The Official Guide to California’s Best Beaches

Stretching 840 miles, the California coast has over 420 named public beaches with everything from foggy, rocky spans to sun-soaked sandy shores. Some are often jam-packed with people sunbathing, playing beach volleyball, and surfing the waves, while others are tucked into secluded coves. The very best beaches in the Golden State are subjective, with something for every interest, but having explored from North to South countless times as a native Californian, I feel these are the best you’ll find, no matter what you’re idea of the perfect day at the beach might be. 

A little over 80 miles south of the Oregon/California border, Trinidad State Beach is a long and sandy stretch that’s easy to access, serene, and ideal for tidepooling. Nestled in a secluded cove near the town of Trinidad, the rock formations just offshore make for great photo ops. With the water cold and the waves rough, few people swim here, but if you head to College Cove at the north end when conditions are calm, it is possible to enjoy a dip by proceeding with caution. Otherwise, it’s best for tossing a Frisbee, taking advantage of the picnic facilities, relaxing, and enjoying peaceful contemplation. Public restrooms are available, while the closest eateries are in town, about a mile away. 

Located at the north end of Fort Bragg along the Mendocino Coast, Glass Beach is actually made up of three different stretches of sand that are covered with smooth, colorful sea glass. There usually isn’t much on the most northern span, as it’s the easiest to get to, with the more southern stretch generally the best. The third has the most glass of them all, but it can only be reached via sea kayak. They all served as dumping grounds from 1906 to 1967, but after that was banned, clean-up programs began while the waves naturally pounded glass soda bottles, windows, and other glass debris, resulting in the various colored sea glass that mixes in with the sand and pebbles. 

Bodega Bay became world-famous as the town that served as a filming site for Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” but there’s no need to be concerned about seagull attacks in real life. Just watch your picnic foods as they can be sneaky when it comes to sneaking a bite! Doran Beach is the perfect place to enjoy it. The two-mile stretch is ideal for long walks, flying kites, paddleboarding, sea kayaking, and kitesurfing. If you want to stick around a while, there’s a campground here, too.

There are no lifeguards on duty here, and the water is very cold, but on a warm summer’s day, it’s great for cooling your feet in the shallow water near the shore. Bring all your own supplies as there are no food vendors or rentals available, but you will find public restrooms. Junior Rangers sometimes offer special events like cultural talks.

There’s so much to do at Santa Cruz Main Beach, even if you have hard-to-please preteens or teens, they’re practically guaranteed to enjoy it here. Backed by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, when you aren’t out on the huge sandy stretch, you can enjoy the rides, carnival games, and shops. The waves are relatively calm right here, popular for wading, swimming, boogie boarding, and bodysurfing. World-famous Steamer Lane is nearby, drawing surfers from across the globe. 

During the summer, lifeguards are on duty and you’ll have access to pretty much all the usual beach facilities, including multiple public restrooms and outdoor showers for rinsing off.

Baker Beach is one of the best vantage points for capturing a postcard-perfect photo of the Golden Gate Bridge. It stretches for a mile along the western shore of the Presidio and offers soft stands for strolling and sunbathing. At the northern end, you can even go sans clothing, while those who prefer to keep their clothes on tend to stick around the southern end. 

If you want to do more walking, the beach connects to the Presidio by a hiking trail for exploring the rugged cliffs. There are public restrooms along with a picnic area with grills and tables nestled in a cypress grove at the east end of the parking lot. There are no lifeguards as it’s not safe to swim here due to the rip currents, undertow, and big waves.

Driving along the narrow highway south of Carmel to Big Sur, and ultimately Pfeiffer Beach, is all part of the fun and scenic adventure. Part of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, this is one of the most spectacular stretches of coast in California. The beach itself is famous for Keyhole Rock, a huge rock arch thrashed by the waves, and its stretch of purple-hued sands. The manganese garnet in the craggy cliffside soaring above washes down, creating that dazzling shade that makes for fantastic photo ops. While you’re here, keep an eye out for the endangered California condors that like to hang out in the area.

