Best Beaches in California

Tourists come from around the world to visit California’s beaches, and rightly so, because a majority of them are utterly beautiful. It is safe to say, that some of the best beaches in the United States can be found in the Golden State. Beginning with the rugged Lost Coast in Northern California, and traveling southward to the pounding surf of Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, and finally concluding with the crowded beaches of Southern California, all of the 840 miles of coastline in California are worth a trip for any intrepid beach traveler. However, if you can only visit a few, this guide will point out some of the best beaches throughout the entire state.

Northern California Beaches

For those who feel the need to depart from civilization, the Lost Coast offers nearly 80 miles of breathtakingly pristine mountains, forests, cliffs, and of course, beaches. However, it’s called the Lost Coast for a reason, so don’t expect the comforts of home. This area was seen as undesirable to develop in the 1800’s, so the area was left entirely to nature. That being said, the region is located within the Kings Range National Conservation Range and the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, and offers excellent hiking, fishing, kayaking, whale-watching, camping, and much more. Surfers heed this warning: while the waves can be epically gigantic during the wintertime (15-20 feet), the Lost Coast is home to more than a few great white sharks.

San Francisco and Santa Cruz Beaches

The City by the Bay is mostly known for its liberal culture, but it also has a few nice beaches. While the water is frigid, Rodeo Beach is a serves as a nice getaway for sun seeking San Francisco locals, and the nearby Ocean Beach offers excellent surf. South of the city, Half moon bay, home to Mavericks, is the biggest wave in California. However, if you don’t feel like surfing 20 footers, the region also has excellent hiking, camping and fishing, and even golfing. The beaches around Santa Cruz are fantastic for surfing (Steamer lane), and the local pier offers alternative forms of entertainment when the weather is a bit too wet and grey.

Central California Beaches

The beaches in this area are unique, in that while they are still fairly close to heavily populated areas, they are remarkably beautiful. For example, the majestic beauty of Big Sur and its beaches (like Point Lobos) have inspired such artists as Jack Kerouac and even Hunter S. Thompson. The area has dozens of hidden coves, lush kelp forests offshore, and even several spectacular waterfalls. Monterey Bay is also very beautiful, and has an abundant marine wildlife population. Despite the water being freezing, the diving in the area is incredible, as it is part of a national marine sanctuary. Santa Barbara and Ventura also offer countless beaches, from Jalama to Rincon, that are famously known for not only their surfing, but also their diving, camping, and fishing.

Southern California Beaches

What can be said about Southern California beaches that haven’t been said before? They have been visited by millions of people, been in scores of books and movies, and are known throughout the world. For example, Malibu beach has been at the center of the surfing world for well over half a century, and Venice and Santa Monica beach are home to such iconic California symbols as the Santa Monica pier and the Venice boardwalk. Windansea in San Diego is one of the first beaches to be surfed in California, and the near by Coronado Beach has been rated as one of the top family beaches in the entire country. Southern California Beaches offer every sort of activity, ranging from surfing, diving, shopping, eating, sight seeing, spying on celebrities, camping, hiking, volleyball, and much more. The beaches of California are truly one of a kind, and once you visit them, you will understand why they are so famous.