Best California Beaches for 2024

What stands out about Orange County's Laguna Beach is its collection of cove beaches, an attribute that isn't prevalent in Southern California. Spread out along one of the town's cove beaches, including Thousand Steps Beach and Victoria Beach, then head to the larger Main Beach, which enjoys a fantastic location right in the middle of town. What's more, Laguna Beach is situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, and within driving distance to other top Southern California destinations like San Clemente and Huntington Beach. It is also home to an impressive art scene and several top-notch hotels.

One of San Diego's most beautiful neighborhoods boasts some pretty enviable shorelines and superb adventure opportunities. La Jolla Shores, the neighborhood's main beach, is excellent for families. Not only is the beach patrolled by lifeguards year-round, but the waters are also calm, the shoreline is long and there's a beachside park with a playground. What's more, adventure seekers can either snorkel with leopard sharks at La Jolla Shores or among the garibaldi fish at La Jolla Cove when they're not kayaking through sea caves along the coast or getting an eyeful of sunbathing seals at the Children's Pool Beach.

This popular beach off Highway 1 is one of the few accessible beaches in Big Sur; it is also one of California's most photogenic. Located about 10 miles southeast of Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Beach impresses with its stunning surrounding cliffs and collection of rock formations. Travel to this secluded gem – preferably at sunset when lighting is best – to snap pics of its iconic Keyhole Rock and explore its tide pools. Keep in mind, though, that the beach is not safe for swimming due to its strong currents and underlying rocks.

Situated approximately 20 miles west of Santa Monica, Malibu is one of Southern California's greatest treasures. Here, you'll find tranquil beaches big and small that are perfect for exploring, lounging or both. For lots of room on the sand, head to Zuma Beach or Point Dume State Beach. Meanwhile, Carbon Beach and Puerco Beach, which overlook some of the mansions that make up this affluent community, are perfect for celebrity spotting. Between the countless beaches and nearby Santa Monica Mountains, you should allot at least a few days to explore the area.

Pismo Beach, one of the most scenic destinations off Highway 1, is the kind of place you go when you want to escape it all. This small beach town less than 12 miles south of San Luis Obispo offers little to do other than beach activities, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. While visiting, rent a kayak to check out Dinosaur Caves Park or hire a dune buggy to zip through Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. Don't forget to see the flurry of butterflies at Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove if you're in town between late October and late February.

Located about 20 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Hermosa Beach is the kind of shore that can please all types of beachgoers. Visitors can sink their toes into nearly 2 miles of sand and depending on the time of year, may find that the waters are calm enough for swimming or ideal for surfing. Sightseers will enjoy walking along the Strand, the miles-long beach boardwalk, and the 1,140-foot-long Hermosa Beach Pier, where sunsets are particularly spectacular. You'll also find amenities like beach volleyball courts, restrooms and showers, as well as plenty of eateries within walking distance.

What Monterey lacks in swimmable shorelines it makes up for in spectacular scenery. Fort Ord Dunes State Park is an underrated stunner, offering sky-high dunes with fantastic views of the Monterey Peninsula, as well as 4 miles of quiet beach, where you'll find relatively few beachgoers. For the best of Monterey, drive along Ocean View Boulevard or the legendary 17-Mile Drive. Both routes travel past pocket-size beaches that will blow you away, including romantic Lovers Point Park and Beach. When you've had your fill of the sand, visit the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium for an up-close look at the ocean's wonders.

Travel to Carmel-by-the-Sea to experience central California beauty at its best. Carmel Beach's pearlescent sand, vibrant blue water and unspoiled cypress trees make it perfect for a long, romantic stroll. What's more, Carmel Beach is dog-friendly (dogs are allowed off-leash but are expected to respond to voice commands). After soaking up the beauty of the shore, head to the adjacent town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is awash with locally owned eateries and boutiques. Make sure to stick around until evening, though, as Carmel Beach is known for hosting pretty remarkable sunsets.

Located about 40 miles northwest of San Diego, Oceanside's beaches are less crowded than those of central San Diego. The Oceanside Strand, a mile-long road that runs parallel to the city's coastline, is perfect for walking, biking or roller skating. Meanwhile, the scenic beaches complement Oceanside's small-town vibe, though the area sees an influx of tourists during the peak summer season. Start your visit at Oceanside Pier (one of the West Coast's longest wooden piers) before walking in either direction on The Strand. North takes you to the spacious Harbor Beach, while a stroll south leads to Tyson Street Beach, an excellent picnic spot.

This wide coastline just a few miles southwest of San Diego is so dreamy that it starred alongside Marilyn Monroe in the 1959 classic film "Some Like It Hot." The nearly 2-mile-long Coronado Beach proves popular with families and couples thanks to its calm ocean water, sparkling sand and legendary sunsets. What's more, the beach is a stone's throw away from Orange Avenue, Coronado Island's main drag, where you'll find plenty of restaurants and shops. For an unforgettable vacation, stay at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, which is located right along the shore and is rumored to be haunted.