The park has multiple picnic areas with charcoal grills, many of which lie next to Big Sur River, a popular spot to cool off as the waves at the beach are too powerful for safe swimming. You’ll also find hiking trails and a nature center. 

Only nine miles from Santa Cruz Main Beach, with its sweep of sand curving around Monterey Bay, Seacliff State Beach is much less crowded as more of a local’s hangout, popular for swimming. During the summer, there are staffed lifeguard towers. One of the most impressive features is the rich natural habitat. One of the richest on California’s coast, there’s a wealth of marine life here, from abundant sea otters, seals, and sea lions, to orcas, gray whales, and great white sharks. 

This long stretch of sand is backed by bluffs, and you’ll find a visitor center, covered picnic facilities, and public restrooms. Interpretive exhibits and occasional programs for families are offered too.

Another 10 miles further south from Seacliff and you’ll come to Sunset State Beach. One of the areas most remote, it feels as if it’s worlds away from the crowded Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Curving around San Cruz County’s southern tip, there’s a seemingly endless stretch of sand with high dunes and pine trees. Three miles of uninterrupted shoreline runs south to the mouth of Pajaro River, while picnic areas are dotted along the back of the dunes and at oceanside. As the beach is prone to rip tides, even wading should only be done by experienced swimmers. 

It’s worth sticking around for the glorious sunsets with the sky often turning into an orange blaze. If you want to stay overnight, there’s a campground with shady sites beneath the Monterey pines and Monterey cypress. Fire pits, hot showers, and restrooms are all available. 

One of those rare hidden gems in Southern California, El Matador State Beach in Malibu, requires descending a set of steep stairs, helping to keep the crowds away. It’s renowned for its rock formations with stone columns rising from the waves. There are arches you can walk beneath that jut out from the sea cliffs, or you can simply bring a towel to spread out between the rocks, sunbathe, and enjoy the striking natural beauty that surrounds you. Facilities are limited to porta-potties, but you will find full restrooms, showers, and picnic facilities nearby at Zuma Beach, approximately four miles south.

Laguna Beach offers seven miles of coastal cliffs and idyllic sands, often tucked into picturesque coves. Crystal Cove State Beach is one of the most beautiful, with 3.2 miles of beach spread through seven coves and a preserved underwater area just offshore. There are nearly 20 miles of trails for hiking, and both guided treks and tidepool walks are led by park staff. Visitors can also walk or bike a paved trail atop the bluff. 

Part of Crystal Cove State Park, there are lifeguards on duty, public restrooms, rinse-off showers, and even a historic district with vintage cottages.

Just west of Los Angeles proper, Santa Monica is another beach that offers a ton of fun with 3.5 acres of soft sands and rolling waves. The highlight here may be the iconic Santa Monica Pier that’s been featured in countless films and TV series from “Forrest Gump” and “Iron Man” to “Three’s Company.” It includes an amusement park with a Ferris wheel where you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the coast, a roller coaster, and multiple other rides. Free concerts are often held here too.

The beach includes lifeguard stations and public restrooms, while numerous eateries are available within just a short stroll. 

One of the most well-known beaches in San Diego, Mission Beach offers a wide range of activities, including surfing, boogie boarding, whale watching, fishing, diving, and beach volleyball. As the beach is so vast, when you’re looking for more room to relax on the sand, head to the south end. Visitors can rent sailboats and enjoy bike rides on the nearly two miles of oceanfront boardwalk too.  Fishing can be enjoyed off the jetty at South Mission Beach Park, while divers can explore a series of shipwrecks just a half-mile off the coast that were placed there to create an artificial reef. 

There are lifeguards on duty throughout, along with public restrooms. Plus, nearby is an amusement park with a roller coaster, bumper cars, mini-golf, and an arcade, making Mission Beach one of the best destinations for families around.