California is home to some of the most picturesque and stunning beaches in the world. From the rustic shores of Big Sur to the bustling city beach of Santa Monica, California’s coastline offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a quiet day of sunbathing or an exciting day at the beach, California has it all.
This blog will explore some of the most beautiful and best beaches in California. From iconic surfing spots like Malibu to hidden gems like Manresa State Beach, each one offers something unique that makes it stand out from the rest. So grab your swimsuit and get ready to explore some of California’s best beaches!
Here is a list of the top 10 best beaches in California, according to various sources:
10. Pismo Beach
#10 in best beaches in California
Pismo Beach is a city located in San Luis Obispo County, on the Central Coast of California. It is known for its wide, sandy beach, which stretches for miles along the Pacific Ocean. The beach is popular for swimming, surfing, and other beach activities, and it is also a great spot for wildlife viewing, as it is home to a variety of birds and other animals.
Pismo Beach also has a number of restaurants, shops, and other attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, go for a swim, or explore the local area, Pismo Beach is a great place to visit.
9. Monterey Bay Beach
#9 in best beaches in California
Monterey Bay Beach is a beautiful and popular beach located on the Pacific coast in Monterey County, California. The beach is located in the city of Monterey, which is a popular tourist destination known for its rich history, charming boutiques, art galleries, and seafood restaurants.
Monterey Bay Beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and other beach activities, and it is also a good spot for surfing, thanks to the consistent waves that roll in from the Pacific Ocean. The beach is also home to a number of popular events and festivals throughout the year, including the Monterey Bay Kite Festival and the Monterey Bay Blues Festival.
8. Carmel Beach
#8 in best beaches in California
Carmel Beach is a beautiful and popular beach located on the Pacific coast in Monterey County, California. It is known for its wide, sandy shoreline, clear water, and picturesque surroundings. The beach is located in the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is a popular tourist destination known for its charming boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.
Carmel Beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and other beach activities, and it is also a good spot for surfing, thanks to the consistent waves that roll in from the Pacific Ocean. The beach is also home to a number of popular events and festivals throughout the year, including the Carmel Beach Sandcastle Festival and the Big Sur Marathon.
7. Newport Beach
#7 in best beaches in California
Newport Beach is one of the most popular beaches in California. The beach is situated in Orange County and is known for its beautiful weather and stunning scenery. The beach is also home to a number of activities such as swimming, surfing, fishing, and sunbathing.
See also; Top 10 most beautiful beaches in the U.S.
6. La Jolla Shores Beach
#6 in best beaches in California
Another highly regarded beach in California La Jolla Shores Beach. Located in the city of La Jolla, which is just north of San Diego, La Jolla Shores Beach is known for its wide, sandy shoreline and clear, warm water. It is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and other beach activities, and it is also a great spot for surfing, thanks to the consistent waves that roll in from the Pacific Ocean.
La Jolla Shores Beach is also home to a number of popular events and festivals throughout the year, including the La Jolla Shores Surf Classic and the La Jolla Shores Beach Festival. The beach is also adjacent to the La Jolla Shores Park, which offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and other amenities for visitors to enjoy.
5. Venice Beach
#5 in best beaches in California
Venice Beach is one of the most popular beaches in California. With its wide beach, Venice Boardwalk, and many shops and restaurants, it is no wonder that this beach is always crowded. Visitors can enjoy activities such as swimming, sunbathing, surfing, skateboarding, and more.
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4. Santa Monica Beach
#4 in best beaches in California
Santa Monica Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Southern California. The wide, sandy beach is located just south of downtown Los Angeles and is a great place to enjoy the sunny weather and beautiful ocean views.
There are plenty of things to do at Santa Monica Beach, including swimming, sunbathing, surfing, paddleboarding, and more. There are also several restaurants and cafes located near the beach, so you can grab a bite to eat or drink while you enjoy the view.
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3. Huntington Beach
#3 in best beaches in California
Huntington Beach is a popular beach town in Orange County, California. The city’s population is just over 200,000 and the median age is 36 years old. The city is known for its surfing, swiming, and coastal lifestyle.
Huntington Beach has 10 miles of coastline and is adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. The beach itself is wide and sandy with great waves for surfing. There are also many restaurants, bars, and shops lining the shore. The city is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
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2. Laguna Beach
#2 in best beaches in California
Laguna Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in California. It is located in Orange County and is well known for its art colony. The beach is also a great place to surf, swim, and sunbathe.
Laguna Beach is known for its beautiful beaches, charming downtown area, and vibrant arts scene. The city is home to the Laguna Beach Art Museum, which features works by local artists and traveling exhibits. The downtown area is filled with boutiques and restaurants, and there are also several galleries and studios where visitors can purchase handmade crafts and artwork.
