North America's Top 50+ Beaches

• Andrew Molera State Park // USA

  

  This is the largest state park along the Big Sur coast and since it boasts over 20 miles of hiking trails, it's the perfect destination for avid trekkers.

  Here, you'll find open meadows, high ridges, groves of sycamore and redwood trees, a river, many trails, and one of the best beaches to explore in the area. 

  The beach itself isn't the most… read more »

• Big River Beach // USA

  

  Big River beach sits just to the south of the town of Mendocino, within the Mendocino Headlands State Park. The beach here is a wide expanse of pale-golden sand running along the northern bank of Big River as it flows into the Pacific.

  Access to the beach is pretty easy from Highway One, with a bridge crossing the river right above… read more »

• Cayucos State Beach // USA

  

  Set just off the scenic Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County, Cayucos State Beach is a classic California coastal destination. This wide, sandy beach stretches alongside the charming town of Cayucos, offering a laid-back vibe, great surf, and stunning ocean views. With its historic pier, tide pools, and rolling waves, the beach is perfect for a whole host of… read more »

• D Street Beach // USA

  

  Located below the cliffs at the end of D Street in Encinitas, just south of Moonlight Beach is D street Beach. A popular spot when the sun is out although it rarely gets as busy as its northern neighbor.

  The beach at D Street is accessed by a set of wooden stairs which wind down the bluff. Many people are… read more »

• El Matador State Beach // USA

  

  This public beach in Western Malibu is one of the smallest but most charming of the region's long list of shoreline attractions. El Matador State Beach sits at the base of dramatic cliffs and formed of golden sand washed by aquamarine waters.

  It is accessed along a steep path and wooden staircase, via a small parking lot suitable for around 20… read more »

• Fort Ord Dunes State Park Beach // USA

  

  This quiet and expansive stretch of beach is situated near Monterey on California's Central Coast. Once part of the former Fort Ord military base, the four-mile-long beach is now a protected state park.

  The dunes which back the beach provide a natural barrier from the wind and add to the beach's rugged beauty.  The park is also home to a… read more »

• Garrapata State Park Beach // USA

  

  Garrapata State Park Beach is a rugged and breathtaking stretch of coastline along California's famed Highway 1, just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This wild and unspoiled beach is part of a state park, which includes over 4,000 acres of dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and scenic hiking trails. With its golden sand, crashing Pacific waves, and stunning views, Garrapata captures the… read more »

• Rockaway Beach // USA

  

  Visited by over 1 million people every year, this popular, almost chocolate-brown colored sandy beach is located in Pacifica, which is a 20 minute drive south of San Francisco. The beach is easily accessible and parking is nearby so you won't have to worry about any long hikes through the mountains to get here. This is a great place… read more »

• Sharp Park Beach // USA

  

  Not far from the hectic city life of downtown San Francisco lies one of California's few black sand beaches. Further inland, the grains of sand are finer and as you go towards the water's edge the grains become more pebble-like. A little way back from the beach, there is a narrow strip of land with grass, picnic tables and… read more »

• Drakes Beach // USA

  

  Located on the more sheltered easterly side of Point Reyes Headlands is Drakes Beach. During the summer months this is a popular spot and the broad expanse of sand can quickly fill up.

  Despite being tucked away, around the corner from the full force of the Pacific Ocean there can still be plenty of waves at Drakes Beach. Before you dive… read more »

• Fan Shell Beach // USA

  

  Fan Shell Beach is a picturesque little stretch of coastline along the famous 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. With its rugged beauty, soft white sand, and stunning ocean views, this beach is a favourite stop for visitors exploring the Monterey Peninsula.

  During spring and early summer, the beach is a key nesting site for Brandt’s cormorants, making it an excellent location… read more »

• Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge // USA

  

  The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes is one of the largest coastal dune ecosystems in California, stretching along the coast between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. This vast and dynamic landscape features towering sand dunes, pristine beaches, and a rich diversity of plant and animal life. It is part of the larger dunes complex and a key site for both conservation… read more »

• Jalama Beach County Park // USA

  

  Jalama Beach is set on a remote stretch of the Santa Barbara County coastline. It is a rugged and windswept expanse of sand known for its natural beauty, good surf, and relative remoteness. Tucked away at the end of a long, winding road off Highway 1, this hidden gem offers visitors a true escape from the busier beaches of Southern… read more »

• Manresa State Beach // USA

  

  Manresa State Beach is a beautiful, wide stretch of golden sand located on the Monterey Bay coastline just outside Santa Cruz. Despite this the beach has something of a remote feel and the lack of commercial development making it a perfect escape for those looking to experience California's natural coastal beauty.

  The beach is popular with surfers, especially those looking… read more »

• Rodeo Beach // USA

  

  Set near the tip of the Marin Headlands is Rodeo Beach, a narrow strip of pebbly sand dividing the Pacific Ocean from the brackish waters of Rodeo Lagoon. On closer inspection you may notice the sand contains weather-worn particles of red jasper, greenstone and orange chalcedony from the adjacent cliffs.

  Rodeo Beach is quite a popular family beach and there are… read more »

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