11 Best Beaches in California, From Surfer-Friendly to Cliffside Views

Why we love it: This beach sits between Santa Monica Pier and Malibu pro surf spots like Surfrider and Topanga, making it a convenient choice for a beach day that doesn’t take much planning. If you’re feeling adventurous, take the winding bike path along the beach, or follow the locals and park your car near lifeguard Tower 15 where there’s more space. 

How to get there: Take Pacific Coast Highway to Temescal Canyon Road and turn into the beach parking lot. There’s a $10 parking fee that jumps up a few bucks on weekends and holidays.

Other things to do: Just up the road is Temescal Gateway Park, where multiple trails will lead you into the Santa Monica Mountains. Completing the Temescal Ridge Trail takes about an hour and a half and is a hearty workout, but the ocean and city views from the top are quite the reward.

Why we love it: This town is known as Surf City, USA, for a reason: Huntington City Beach has the most consistent break in the country, making it popular with both first-time and experienced surfers. As a bonus, you’ll also get some five-star people watching all along the Huntington Beach Pier. To avoid the crowds, place your beach blankets down north of the pier. (When you’re officially over the crowds, split for Bolsa Chica Beach, a 10-minute drive away.)

How to get there: If you’re coming from L.A., just zip down the 405 and take the Seal Beach exit. From there, head south on the Pacific Coast Highway until you hit the pier. 

Other things to do: The pier is one the longest on the West Coast. At the end you’ll find a Ruby’s Diner, which has the popular Jan & Dean’s tiki lounge on the second floor. For a change of scenery, drive 15 minutes to Newport Beach and visit the Upper Newport Bay Nature Reserve or stroll through the charming Balboa Village.

Why we love it: Crystal Cove State Park has four of the best beaches in California spread along 3.2 miles of rugged coastline, complete with tidepools, easy hiking trails, and campsites. Head to Moro Beach for water sports like surfing and paddle-boarding (just remember to bring your own gear), or take the kids to explore at Pelican Point and Little Treasure Cove. Keep an eye out for the Historic District, where you’ll find rustic beachfront cottages from the 1930s and ’40s (you can even rent one for the night if you book well in advance).

How to get there: The park is located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, about an hour south of Los Angeles. All four entrance points are easy to access from the 405 and 5 freeways.

Other things to do: Just up the hill from the park’s northern end is The Resort at Pelican Hill, a Mediterranean-inspired retreat with luxury villas and a fabulous swimming pool. Use the resort as your home base, or just pop in for a spa treatment and dinner. For something decidedly more casual, check out Balboa Fun Zone, a harbor-side amusement park 20 minutes away on Balboa Island.

Why we love it: Just as cool as it sounds, the so-called Lost Coast is the only coastal wilderness area in the contiguous United States. It features more than 30 miles of wild coastline where you’re likely to see bear, elk, and seals. You’ll find a handful of trails within the park—all of which cater to more advanced hikers—but the stunning Black Sands Beach is just off the parking lot.

How to get there: This beach is in Humboldt County, about five hours north of San Francisco by car. Getting to the beach, though, requires an hour of following steep, winding roads from Highway 101. On the plus side, the gorgeous views are worth the brake pads you’ll burn through.

Other things to do: Aside from hiking and camping along the Lost Coast, you can head further inland to explore the lush Redwood National Park. A handful of trails wind through the massive redwoods and along the coast. Fun fact: Parts of “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” were filmed in Fern Canyon.

Why we love it: There aren’t many oceanfront campsites in the state, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at South Carlsbad State Beach. Plus these clifftop campsites are much easier to book than those up at Big Sur. (Carlsbad State Beach, just north from here, has RV parking.) Though this beach feels remote, it’s just outside of San Diego—so when you want a break from roughing it, there are plenty of great places to eat out or stock up on supplies nearby. 

How to get there: Take the 5 freeway to the Palomar Airport Road exit. Head south along Carlsbad Boulevard. 