If you're the kind of traveler who prefers beaches that stretch for miles, check out Half Moon Bay. This classic California beach town about 30 miles south of San Francisco is famous for its stunning Half Moon Bay State Beach, which is so vast that there are beaches within the beach. Roosevelt Beach at the northern end and Francis Beach at the southern end are both great places to soak up some rays, or head to the secluded Cowell Ranch for more solitude. For the best panoramas, hike the California Coastal Trail, which takes travelers past dramatic cliffs, forested mountains and sandy beaches.

No visit to Santa Barbara would be complete without checking out East Beach. The beach is located smack dab in the middle of the city at the tail end of State Street, Santa Barbara's main drag, where you can explore browse-worthy antique shops after a day in the sun. This beach is a great introduction to the city's beautiful shorelines, offering plenty of room for activities like volleyball and calm water suitable for little ones. Plus, it sits alongside a waterfront park, hotels and Stearns Wharf, where you can enjoy incredible views of the beaches and mountains that flank it.

Catalina Island is set approximately 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, making for a memorable beach vacation. Only accessible by high-speed ferry and private aircraft, Catalina is home to just two inhabited towns: Avalon and Two Harbors. While beaches are available around the island, the easiest shorelines to reach are located in these two areas. In Avalon, Step Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach are all within walking distance of the ferry port. Meanwhile, Two Harbors features the amenity-filled Harbor Sands beach, where you can snag palapas with comfy seating and refreshment services.

Crystal Cove State Park, located between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, is considered one of the largest remaining natural seashores in Orange County. The park is made up of multiple beaches, including popular Moro Beach and Pelican Point, and features plenty of tide pools in between. In addition to offering scenic shorelines, Crystal Cove State Park is home to 18 miles of hiking trails spread across 2,400 acres of wilderness, allowing travelers to experience the best of Southern California's gorgeous geography in one destination.

Beachgoers who don't want to deal with the hordes of tourists that congregate in Venice Beach and Santa Monica should hit up Southern California's Manhattan Beach. Located about 20 miles southwest of Los Angeles, this beautiful stretch of sand features superb waves for surfers, as well as a paved path flanked by impressive seaside homes, beach volleyball courts and a pier with incredible views of the nearby Palos Verdes Peninsula – especially at sunset. Downtown Manhattan Beach also has a diverse, up-and-coming culinary scene sure to satisfy all cravings after the day's activities.

Santa Cruz is probably one of California's most laid-back destinations, and its 29 miles of beaches are no exception. Do as the locals do and take things slow while hitting up top beaches such as Pleasure Point and Main Beach, the latter of which features the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and its amusement park. Or, travel south on California's state Route 1 to colorful Capitola Beach and forested New Brighton State Beach, which boasts a family-friendly campground that sits at the top of a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Situated roughly 12 miles east of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria's well-maintained beaches are the perfect backdrop for a relaxing seaside getaway. Lay down your towel at Carpinteria State Beach, a wide stretch of sand where you can camp, fish and explore tide pools. If you're interested in catching a wave, visitors praise the surf at Rincon Park County Beach for its excellent half-moon point break. Meanwhile, travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind experience will enjoy a visit to Tar Pits Park, one of only five natural tar pits in the world. 

The coastal city of Ventura, located less than 30 miles southeast of Santa Barbara, has everything you need for a memorable beach vacation. Not only is it a premier surfing destination (Rincon Beach and C-Street are two of the most well-known spots) but Ventura is also loved by families for its outdoor activities, including biking, hiking and boogie boarding. Check out San Buenaventura State Beach's scenic sand dunes, or head to Emma Wood State Beach for fishing and dolphin-spotting. As an added bonus, Ventura boasts several dog-friendly beaches – Surfer's Point and Harbor Cove are four-legged favorites.

Dana Point is rarely on California tourists' radars, making it the perfect place to explore if you want to avoid crowds. Situated about halfway between San Clemente and Laguna Beach in Orange County, this town is truly breathtaking, offering lots of lovely beaches to write home about. Dana Point is an excellent option for families, as many of its popular stretches of sand (think: Doheny State Beach, Salt Creek Beach Park and Monarch Bay Beach) feature long, wide shorelines. There's also the famous Dana Strand Beach, which is known for its proximity to a bevy of waterfront mansions.

Situated in Santa Cruz, Natural Bridges State Beach is favored for its intimate, serene setting and picture-perfect geological formations. The state beach is most recognized for its arch rock, which becomes even more picturesque come sunset. Be sure to explore the nearby tide pools during low tide and the beach's Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve, where eucalyptus trees and milkweed plants provide a haven for migrating monarch butterflies from mid-October to mid-February.

If you're looking for the quintessential California beach experience, head to Huntington Beach. Dubbed Surf City USA, Huntington Beach offers all of the charms you'd expect to find at a California beach. Palm trees flank the long, wide shore of Huntington State Beach, which features an impressive bike trail and a wooden pier that juts far out into the ocean. Meanwhile, Huntington Dog Beach is the beach to visit if you're traveling with a pup (or want to watch the dogs frolic). You'll discover all kinds of amenities in the city center, including restaurants, shops and beachfront hotels.