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Best Beaches In California That Will Make You Fall In Love With The Golden State
Nestled along the breathtaking Pacific coastline, the state of California boasts an incredible collection of majestic beaches. From the sun-drenched shores of San Diego to the rugged cliffs of Big Sur, the Golden State of California is a haven for beach enthusiasts, with each destination offering its own unique charm and beauty.
But which are the best beaches in California, exactly? For sure, the following seaside spots are the answer to that question, with each one offering plenty of recreational activities with a vibrant beach culture. So, put on some sunscreen and get ready to have an unforgettable beach experience in the Golden State.
10 Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica
Pier on Santa Monica Beach, California during sunset
Located in the city of Santa Monica near Los Angeles, Santa Monica Beach is one of the top beaches in the United States, especially for families with children. Stretching for 3.5 miles, one of the highlights of Santa Monica Beach is the Santa Monica Pier, which also features an amusement park called Pacific Park, serving as a hub of entertainment and recreation.
The beach boasts a wide sandy shore, providing opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, picnicking, and beach sports like volleyball and soccer.
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Nearby Attractions:
Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park, and Getty Villa Museum
For the quintessential Santa Monica experience, visitors can rent a bike or a pair of rollerblades and glide along the beachfront bike path while enjoying the picturesque coastline and various other attractions along the way.
9 Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, Orange County CA
Located in Southern California, Laguna Beach is renowned for its natural beauty, artistic culture, and stunning coastal scenery. One of the top attractions in Laguna Beach is its seven miles long pristine coastline, featuring several beautiful beaches and coves offering various opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
The coastline is dotted with dramatic cliffs and rock formations that provide a stunning backdrop and create picturesque tide pools to explore during low tide. The beaches also feature multiple hiking trails offering breathtaking views of the ocean with various outdoor exploration opportunities.
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Nearby Attractions
: Heisler Park, Laguna Art Museum, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, and Crystal Cove State Park
8 Moonstone Beach, Cambria
The boardwalk on Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California
Moonstone Beach is a captivating beach located in Cambria, a charming coastal town on the central coast of California, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and picturesque coastline. One of the distinctive features of Moonstone Beach is the smooth, colorful round stones that wash up along the shoreline, named “moonstones” for their resemblance to the ethereal glow of the moon.
Moonstone Beach offers a serene environment characterized by rugged cliffs, dramatic rock formations, and scenic viewpoints providing breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can take a leisurely walk on the beach boardwalk or explore the various tide pools along the sandy shore for a wholesome beach experience.
All in all, this is one of the top beaches in California that’s a little quieter than the rest and perfect for enjoying scenic views and seaside serenity away from hordes of people.
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Nearby Attractions:
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, Hearst Castle, Elephant Seal Rookery, and Cambria Village
7 Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur
Light Show at Keyhole Arch, Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur
Pfeiffer Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in California as well as one of the most unique. This is a stunning and secluded beach in the Big Sur region of California, renowned for its picturesque beauty, rugged coastline, and unique features. The beach features a wide expanse of sandy shoreline, perfect for leisurely walks, picnicking, and sunbathing.
The beach is known for its dramatic rock formations, including the famous Keyhole Rock, a massive rock formation featuring a natural arch that (at certain times) offers a frame for beautiful sunset views. Another distinctive characteristic of Pfeiffer Beach is its unusual purple sand because of the manganese garnet deposits washing the shoreline from the surrounding cliffs.
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Nearby Attractions:
McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Bixby Creek Bridge, and Partington Cove
Swimming at Pfeiffer Beach is not recommended due to strong currents and unpredictable surf conditions. It’s essential to exercise caution and pay attention to warning signs.
6 El Matador State Beach, Malibu
El Matador State Beach, Malibu, CA at sunset
El Matador State Beach is a stunning coastal gem in Malibu, California, popular for its picturesque beauty, breathtaking cliffs, unique rock formations, and pristine sandy shoreline. One of the standout features of El Matador State Beach is its towering cliffs and rocky outcrops that create a dramatic backdrop against the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.
The beach also features incredible sea caves, arches, and natural tunnels. Along with other fun beach activities, visitors can venture through the arches and explore the hidden nooks and crannies carved into the cliffs.
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Nearby Attractions:
Zuma Beach, Malibu Pier, Malibu Wine Safari, and Point Dume State Beach
5 Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
The giant rock at Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach is a captivating coastal destination in Santa Cruz, California. It is renowned for its natural beach beauty. The beach derives its name from the natural arches and bridges formed by ancient sea caves that line the shoreline.
One of the key attractions of Natural Bridges State Beach is the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve, home to thousands of Monarch butterflies during their winter migration. Additionally, the beach has a wheelchair-accessible trail winding through the scenic coastal environment, ideal for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful bike ride.
Visitors can also explore the tide pools teeming with marine life, including anemones, crabs, starfish, and various colorful sea creatures.
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Nearby Attractions:
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, West Cliff Drive, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Wilder Ranch State Park
4 Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo
A beautiful view of Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo
Pismo Beach is a charming coastal town located in San Luis Obispo County, California, popular for its beautiful beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and wide range of recreational activities. One of the main attractions of Pismo Beach is its stunning coastline, featuring miles of picturesque golden sand sandy beaches offering breathtaking ocean views, making it an ideal place for sunbathing, beach picnics, swimming, bodyboarding, and other water activities.
These beaches are also famous for their unique geological feature known as the Pismo Dunes, expanding for miles along the coast and providing opportunities for off-roading, ATV riding, and dune buggying.
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Nearby Attractions:
Dinosaur Caves Park, Edna Valley Wine Region, San Luis Obispo Downtown, and Montana de Oro State Park
Check the tide schedule before planning activities. Low tide days are an ideal time to venture out and explore the shoreline, as one will have more room to spread out and enjoy the beach.
3 La Jolla Cove, San Diego
La Jolla Cove, San Diego, California
La Jolla Cove is a picturesque coastal area and one of the best beaches in San Diego, California. One of the main attractions of La Jolla Cove is its incredible scenery. The area is characterized by rugged cliffs, rocky outcrops, and caves that line the shoreline.
The Cove isn’t just famous for being one of California’s best beaches; it’s particularly known for its remarkable snorkeling and diving opportunities. The protected underwater ecosystem of the area is part of the La Jolla Underwater Park, encompassing the Cove, nearby sea caves, and the ecological reserve.
Additionally, the small sandy beach at La Jolla Cove is a perfect spot for sunbathing, picnicking, and simply enjoying the coastal ambiance.
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Nearby Attractions:
Birch Aquarium, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
2 Stinson Beach, Marin County
Stinson Beach, Marin County California
Nestled within the Point Reyes National Seashore, Stinson Beach is a captivating coastal retreat in Marin County, California. One of the highlights of Stinson Beach is its wide expanse of soft sandy shoreline, stretching for approximately three miles and offering ample room for sunbathing, beach games, and leisurely walks along the water’s edge.
This seaside spot easily earns its place among the most beautiful beaches California has in store for visitors; it’s flanked by picturesque coastal cliffs and rolling hills covered in lush greenery, adding to the overall charm. Plus, the place provides excellent surf conditions, attracting surfers of all skill levels.
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Nearby Attractions:
Mount Tamalpais, Muir Woods National Monument, and Point Reyes National Seashore
The weather at the beach can vary throughout the day. It’s always a good idea to bring extra layers, such as a light jacket or sweater, especially if one plans to stay until the evening.
1 Huntington Beach, Orange County
View of the sunset at Huntington Beach, Orange County, California
Huntington Beach, often referred to as “Surf City, USA,” is a vibrant coastal city in Orange County, California, known for its pristine shoreline stretching for approximately 9.5 miles. The wide sandy beaches provide plenty of space for sunbathing, beach games, and leisurely walks. This is also one of the most popular beaches in California for surfers due to its consistent waves.
The highlight of the city’s beach culture is the iconic Huntington Beach Pier, which extends 1,850 feet into the Pacific Ocean, serving as a prime spot for fishing with stunning views of the coastline. Visitors can take a leisurely walk along the pier while observing the surfers and beachgoers in action.
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Nearby Attractions:
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, International Surfing Museum, Huntington Central Park, and Pacific City
