Best Beaches in California
Searching for the best beaches in California to visit on your next day trip or vacation? Well, you are in the right place! California’s beaches are as diverse as the state itself, offering everything from golden sandy shores to dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Having explored coastlines near and far, I’ve found California’s beaches to be some of the most breathtaking and unforgettable places to enjoy the ocean. Whether it’s the laid-back surf towns, lively piers, or quiet coves tucked away from the crowds, there’s a stretch of sand here for every mood.
I discovered bustling boardwalks, peaceful natural escapes, and beaches perfect for swimming, surfing, or simply soaking in the views. From family-friendly spots to world-famous surf breaks and sunsets that light up the horizon, California’s coast truly has something for everyone. Here are the beaches I recommend, and I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Huntington State Beach
I found this place to be a vibrant slice of Southern California’s coast with miles of soft golden sand, steady Pacific waves perfect for surfers, and a lively beach culture that pulses with volleyball games, bonfires, and the scent of salt and sunscreen.
I thought that Huntington State Beach is one of the best beaches in California. Why? I loved its wide horizons, fiery sunsets, and the energy of surfboards slicing through rolling swells.
Just an easy 10-minute drive from central Huntington Beach (nicknamed “Surf City, USA”), I based myself at the hip 4-star Pasea Hotel & Spa, which blends coastal chic with breezy ocean views. My days felt perfectly balanced: long barefoot walks on the broad beach, watching surfers carve early-morning waves; pedaling along the paved 8.5-mile Huntington Beach Bike Trail that hugs the shoreline; exploring Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve with its saltwater marshes teeming with herons and egrets; and in the evenings, cozying up around a crackling bonfire right on the sand.
- Location: In Huntington Beach, California, along Orange County’s Pacific coast between the Santa Ana River and Beach Boulevard
- Check prices at 4-star Pasea Hotel & Spa
- Location: Map & Directions
2. Mandalay Beach
My pace here was beautifully unhurried — morning walks along the nearly empty shoreline, afternoons exploring the Mandalay State Beach dunes and wildlife preserve, and evenings watching streaky pastel sunsets light up the Channel Islands on the horizon in a way that completely won me over.
Just a few minutes’ drive from Oxnard in Ventura County, I settled in for a low-key coastal escape at the beachfront Zachari Dunes Resort on Mandalay Beach, a laid-back 4-star stay with direct ocean access.
- Location: In Oxnard, California, along Ventura County’s Pacific coast near Mandalay State Beach
- Check prices at 4-star Zachari Dunes Resort on Mandalay Beach
- Location: Map & Directions
3. Glass Beach
It’s less about swimming here — the water is cold and waves can be rough — and more about exploring, beachcombing, and soaking in the rugged, dramatic character of the North Coast.
Just outside the town of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County, it made for the perfect stop on a Highway 1 road trip. I spent my time wandering the rocky coves, peering into tidepools filled with starfish and anemones, and walking the coastal bluffs where wildflowers framed sweeping Pacific views.
- Location: In Fort Bragg, California, along the Mendocino Coast within MacKerricher State Park on the Pacific Ocean
- Map & Directions
4. Santa Monica Beach
Sunsets here were just magic here as we watched the sky shifting from orange to pink to deep indigo as the pier lights turned on in the end.
Santa Monica Beach feels like the quintessential Southern California coastal experience — a wide, sun-soaked stretch of golden sand framed by the iconic pier, buzzing boardwalk energy, and the hazy outline of the Santa Monica Mountains rising just beyond the coastline.
Just steps from downtown Santa Monica, I stayed at the stylish Shutters on the Beach, a luxurious yet laid-back hotel that blends New England cottage charm with Pacific views. My days unfolded with a perfect rhythm: sunbathing on the beach, strolling the historic Santa Monica Pier (complete with its colorful Ferris wheel and arcade games), biking down the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail toward Venice Beach, and exploring Third Street Promenade’s mix of shops, street performers, and open-air dining.
