The state of California is home to some of the best beaches across the United States. Southern California beaches are well known for their West Coast waves and family-friendly beach days. Northern California beaches are known for their breathtaking backdrops and iconic landmarks.
Whether you live in the Golden State or are visiting on vacation, there is plenty of coastline to visit and enjoy the picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean. From the sandy beaches of southern California to the stunning rolling hills of the Lost Coast, here are some of the most incredible beaches to visit along the western coast.
Coronado Beach Island, San Diego
This historical beach is situated on Coronado Island, just across the bay from downtown San Diego. The wide sandy beach has been ranked as one of the best in the United States and has breathtaking views of the San Diego skyline and Point Loma.
I love visiting this beach for its access to the Hotel del Coronado or “the Del.” The iconic beachfront resort is absolutely stunning to walk through, and even if you are not staying at the resort, you can still take advantage of the gorgeous hotel restaurant or the beach bar.
If you are staying for the entire day, you can also rent bikes nearby and cruise along the length of the beach and through the charming nearby neighborhoods. If you do decide to head into the quaint downtown area, don’t miss out on a cone from MooTime Creamery.
Black’s Beach, La Jolla
Just up the coast and tucked into the secluded cliffs of La Jolla, you’ll find the serene Black’s Beach. This beach is only accessible via a fairly steep bluff path, making it more challenging to reach, but it is a gorgeous area to explore if you’re looking for a short hike followed by a dip in the Pacific Ocean.
The beach has gained notoriety for being one of the few nudist beaches in the area, but it is not required by any means. My favorite part of this beach is that it is situated below the Torrey Pines Gliderport. The gliderport is open to the public, and from there, you can sit in the grass or enjoy food from a small cafe and watch people paraglide off the cliffs and soar over the beach below.
Even if you don’t want to take the hike down to the actual beach, I highly recommend stopping by the gliderport above just to enjoy the view and people-watch. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a chance at paragliding yourself!
The Trestles, San Clemente
The Trestles in San Clemente, California, is renowned as a world-class surfing destination. It’s not a singular beach but rather a collection of surf spots stretching along the coast. It holds a significant place in California’s surfing history and has been a popular surf spot since the 1930s.
It’s a bit of a walk to get to the beach, but it’s well worth the trek once you get there. Even if you’re not a surfer, it’s a cool spot to just watch some of the best surfers in the world. The nearby San Clemente also has many great restaurants and shops, as well as some of the best taco shops along the coast.
Venice Beach, Venice
One of the most famous beaches in California, you’ll likely recognize this beach from the pedestrian walkway that is adorned with a lively and eclectic mix of street performers, vendors, and artists. The absolute best people-watching in the area is found here, and you could spend a few hours just standing at the skatepark and watching locals.
On the south end of the beach, you’ll find the historic outdoor gym Muscle Beach, which gained fame for being a popular workout spot for bodybuilders, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. There are dozens of restaurants and shops along the beach to pop into, as well as several finer dining options off of the beach or along the nearby Abbot Kinney Blvd.
For anyone looking to learn how to surf, this is also a great beach to try, as the waves tend to be a bit more manageable than the nearby beaches of El Porto or Malibu.
Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica
Another historic beach, this one sits below the iconic Santa Monica Pier at the end of the old Route 66. The boardwalk is adorned with a Ferris wheel, rollercoaster, and many arcade games, as well as iconic seafood restaurants and bars. No visit to Los Angeles is complete without a visit to this famous spot for at least a photo.
If you want to avoid the crowds, head up the pedestrian ramp to Ocean Avenue, where you’ll find Palisades Park, a small park that lines the street above, offering a panoramic view of the pier, beach, and Malibu coast. It’s a fantastic spot for viewing the sunset, and you’ll also find many more dining options and shopping along this upper stretch and the nearby Promenade.
Leo Carrillo Beach, Malibu
Situated in Malibu, this beach is a popular spot for surfing, tide pooling, and enjoying a sunset over the Pacific. It tops my list due to its proximity to the nearby Leo Carrillo Campground. This large campground is great for families, given it has many facilities and a small store with beach toys, snacks, beer, and a shack with ready-to-order food during the summer months.
From the campground, you can take a short path under the PCH, and you have immediate access to the beach without having to get in a car. It’s a great spot to camp year-round if you want a more rustic beach vacation that is more affordable than renting an Airbnb in the area (and more fun!).
Arroyo Burro Beach, Santa Barbara
Anywhere in Santa Barbara is absolutely stunning, but my favorite beach to visit is Arroyo Burrow Beach, also known as Hendry’s Beach. Just a few miles north of the wharf, this dog-friendly beach is easily accessible and has a decent-sized parking lot as well as many adjacent hiking trails, making it a great place to bring your furry one.
There is also a fantastic restaurant called The Boathouse, situated right on the sand. It can be a long wait at times, but it’s well worth putting your name in and then soaking up the sun while you wait for your table.
While there is no clear bike path, you can also rent bikes in Santa Barbara, and it’s a fairly easy ride up to the beach (just be warned of the final hill down to the beach, which is always a fun surprise).
