When it comes to the best beaches in California, the Golden State has a diverse range of breathtaking beaches. From relaxing on the warm sand to exploring marine wildlife, the stunning beaches of California offer endless opportunities for entertainment. There is a type beach for everyone no matter if you are looking for peace and quiet and serenity or if you like to be in the midst of the action and spend the afternoon people watching.
Here are ten of the best beaches to help you get started exploring this magnificent coastline. Once you start exploring, you’ll see very quickly why so many beach lovers tend to state that it is to hard to pick a favorite. Not a bad problem to have however, as you have plenty of options to choose from depending on the landscape and activities that you want to take part in.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach is located in Los Angeles and offers three miles of stunning beaches along the Pacific Coast. The Ocean Front Walk, or Boardwalk, that runs parallel to the beach is also considered part of Venice Beach.
Known as Southern California’s number one visitor attraction, Ocean Front Walk is a stretch of entertainment that is over a mile long. From trendy shops and a skate park to a variety of musicians and artists at every corner, this beach offers an experience that no other destination can match & always ranks as one of the best beaches in California.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is located in between Las Angeles and San Diego, and offers over seven miles of gorgeous beaches stretching along the coast. Laguna Beach is known for amazing surf and breathtaking cliffs.
If you want to surf some of the best waves in California, then Laguna Beach is the perfect spot. The coves along the coastline produce waves that can peak at 15 feet, which offer great surfing opportunities and considered to be one of the best beaches in California by surfers.
Laguna Beach also offers great opportunities to explore ocean wildlife. There are diving opportunities offered at several beaches, which is the perfect chance to explore underwater habitat. There is also an opportunity to explore marine life without diving. Laguna Beach has tide pooling opportunities at several locations, so you can explore without going underwater.
Huntington Pier
Located in Surf City, USA, Huntington Pier is a historic landmark that stretches 1,850 feet into the Pacific Ocean. Constructed in 1904, Huntington Pier is one of the longest piers on the California coast.
Huntington Beach Pier is a great location for surfers, and serves as the center point for beach activities. Professional volleyball tournaments, surfing competitions, and band concerts are held at Huntington Beach Pier.
Sonoma Coast
Sonoma Coast’s beaches stretch 17 miles along the Northern California Coast. Sonoma Coast includes a series of beaches that are lined with beautiful rock formations and coves which make it one of the most breathtaking destinations. Sonoma Coast is also known for the cooler water temperatures and strong rip currents.
Although swimming is not the primary focus, there’s an array of other opportunities to enjoy at the beach. Bodega Head offers high cliffs where migrating gray whales can be seen by observers. There are also amazing tide pooling and beachcombing opportunities.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County offers 29 miles of beautiful beaches that offer a variety of entertainment. From amusement parks to beach volleyball, Sana Cruz has an abundance of choices that will please any taste.
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk, a classic oceanfront amusement park, is located at Main Beach. The Main Beach is also located near the Santa Cruz Municipal Pier, which is a perfect location for fishing. Seacliff and Sunset are known for their beach bonfires, and Steamer Lane is a popular surfer’s spot. The Santa Cruz beaches truly provide something for everyone which always keeps it among the best beaches in California.
Baker Beach
Another one of the best beaches in California is Baker Beach. This beach is located on the peninsula of San Francisco, slightly south of Golden Gate Point. This public beach is a mile long and provides great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Baker Beach is also easily accessible to Lincoln Boulevard, which provide the best views of San Francisco’s serpentine cliffs.
Baker Beach is also a great place to watch the abundant windsurfing that takes place as well. The weather at Baker Beach is great for casual strolls or sunbathing, and has some of the most iconic views in the world.
Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach stretches along six miles of the Southern California Coastline. This beach offers a variety of entertainment such as bird watching, hiking, fishing, and surfing.
Imperial Beach is known for hosting great events throughout the year such as the largest sandcastle competition in the United States. Other exciting events include an annual dog surfing contest and a beachfront classic car show. Imperial Beach also has the only beachfront farmer’s market in San Diego County.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is located in San Diego, and the beach lies at the estuary of the San Diego River. This small beach is well-known for beautiful sunsets and great waves which makes it one of the best beaches in California especially by locals.
The Ocean Beach Municipal Pier is the second largest pier on the California Coast. It is a popular destination for visitors. The pier offers great fishing opportunities, and tide pooling opportunities are also available close to the pier.
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is located in Central California and offers many opportunities to explore wildlife. The beautiful sand dunes and eucalyptus trees attract thousands of butterflies every year.
The Monarch Butterfly Groves are one of best butterfly groves in the United States. Pismo Beach also offers several opportunities to view sea otters, seals, and migrating whales.
Malibu
The beaches of Malibu stretch for 20 miles along the California Coastline in Los Angeles County. Malibu is known for its visual beauty, celebrities and always ranks among the best beaches in California.
The largest and most popular beach in Malibu is Zuma Beach, and this beach serves as a background for many movies and television shows. The waves at Zuma Beach make an ideal location for surfers, and the beach hosts many surfing events throughout the year. Zuma Beach is also one of the cleanest beaches in the area.
All of the best beaches in California are yours to explore and every single one offers something completely different & exciting. From exploring migrating whales to amusement parks, breathtaking cliffs to surfing long waves, there are endless possibilities to have fun on the beaches of California. What are you waiting for?
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