- Location: In Santa Monica, along Los Angeles County’s Pacific coastline just west of downtown Los Angeles
- Check prices at 5-star Shutters on the Beach
- Map & Directions
- Santa Monica Beach website
5. Carlsbad State Beach
Backed by low sandstone bluffs and fronted by gentle Pacific waves, this beach has a classic SoCal look but with a mellower vibe than Santa Monica or Huntington. My days were a mix of lounging on the beach, cycling the oceanfront Coast Highway, and venturing into the charming downtown, where boutique shops and cafes spilled onto leafy sidewalks. A highlight was catching the glowing sky as the sun sank directly into the Pacific — the bluffs giving the whole scene a golden frame.
- Location: In Carlsbad, California, along northern San Diego County’s Pacific coastline
- Map & Directions
- Carlsbad State Beach website
6. Coronado Beach
This famous beach has a a wide shoreline where the sand actually (no, really!) sparkles thanks to flecks of mica. The historic Hotel del Coronado is THE place to stay here. It rises like a fairytale castle at the water’s edge. It’s elegant yet easygoing, with gentle surf that draws families, swimmers, and a pace that feels unhurried compared to San Diego. The only downside is the cost and how easily it sells out during holiday and summer weekends.
- Location: On Coronado Island in San Diego, California, along the Pacific Ocean just across the bay from downtown San Diego
- Check prices at 4-star Hotel del Coronado
- Location: Map & Directions
- Coronado Beach website
7. Crystal Cove State Park
I felt like I was stepping back into a quieter, more natural side of the Southern California coast here — rugged bluffs, tidepools teeming with sea life, and a preserved historic beachside village that captures the charm of the 1930s and 40s. Unlike the bustle of Santa Monica or Huntington, Crystal Cove offers a wilder, more restorative vibe — a blend of scenic hiking trails, dramatic Pacific views, and old-fashioned coastal nostalgia.
- Location: In Orange County, between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach along the Pacific Coast
- Map & Directions
- Crystal Cove State Park website
8. Dog Beach in San Diego
I think that this beach in San Diego radiates pure joy, a stretch of sand where surf, sun, and wagging tails all collide in one of the happiest corners of the coast. Instead of polished piers or historic resorts, this beach is all about freedom with dogs racing through the waves, frisbees sailing across the sky, and the soundtrack of laughter mixed with barking. It has an easy, come-as-you-are vibe that makes it feel both playful and welcoming. I didn't have a pup of my own but the joyful vibe was contagios! Its a very nice spot to unwind!
- Location: In Ocean Beach, San Diego, California, at the mouth of the San Diego River along the Pacific Ocean
9. Moonstone Beach, Cambria
This beach in Cambria felt like a place where rugged California coastline meets small-town charm — a windswept, romantic stretch of shoreline lined with smooth wave-polished pebbles (including the occasional shimmering moonstone) and framed by dramatic bluffs and Monterey pines. It’s not a wide, sunbathing-style beach, but instead one for wandering, beachcombing, and letting the salty breeze and rhythmic surf wash over you. There’s a sense of quiet magic here, especially at sunset when the whole coast glows amber.
- Location: In Cambria, California, along the Central Coast on Moonstone Beach Drive overlooking the Pacific Ocean
10. El Matador Beach, Malibu
I thought this was one of Malibu’s most dramatic coastal treasures when I visited this month, a narrow ribbon of golden sand tucked beneath rugged cliffs, where sea-carved caves, natural stone arches, and giant rock outcroppings created a wild, cinematic backdrop that felt like stepping into a dream!
- Location: In Malibu, California, along the Pacific Coast Highway within the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach area
Just a breezy 20-minute drive up the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica, I carved out a sun-drenched afternoon here and I thought it was one of the best beaches in California! The approach itself was unforgettable — descending steep wooden stairs that reveal the vast blue sweep of the Pacific.
11. Laguna Beach
I thought this place was a dazzling slice of the California coast — a creative seaside village where golden coves meet rugged bluffs, and art seems to spill out of every gallery, garden, and festival tent. The whole place had this breezy, artsy charm that felt equal parts laid-back surf town and sophisticated coastal retreat.