Other things to do: North of the beach is Legoland, a popular theme park that caters to families with young children. Directly east of the beach you’ll also find several championship golf courses, like the Aviara Golf Club and The Crossings at Carlsbad. And, when you want the essence of roughing it without really having to? Grab dinner at Campfire in Carlsbad, which has expert cocktails, beautifully plated smoked foods, and s’mores that come with their own tiny fire pit.

Why we love it:  Just north of Los Angeles, Malibu has a lot to offer. The beach city is home to a nature preserve, world-class—albeit crowded—waves, great hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, and some staggeringly ostentatious houses (that, yes, you can rent and stay in for the weekend). The Malibu Lagoon sits adjacent to the famous Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier, and though it’s not the best for swimming, it’s a low-key spot for a day on the beach. Visit the Adamson House at the edge of the lagoon, which was built in 1929 and shows what life was like before Malibu’s present-day glitz.

How to get there: From Los Angeles, take the 10 West freeway until it turns into Pacific Coast Highway, then go past Santa Monica until you reach Malibu. 

Other things to do: Malibu Farm Cafe at the end of the pier is a great spot for lunch, or head to the swanky Nobu Malibu just down the road (you’ll probably want to stick around ’til sunset for the view). Across from the Adamson House is the Malibu Country Mart, which has a mix of designer and local shops, and the soon-to-open Malibu Contemporary Fine Art Gallery. (Coming March 11, 2020.)

Why we love it: This beach is an easy day trip from San Francisco, making it popular with residents eager to escape the city. But this spot is also great for visitors, given that there’s room for everyone, and the waves are great for surfing and swimming (if you can stand the chilly water, that is). There are picnic tables and barbecue grills right on the sand, so don’t forget to pack your picnic supplies, and come early to snag a spot (especially in warmer months).

How to get there: Take highway 101 from the Golden Gate Bridge to the 1. From there, you can either take the windy road pointing to Stinson Beach or opt for the more direct Panoramic Highway. 

Other things to do: The Siren Canteen is a small restaurant at the base of the lifeguard tower that serves cold beer and small snacks from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Adjacent to the beach is Mount Tamalpais State Park, which has plenty of hiking and biking trails through beautiful redwood groves (you’ll find everything from quick hikes to half-day journeys to the summit).

Why we love it: There’s a reason Big Sur demands a stop on nearly every California road trip: The area is so gorgeous it looks like a Hollywood green screen. While most of the beaches are off limits, there are a few you can get to, like Limekiln State Beach, and, for a fee, Pfeiffer Beach. Hike along the coastline from where you’ll see huge cliffs, waterfalls plunging into the ocean, lush vegetation, and maybe even dolphins and otters playing in the shallows. There are places to camp, but book in advance because they fill up fast.

How to get there: The park is about 35 miles south of Carmel, near the 35.8 mile marker on the scenic Highway 1. 

Other things to do: Further north on Highway 1 is the Nepenthe restaurant, where you can take in the astonishing views and tuck into bright California cuisine. Want to stay overnight? Ventana Big Sur offers “glampsites” with safari-style canvas tents and luxe amenities.

Why we love it: There’s a lot to love about Santa Barbara. This mellow seaside city has a wonderfully laid-back vibe, great food, and even better wine pouring down from the many nearby vineyards. Of the many beaches and surf spots, Leadbetter is a crowdpleaser with lots of space and the perfect lunch spot—Shoreline Beach Café—smack dab in the middle of the sand. Plus, other nearby spots like East Beach and West Beach are just a quick walk away. 

How to get there: From Los Angeles, take the 101 to exit 97 and follow directions to Shoreline Drive. You park at the Shoreline Beach Café, although as with most beaches in California there is a parking fee.

Other things to do: Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, just behind Leadbetter Beach, is considered the city’s new arts and culture hub, and home to the city’s urban wine trail. Grab a glass at Santa Barbara Winery before popping into the art galleries and boutiques surrounding it, and don’t miss lunch or dinner at Loquita Santa Barbara. 

Why we love it: This beach is not for the acrophobic. To reach Blacks, you’ll have to hike 300 feet down the cliffs from Torrey Pines and the world-famous Gliderport where hang-gliders take off. Once you’re down though, you’ll find stunning views, powerful waves for experienced surfers, and a clothing-optional section to the north just…in case. 

