Beach
Caspar Headlands State Beach
Centerville Beach
College Cove Beach (Humboldt County)
Shell Beach
Fort Funston Beach
Glass Beach
Gray Whale Cove (San Mateo County)
Greenwood State Beach
Gualala Point Regional Park, Northern California
Heart's Desire Beach (Tomales Bay State Park)
Klamath Beach
Lagoon Creek Beach
Manila Dunes Recreation Area
Marshall Beach (San Francisco Presidio)
Montara State Beach
Moonstone Beach County Park (Trinidad)
Point St. George Beach (Crescent City)
Rodeo Beach
Russian Gulch State Park
San Gregorio State Beach
Enderts Beach
South Salmon Creek Beach
Stinson Beach
Map:
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