Just an hour’s drive south of Los Angeles (or 90 minutes from San Diego), I settled in for a few sun-dappled days. The rhythm was perfectly balanced: I strolled the palm-lined boardwalk at Main Beach, wandered into tucked-away coves like Victoria Beach with its whimsical “pirate tower” and hiked the wildflower-covered hills of Crystal Cove State Park where the scent of sagebrush carried on the ocean breeze.
- Location: In southern Orange County, California, along the Pacific Coast between Newport Beach and Dana Point
In town, I browsed art galleries, discovered sculpted gardens, and caught live music as the sun melted into the horizon. It was the quintessential Southern California escape.
12. Santa Cruz
This was a classic California coastal escape with a playful heart — a mix of surf culture, redwood forests, and a quirky bohemian vibe that felt both nostalgic and free-spirited. Between its historic boardwalk, scenic bluffs, and funky downtown streets, it had that “endless summer” energy that instantly put me in vacation mode.
Just about 75 minutes south of San Francisco, I spent three breezy days at 3-star Hyatt Place Santa Cruz exploring its mix of shoreline and inland charm. My mornings started with coffee on the Santa Cruz Wharf, watching sea lions lounge under the pilings. Afternoons meant wandering the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a timeless amusement park where the vintage wooden rollercoaster rattled above the sand. I biked along the dramatic West Cliff Drive, stopping to watch surfers carve waves at the legendary Steamer Lane, and even ducked inland for a half-day hike beneath the towering redwoods of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
- Location: On California’s central coast in Santa Cruz County, along Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean
Evenings wound down in the lively downtown, where street performers, indie bookstores, and farm-to-table bistros kept the energy buzzing.
13. Manhattan Beach
This is a polished yet laid-back seaside town where golden sand meets palm-lined boulevards, and surfboards are just as common as beach cruisers. It had this breezy, sun-kissed vibe that blended upscale elegance with genuine California surf culture.
- Location: In Los Angeles County, California, along the South Bay coastline of the Pacific Ocean
14. Mission Beach
This beach captured the quintessential San Diego vibe with wide sandy shores, lively boardwalk energy, and an easy-going surf culture that made every moment feel sun-soaked and carefree.
- Location: In San Diego, California, on a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay
It’s that perfect blend of beach-town fun and coastal relaxation, where you can spend the morning surfing, the afternoon biking along the ocean, and the evening watching the sunset with a taco in hand.
15. Baker Beach
This is one of San Francisco’s most breathtaking escapes, a wild, windswept stretch of sand where the Pacific meets the city, and the Golden Gate Bridge rises dramatically on the horizon.
- Location: In San Francisco, California, on the northwest shoreline below the Presidio, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge
It had that perfect mix of rugged natural beauty and iconic urban backdrop that felt uniquely San Francisco.
16. Newport Beach
I thought this place was pure Southern California elegance by the sea — wide sandy beaches, a sparkling harbor dotted with yachts, and a polished yet playful energy that made it feel like a resort town with real local charm.
- Location: In Orange County, California, along the Pacific Coast between Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach
Between its iconic piers, island escapes, and lively coastal village vibe, Newport struck a perfect balance between upscale relaxation and fun-in-the-sun adventure.
17. Pfeiffer Beach
For me, this was one of California’s most otherworldly stretches of shoreline — a hidden Big Sur treasure where rugged cliffs, sea-carved rock formations, and surreal purple-tinted sands created a wild, untamed beauty. It felt secretive and magical, like stumbling upon a place that nature had designed as its own masterpiece.
- Location: In Big Sur, California, off Sycamore Canyon Road within the Los Padres National Forest along the Pacific coast
I wandered along the beach until I reached the iconic Keyhole Arch, a massive rock formation pierced by a natural window where, at sunset, the golden light pours through in a breathtaking glow.
18. Arroyo Burro Beach County Park
When I visited here this month, I thought that it was the perfect blend of relaxed California charm and natural coastal beauty, a wide, sunlit stretch of sand framed by rugged bluffs and gentle waves, with a community feel that made it as beloved by locals as it was welcoming to visitors.