Laguna Beach is a popular destination for surfers, as the waves are often good and there are several surf schools in the area that offer lessons. The city is also home to the Laguna Beach Playhouse, where visitors can attend live performances. In addition to its many cultural attractions, Laguna Beach is also home to several parks and natural areas, including Heisler Park, which has breathtaking views of the ocean and the iconic sculpture by Bernar Venet.
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1. Coronado Beach
#1 in best beaches in California
Coronado Beach is indeed a popular and highly regarded beach in California. Located on the Pacific coast in San Diego County, it is known for its wide, sandy shoreline, warm water temperatures, and beautiful surroundings. The beach is located on the island of Coronado, which is just a short drive from downtown San Diego.
It is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and other beach activities. The water is usually calm and clear, making it a good spot for snorkelling and other water sports. Coronado Beach is also home to a number of popular events and festivals throughout the year, including the Coronado Sand Castle Competition and the Coronado Flower Show.
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Best San Diego Beaches
San Diego beaches are world-famous for their beautiful weather, stunning scenery, and endless activities. From laid-back surf towns to luxury resorts, there’s a perfect beach for every traveler.
Popular San Diego beaches include Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Shores, and Coronado Beach. Mission Beach is a lively spot with a boardwalk lined with shops and restaurants. Pacific Beach is perfect for surfing and sunbathing, while La Jolla Shores offers calm waters ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Coronado Beach is a secluded paradise with sparkling white sand and clear blue waters.
San Diego is home to many beautiful beaches, each with its own unique character and attractions. Some of the best beaches in San Diego include:
- La Jolla Shores Beach: This beach is known for its wide, sandy shore and clear, blue waters. It is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and other beach activities.
- Coronado Beach: Located on Coronado Island, this beach is known for its wide, sandy shore and clear, blue waters. It is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and other beach activities.
- Pacific Beach: This beach is known for its wide, sandy shore and lively atmosphere. It is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and other beach activities, and it is also home to a number of restaurants and shops.
- Mission Beach: This beach is known for its wide, sandy shore and lively atmosphere. It is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and other beach activities, and it is also home to a number of restaurants and shops.
- Ocean Beach: This beach is known for its wide, sandy shore and laid-back atmosphere. It is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and other beach activities, and it is also home to a number of restaurants and shops.
Southern California Best Beaches
There are many beautiful beaches located in Southern California. In fact, some might say that the best beaches in California are found in Southern California! With so many great options to choose from, it can be hard to decide which beach to visit first. To help narrow down your choices, here is a list of the top 5 best Southern California beaches:
- Santa Monica Beach: Located in Los Angeles County, Santa Monica Beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and more. Visitors can also enjoy the nearby Santa Monica Pier, which offers an array of shops and restaurants.
- Venice Beach: Another great beach located in Los Angeles County is Venice Beach. This beach is known for its lively atmosphere and is a popular spot for people watching. visitors can also find a number of unique shops and restaurants in the area.
- Malibu Lagoon State Beach: This state beach is located in Los Angeles County and is a great spot for swimming, surfing, picnicking, and more. Visitors can also explore the adjacent Malibu Pier.
- Manhattan Beach: Manhattan Beach is a beautiful beach located in Los Angeles County that offers stunning views of the coastline. It’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and more.
- Hermosa Beach: Hermosa Beach is another excellent beach located in Los Angeles County that features lovely views of the oceanfront property developments along The Strand. It
Best Northern California Beaches
From the wild and rugged coastline of Mendocino to the sunny shores of San Diego, Northern California offers a wide variety of beach destinations to suit every taste. Here are just a few of our favorites.
- Carmel-by-the-Sea: This picturesque seaside town is home to white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and stunning coastal views. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium or take a leisurely stroll through Cannery Row.
- Half Moon Bay: Just south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is well known for its dramatic cliffs, beautiful sunsets, and excellent surfing conditions. Be sure to check out Pillar Point Harbor for some great seafood dining options.
- Huntington Beach: With over 10 miles of pristine beaches, Huntington Beach is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and more. The lively Main Street area offers plenty of shopping and dining options, while the pier provides stunning ocean views.
- Santa Cruz: Located just north of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous natural setting. The famous Boardwalk amusement park is a must-visit, as is Natural Bridges State Park with its breathtaking coastal views and tidepools teeming with marine life.
10 best beach towns in California
- Newport Beach
- Laguna Beach
- Dana Point
- Huntington Beach
- Hermosa Beach
- Manhattan Beach
- Venice Beach
- Malibu
- La Jolla
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
California is blessed with some of the best beaches in the world, and choosing just 10 was no easy task. From Santa Barbara to San Diego, from Big Sur to Malibu – each of these beaches offer something unique that makes them special and a great destination for either a weekend getaway or an extended vacation. Whether you’re looking for dramatic cliffs, majestic sunsets, serene ocean views, or vibrant nightlife scenes – there’s something here for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Grab your beach gear and get ready to explore California’s beautiful coastline!