Morro Bay Beach, San Luis Obispo
The most prominent feature of Morro Bay Beach is Morro Rock, a 576-foot volcanic plug standing at the harbor’s entrance. It’s one of the Nine Sisters, a series of ancient volcanic peaks that stretch from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay. Morro Rock is a designated bird sanctuary, and its presence adds a dramatic backdrop to the beach.
If you like to kayak or paddle board, this is the best beach in the area to do so, as the waters are often calm, and you can enjoy getting close to wildlife floating around the bay. The area is usually clouded in fog during the early mornings and most of the off-season, but I personally love these times as it makes Morro Rock even more dramatic.
McWay Beach, Big Sur
Big Sur has no shortage of stunning beaches along its coast, but McWay Beach remains one of (if not the most) scenic beaches along this gorgeous stretch with a waterfall that cascades down the cliff edge into a small cove that feels like paradise. I still remember how inspired I felt the first time I pulled off here, a moment that solidified I may never leave the West Coast.
It can get a bit crowded during the busy months, so I recommend going early in the morning to try to capture a moment alone in this spot.
Capitola Beach, Santa Cruz
Just 10 minutes south of Santa Cruz, you’ll find the charming Capitola Beach, which is renowned for its wide stretch of golden sand and a coastline adorned with colorful buildings and seaside cottages.
It’s a postcard-worthy setting, and you’ll feel as though you’re transported to a small Mediterranean seaside town with a vibrant and laid-back atmosphere. The nearby Capitola village also offers many unique shops, art galleries, and seaside restaurants.
Santa Cruz Beach, Santa Cruz
Combining classic beach fun with a historic amusement park, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a lively destination with a sandy beach, thrilling rides, and carnival games. You may recognize this iconic beach from various shows and movies, and it’s worth the visit as there is so much to do and see here.
The pier is within walking distance of the downtown area of Santa Cruz, which has dozens of shops and restaurants. This is a great beach town for a family vacation or for a day trip from the Bay Area.
Montara Beach, Half Moon Bay
Nestled between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, Montara State Beach is a pristine stretch of coastline with sandy shores, scenic cliffs, and the imposing presence of Montara Mountain in the background.
Gherkin’s Sandwich Shop just up the street has a great selection of affordable sandwiches that you can easily pack up and bring to the beach for a picnic. If you go, make sure you try the Dutch crunch bread, a Bay Area specialty that you won’t regret.
Pacifica State Beach, Pacific
Just south of San Francisco off of Highway 1 you’ll find this gorgeous beach which is popular amongst surfers. While it may seem out of place, this beach is iconic due to the Taco Bell situated right on the sand, offering stunning views and an outdoor deck.
If you’re a Taco Bell fan, it’s a bucket list item, especially since they are one of the few locations that sell alcoholic Baja Blasts.
Baker Beach, San Francisco
There are many amazing spots to see the Golden Gate Bridge, but Baker Beach remains my absolute favorite spot for viewing the iconic landmark and the Marin Headlands in the distance.
Parking is somewhat limited here, but you can access it on foot, by bike, or via Uber, as it’s conveniently located in the city center. In the warmer months, you can spend all day here soaking up the sun, and during the windier days, it’s a great spot to just go on a sunset stroll with one of the best views in the city.
Stinson Beach, Marin County
Tucked away in Marin County, Stinson Beach provides a laid-back coastal experience with its long sandy stretch and views of Mount Tamalpais. The beach is a popular spot for locals seeking a relaxing getaway as well as surfers from the Bay Area.
The beach is also set next to a charming small town that exudes a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere, with a small number of local businesses, cafes, and shops. Breakers Café is a nautical-themed family-owned joint that is great for grabbing a bite after the beach or for a weekend brunch.
Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore
Known for its dramatic white cliffs and expansive shoreline, Drakes Beach offers a different landscape from the typical California beach and is great for picnicking and wildlife watching.
The drive to the beach is absolutely stunning, and there are lots of hiking trails nearby if you are looking to explore the area more.
Bowling Ball Beach, Mendocino
This extraordinary California beach stands as a testament to geological wonders as the beach is covered in large rocks that have become perfectly rounded over the years from erosion, giving the beach its name.
Nestled at the northern fringe of Schooner Gulch State Beach, the near-flawless symmetry of these formations comes to life during low tide, providing a captivating spectacle.
Mattole Beach, Humboldt County
Located along the scenic and rugged Lost Coast in Northern California, Mattole Beach is known for its unspoiled beauty. You will truly not find a more remote experience than the Lost Coast, but it’s worth the trek to make it to this untamed coastline.
The beach is surrounded by dramatic coastal cliffs, rocky outcrops, and rolling hills, and this area of the coast has a very wild and untouched quality, given that it is entirely undeveloped. If you are looking for a more rugged coastal experience, this is the spot for you, and you can actually camp right on the beach at Mattole Campground.
If you are looking for an even bigger adventure, you can actually obtain a permit and hike the 25.3-mile Lost Coast trail from Mattole down to Black Sand Beach. The journey usually takes about three days and will require you to backcountry camp, but you will have unmatched access to this coastline.