- Location: In Santa Barbara, California, along the Pacific Coast just west of the city’s Mesa neighborhood
It had this effortlessly inviting vibe where families, surfers, dog-walkers, and sunset-watchers all seemed to share the shoreline in perfect harmony.
19. Pismo State Beach
This is classic Central California — wide, golden sand stretching for miles, waves rolling in steady and strong, and a breezy, small-town vibe that felt both nostalgic and unpretentious.
- Location: In San Luis Obispo County, California, along the Central Coast between Pismo Beach and Oceano on the Pacific Ocean
It had that timeless beach energy where kite flyers, clamming families, surfers, and campers all seemed to find their place under the endless sky.
20. San Clemente State Beach
I thought this is the perfect embodiment of Southern California’s golden coast with rolling bluffs draped in wildflowers, wide sandy shores, and that laid-back surf-town spirit that makes you want to kick off your shoes and stay awhile.
- Location: In San Clemente, California, along southern Orange County’s Pacific coastline near the border with San Diego County
It felt at once scenic and relaxed, with a rugged natural beauty softened by the warm, welcoming vibe of San Clemente itself.
21. La Jolla Cove
This place is one of California’s most enchanting seaside escapes, a jewel-box cove where turquoise waters lap against rugged sandstone cliffs, and playful sea lions bask in the sun just steps from your towel. It felt alive with marine energy yet serene enough to simply sit and take in the ocean’s endless rhythms.
- Location: In La Jolla, San Diego, California, along the Pacific Coast within the La Jolla Underwater Park
I started by walking along the blufftop paths of Ellen Browning Scripps Park and I wandered through the galleries, cafés, and boutiques of La Jolla Village.
22. Stinson Beach
This was Northern California at its most timeless, a long ribbon of soft sand backed by rolling hills and rugged bluffs, where the Pacific felt both wild and welcoming.
- Location: In Marin County, California, along the Pacific Coast just north of San Francisco and adjacent to Mount Tamalpais
It carried that easy, barefoot charm of a true beach town, with just enough local flavor to make it feel like a beloved hideaway.
23. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
This is a rare place where sculpted sandstone cliffs, wind-bent pines, and the endless Pacific all come together in a harmony of wild beauty. It felt untouched and serene, with trails that carried me from fragrant chaparral ridges down to a wide, glistening beach...Just a 20-minute drive north of downtown San Diego, I devoted a full day here and was glad I did.
- Location: In La Jolla, San Diego, California, along the Pacific Coast between Del Mar and Torrey Pines State Beach
My morning began on the Guy Fleming Trail, where sweeping viewpoints revealed dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters far below. From there, I wandered along the Beach Trail.
24. Windansea Beach
This beach is the very definition of classic La Jolla cool, a rugged, picturesque shoreline where powerful surf meets sculpted sandstone, and a touch of surf legend lingers in the air. I only spent one morning here, so I can't say I'm an expert.
- Location: In La Jolla, San Diego, California, along Neptune Place on the Pacific Coast
But I think it's one of the best beaches in California because of its uniqueness. It felt more untamed and intimate than nearby coves, a place where locals gather under the iconic palm-roofed hut to watch waves crash and sunsets blaze across the horizon.
25. Zuma Beach
Here is Malibu at its most wide-open and sun-splashed — a sweeping expanse of golden sand framed by gentle bluffs and the sparkling Pacific, with a lively yet laid-back atmosphere that made it feel like Southern California summer distilled into one place.
- Location: In Malibu, California, along the Pacific Coast Highway on the western end of Santa Monica Bay
It had that quintessential beach-town energy: volleyball nets, surfers carving waves, families with picnic baskets, and long horizons that seemed to stretch forever.
Conclusion
Whether rugged and wild or polished and laid-back, each of these beaches offered its own unique charm — proof that no two stretches of California’s coastline are ever quite the same. Wherever you wander, you’ll find sun, surf, and that timeless ocean magic waiting to sweep you in.
Booking Checklist
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