How to get there: Aside from making the steep descent from the Gliderport, you can also access Blacks Beach from the La Jolla Farms neighborhood—follow the unmarked trail near the 9000 block of La Jolla Farms Road (ask a passerby to point you in the right direction if you don’t spot it). La Jolla itself is about 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego via the 5 freeway.

Other things to do: Behind the cliffs of Blacks Beach are several great hiking trails, though some are rocky and require intermediate climbing skills. Further down, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps is well worth a visit, especially with kids, as is the Estancia La Jolla hotel where you can reward your climb up the cliffs with a spa treatment. 

Why we love it: When you envision the ultimate SoCal beach scene, you’re probably picturing Zuma Beach. It’s huge—we’re talking nearly two miles long—and has plenty to do, from beach volleyball to surfing. (For the latter, sign up with Malibu Makos Surf Club for surf lessons or rent your gear at the nearby Radfish Malibu Boardshop.) The water is usually pretty chilly, but on hot days it’s a welcome relief. Keep your eyes on the horizon and you might spot dolphins or whales in the winter.

How to get there: Zuma is located right off the Pacific Coast Highway, about 45 minutes north of Santa Monica. There’s plenty of parking, but you’ll have to pay.

Other things to do: Refuel at Neptune’s Net, a landmark seafood restaurant and biker hangout that you might recognize from “Point Break” or “The Fast and The Furious” (make sure to order the fried shrimp). If you have more time to kill, head inland to Malibu Wine Safaris where you’ll drive past zebras, alpacas, and giraffes between tastings. 

Why we love it: Santa Cruz is the epitome of a laidback California surf town. It’s got that trademark hippie vibe, rugged surfer dudes, mouth-watering fish tacos, and world-class waves at dozens of beaches. Of the many stretches of sand, Natural Bridges is special, thanks to a stunning rock formation that rises out of the water and an annual monarch butterfly migration that takes places onshore in November.

How to get there: Santa Cruz is about an hour and a half south of San Francisco. From Highway 1, follow West Cliff Drive West until it ends at Natural Bridges.

Other things to do: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is topped with an old school amusement park, and there are loads of surf shops to visit. This being California, wineries are never far away either. Head to the Santa Cruz Mountains to visit one (or three) of the area’s 70 wineries as a day trip. 

Why we love it: Everything about Ocean Beach, sometimes referred to as O.B., is big. It’s where you come to bear witness to the power of the ocean, as huge Pacific waves stream in from thousands of miles away and detonate onto the sandy shore. The wide sands stretch for as far as the eye can see, and it’s easy to feel like you’re in another world—when, really, you’re in San Francisco’s backyard. Strong rip currents mean this isn’t the beach for a casual dip, but there’s plenty of space for frolicking on the sand, and advanced surfers will find the challenging waves they crave. 

How to get there: Ocean Beach is accessible by car, bike, bus, and even street car Muni lines from throughout San Francisco.

Other things to do: From Ocean Beach, bike the path next to the Great Highway, or check out the ruins of the Sutro Baths, formerly a public bathhouse. The western edge of Golden Gate Park is nearby as well, so you can pop over for a shaded walk. 

Why we love it: For a quiet beach day packed with wildlife, Muir Beach is just the right escape. This little cove is filled with pristine tide pools teeming with anemone, starfish, and octopus—enough to keep kids and adults occupied for hours. Even better, it’s just minutes from Muir Woods, where you’ll find walking trails winding through a grove of redwood trees.

How to get there: Head north from San Francisco on the 101, and take Highway 1 to Pacific Way at mile marker 5.7. The beach’s parking lot is at the end of the road. There’s no parking fee nor entrance fee, but it does get crowded on sunny days. 

Other things to do: After the beach, spend some time walking the streets of Sausalito, a charming waterfront town about 25 minutes away and right across the bay from San Francisco. Take kids to Bay Area Discovery Museum, at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge.