Just beyond the resort and starting at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, the vista-rich Seascape Trail is a 1.5-mile hike along the coastal bluffs, offering up views of tide pools, native flora and fauna and, depending on the season, migrating grey whales. Santa Monica State Beach is one of the most popular beaches in all of Southern California. Named one of the best beaches in the USA, El Matador has a secluded stretch of golden sand surrounded by dramatic coastal bluffs and faces the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors also come here to play volleyball, jog along the beachs pedestrian pathway, swim, and learn how to surf. Here, be sure to explore the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Along the beach are areas for barbecuing and several restrooms and shower facilities. Santa Monica State Beach Santa Monica Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid lots and garages near the beach and in Santa Monica ($7 to $18) | Best Nearby Hotel: Hotel Shangri-La Just west of Los Angeles, Santa Monica Beach offers visitors sandy shores, a bike path, and easy access to shopping downtown. Terranea Beach Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes If you only have limited time in Los Angeles and want to spend it at the beach, this is a great option. Seal Beach has one main wide, flat beach, with plenty of lifeguard stations, as well as places to change and restrooms. These spectacular aquatic forests can reach up to 100 feet! Esplanade Beach in Pacifica Secret Hidden Beaches in Southern California Without Crowds - SeaSpiration For a luxurious beach experience that makes you feel like youre on a tropical island, check out Descanso Beach on Catalina Island. 7 best beaches in Malibu - Lonely Planet One of the most popular Southern California beaches, Newport Beach offers visitors sandy shores, boat trips, and a laid back and fun atmosphere. Huntington Beach City Beach 9. Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid lot and metered street parking | Best Nearby Hotel: The Pacific Inn. Also nearby are places like Palisades Park and the Annenberg Community Beach House. Planning a trip to the area and wondering what are the best beaches in Southern California? Best Beaches in Coronado CA - California Beaches "Blown away," "perfect location," and "amazing" are just some of the words guests have used to describe it. Zuma Beach is renowned for surfing, swimming, and other water sports. The city is on The Strand, also known as the Marvin Braude Bike Path, which stretches 20 miles north in Santa Monica. If you want to see what else there is to do in SoCal, check out my other guides: Click on a star to rate (you can leave feedback after clicking submit). To help you decide which coast to travel to next, U.S. News considered traveler sentiment and factors like aesthetics, atmosphere and convenience to determine the best California beaches. Upgrade your browser - Unfortunately, this site has updated features that cannot run on this version of Internet Explorer. 22 Top-Rated Beaches in California | PlanetWare Other county and state beaches have similar amenities, though each beach offers different accommodations. It's a wide stretch of sand and one of Laguna's best beaches with surf that can be rough. This San Diego beach constantly ranks among the top ten beaches in the country. The most beautiful beaches in California are: CuddlyNestprovides all accommodations to all travelers atthe best price. Santa Barbara is the quintessential Southern California beach town, complete with balmy weather, swaying palm trees, expansive stretches of sandy shoreline, and traditional Spanish Colonial-style architecture. The beach is just under two miles long, but it's wide with usually decent surf. Manhattan Beach. 1. Southern California's most entertaining beach is Venice Beach, where it's as much fun to people-watch as it is to enjoy the ocean. The city's central beach, called Main Beach, is right where Laguna Canyon meets the Pacific Coast Highway. There's also an abundance of facilities, bathrooms, and outdoor showers, along with nearby businesses for snacks, meals, and beach supplies. You can chill at the beach or head into town for fresh seafood, wine tasting, and live musical performances. Learn more. Other options for beach camping in California include Scorpion Ranch in Channel Islands National Park and Kirk Creek Campground further north in Big Sur. Here, you can catch street performers and browse local art on the boardwalk, stroll through a neighborhood full of canals, visit Muscle Beach, or dine in style. Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid parking lot ($00.25 per 10 minute increment up to a maximum of 90 minutes) | Best Nearby Hotel: Hotel June Malibu. At the beach itself, youll find surfers chasing waves near the pier and people relaxing under the sun. Belmont Park is also home to several kid-friendly rides, like the Tilt-A-Whirl and Liberty Carousel. The Best Secluded Beaches in California To Discover Now It's a popular spot for community members and tourists alike. Written by Brad Lane Updated May 10, 2023. Read More: Top Things to Do in Malibu, CA. The surf is gentle but adequate for beginning surfers, and the area is also windy enough for windsurfing. What are the best beaches in Southern California for swimming? With rocky cliffs perfect for fishing, driftwood on the tranquil beach area, surrounding canyons, and two campgrounds, Point Mugu State Park is definitely a beautiful addition to your beach camping list. Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. Since parking is limited, El Matador has a private beach feel. 3. Google Maps | Website | Parking: metered street parking ($2.50 $4.50 per hour), parking lots | Best Nearby Hotel: Pacific Edge Hotel. When the tide is low, youll be able to walk through most of the rocky archesand you may run into an engagement photo shoot or two. 8 Perfect Spots For Beach Camping In Southern California - The Outbound Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Pro Tip: Round up the kids and take them to Mission Beach, where you can spend a few hours at the neighborhoods seaside amusement park, Belmont Park. Sunset Beach - Orange County. The beach is known for its many tide pools, which give visitors a peek at starfish, crabs, sea urchins, and even octopuses in the wild. The Small Town Beach In Southern California Thats An Idyllic Summer Day Trip, The Gold Coast In Southern California Is The Best Place To Spend A Long Weekend, On Your Way To The Beach, Enjoy A Meal At This Hidden Gem Brunch Spot In Southern California, 9 Gorgeous Lakes In Southern California That You Must Check Out This Summer, Part Small Town And Part Natural Wonder, Big Bear Lake Is The Ultimate Summer Day Trip In Southern California, This Road Trip Will Give You The Best Southern California Beach Day Youve Ever Had, The Underrated Sandy Beach In Southern California You Absolutely Need To Visit, 12 Gorgeous Beaches in Southern California You Have To Check Out This Summer, La Jolla Cove Beach may be widely known, but that doesnt mean Southern California doesnt have its fair share of hidden gems. This park includes several stunning views of the Laguna coastline. The state beach is one of three that make up Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, and it is the most popular. It's co-managed by the city and the luxurious Montage Laguna Beach, which helps maintain the flourishing bluff-top park above the beach. The beach also hosts the Original Muscle Beach, a special area that flaunts gymnastics equipment, such as parallel bars, rings, swings, and ropes available for kids and adults. Doheny State Beach is a popular 62 acres of oceanfront in Dana Point, approximately halfway between San Clemente and Laguna Beach. La Jolla Laguna Beach Los Angeles Monterey San Diego San Francisco Santa Barbara Santa Monica See all destinations 64 hotels Sort By: Carlsbad, located just 35 miles north of San Diego, offer a less congested alternative. Treasure Island Beach is another must-visit coastal destination in Laguna Beach. Whether you come to explore the tide pools in Victoria Beachs rocky areas, lay out on the sand, or snap a photo with the tower, your visit wont disappoint. Laguna Beach has the clearest beaches in Southern California. Schooner Gulch State Beach in Mendocino offers a surreal experience as the tide goes out to reveal Bowling Ball Beach. A must-visit here is Belmont Park, an amusement park well-known for its massive roller coaster that speeds up to 48 mph with sharp dips and turns and gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. About 20 minutes north of San Diego in Del Mar, Torrey Pines State Reserve and Beach has a hiking trail that snakes along the coast and overlooks Southern Californias coastline and Pacific Ocean. Accommodation: Best Beach Resorts in Santa Barbara, Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Santa Barbara, CA. Google Maps | Website | Parking: limited parking on top of the bluffs ($8) | Best Nearby Hotel: Westlake Village Inn. Sleeps 7 3 bedrooms 5 beds. Considered one of Orange Countys largest remaining examples of open space and natural seashore, this sprawling state park encompasses 3.2 miles of the Pacific Ocean coastline. More Mesa Beach in Santa Barbara Angela is the staff writer for Only in Your State - Southern California. Google Maps | Website | Parking: free lot and street parking | Best Nearby Hotel: Ocean Surf Inn. Getting to this. Zuma Beach is one of the largest and most famous beaches in Los Angeles County. Written by Alesandra Dubin. Just west of Los Angeles, Santa Monica Beach offers visitors sandy shores, a bike path, and easy access to shopping downtown. Check out Visit CaliforniasResponsible Travel Hubfor guidance on how visitors can travel within California safely. For those willing to pay for privacy, the Monarch Bay Beach Club at Monarch Beach Resort offers guests and members private access to the beach, complete with umbrellas, towels and chair service. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. And if you visit at low tide, you can check out the beachs sea cave and tide pools. After a relaxing day of picnicking and watching cormorants take flight, visitors can check into the nearby historic Requa Inn, overlooking the mouth of the Klamath River in Redwood National and State Parks. The wide, flat beach is fronted by the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk, lined with artists and street performers on one side, and shops, restaurants, and cafs on the other. The 7 Best Places for Beach Camping in Southern California - TripSavvy Closest city: Santa Barbara. Hermosa Beach. This beachfront San Diego Airbnb has got it all, including a rooftop deck, Jacuzzi, and dining area above the beautiful Mission Bay. It's because Coronado Beach delivers so many of the elements for a classic beach experience. If you want to experience the clearest water in California, where you can snorkel, kayak, swim, and have a crystal clear view of the marine life in the water, then youre going to fall in love with La Jolla Cove Beach, the clearest beach in California.