Best USA Beaches

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The Best U.S. Beaches...

  • 196. Red Rock Beach // Northern California

    Red Rock Beach
    Andrew Ballantyne

    Noted as one of the best nudist beaches in California, Red Rock Beach is just south of Stinson Beach in California. It has a steep trail leading down from the highway so wear sensible footwear to reach this remote wave-battered crescent of beach which is favoured by naturists. You can also reach it at low tide by walking along the sand and scrambling over the boulders at Rocky Point from… read more »

  • 197. Black Sands Beach // Northern California

    Black Sands Beach
    Ryan Devenish

    Backed by steep grassy cliffs and is studded with occasional large boulders, Black Sands Beach has a length of approximately 800 metres. A short drive west of the Golden Gate Bridge, it sits between Point Diablo Light and Point Bonita Lighthouse in Bonita Cove.

    Facing broadly south, it's well worth tackling the dirt path that leads to Black Sands Beach. Not only are there some great views back to San Francisco… read more »

  • 198. Gibson Beach // Central California

    Gibson Beach
    Eric Chan

    This is a top spot for nature lovers. Gibson's Beach is the southernmost beach in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and can be reached by car in around 10 minutes from Carmel. The scenic drive alone is well worth the time spent. 

    It's a wide sandy stretch about a quarter of a mile long and access to the beach can be challenging, but the reward of seclusion and some nice wave… read more »

  • 199. San Clemente State Beach // Southern California

    San Clemente State Beach
    Bennilover
    Great for:
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    Found at the southern end of the city of San Clemente in California, San Clemente State Beach is a favourite with water sports enthusiasts. Set below attractive cliffs, its light-coloured sands continue for some over a mile in length, although much of its breadth can be lost with the high tide.

    Family-friendly and accessible to those with reduced mobility it is no surprise that San Clemente State Beach can become particularly… read more »

  • 200. Windansea Beach // Southern California

    Windansea Beach
    Chad McDonald
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    Located in the charming coastal town of La Jolla, Windansea Beach is found at the west end of Westbourne and Nautilus streets. It takes its name from the phrase "wind and sea" and there was once a hotel of the same name which burned down in the 1940s.

    In the same era, the legendary Windansea Surf Club was formed which was as much about partying as it was surfing. Many… read more »

  • 201. Ocean Beach, San Diego // Southern California

    Ocean Beach, San Diego
    Brooke Anderson
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    Ocean Beach extends south from San Diego River to Sunset Cliffs and is popular for surfing and sunbathing. Known locally as OB, this beautiful sandy city beach has the archetypal laidback SoCal beach vibe.

    There are various different section including an area for surfing only, swimming only and there's a dog-friendly section although pets must be kept on a leash.

    At the south end of the beach, the ½ mile… read more »

  • 202. Ocean Beach // Northern California

    Ocean Beach
    K Danko
    Great for:
    • Surfing
    • Kitesurfing

    Stretching for over three miles between Cliff House and Fort Funston is Ocean Beach. The beach runs along much of San Francisco's westerly suburb, the aptly named Sunset. Despite this Ocean Beach still feels pretty wild, particularly towards the southern end where it is backed by dunes.

    Like the rest of San Francisco's beaches the weather can be somewhat hit and miss. It's generally a miss during the summer months… read more »

  • 203. Marshall's Beach // Northern California

    Marshall's Beach
    © Frank Schulenburg

    Located in San Francisco's Presidio park, which encloses an area of historic military installations at the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marshall's Beach is the closest beach to this icon of California and the United States.

    Offering exemplary views of the bridge, as well as of sunsets over Helmet Rock and the Pacific Ocean, its rich golden-brown sands are reached via boardwalk-style steps that lead down the low cliffs.… read more »

  • 204. Lands End Beach // Northern California

    Lands End Beach
    Willis Lam

    Close to San Francisco, Lands End Beach is a clothing-optional beach which is particularly quiet and private during weekdays.

    To reach it, drive west along Geary Blvd and take a right at the fork onto Point Lobos Ave. You can park by continuing along to a large car park or by turning right again onto El Camino del Mar and parking at the end. There's a trail leading down… read more »

  • 205. Morro Rock Beach // Central California

    Morro Rock Beach
    © David Mark
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    Nestled in a secluded spot along California's northern coastline, Morro Rock is one of the state's most naturally beautiful beaches.

    The Morro Rock itself stands at around 576 feet tall and was formed millions of years ago from volcanic rock. Until the mid-sixties it was regularly mined, partly for breakwaters, but by the end of the decade it had been recognised as a California State Landmark and a California Registered Historical… read more »

  • 206. Avila Beach // Central California

    Avila Beach
    Scooterboss
    Great for:
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    This secluded little spot sits on California's central coast, approximately halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    The beach itself is a stunning unspoilt stretch of white sand and crystal clear water that's around half a mile long, with a near 1700-feet pier at the heart of it that's been standing for more than a century.

    It's partially closed for restoration works so you won't be able to walk all… read more »

  • 207. Pirates Cove // Central California

    Pirates Cove
    Sergei Gussev

    Another California gem for naturists, Pirate's Cove is midway between Avila Beach and Shell Beach / Pismo Beach.

    This south-facing cove is sheltered which is probably why it is favoured as a nudist beach. Its secluded position and rocky caves would have made the beach a natural hideaway for smugglers when ships heading to Port San Luis Harbour dropped off smuggled liquor.

    Despite its name and notoriety, Pirate's Cove… read more »

  • 208. Redondo Beach // Northern California

    Redondo Beach
    btwashburn
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    Forming the third point in a triangle alongside San Francisco to the north and San Jose to the east, Redondo Beach is part of a continuous string of sand beaches on Half Moon Bay that each have their own name and ambience.

    One of the quieter stretches of bleached sand on the bay, Redondo Beach is still close to a variety of stores and food outlets. It's backed by cliffs forming… read more »

  • 209. Gray Whale Cove State Beach // Northern California

    Gray Whale Cove State Beach
    Christopher Michel

    When you hear that Gray Whale Cove State Beach is on an area of coastline known as "Devil's Slide" this should help convey that the descent to the beach is steep and tricky.

    Just 18 miles south of San Francisco, situated between Pacifica and Montara, this state beach is popular for whale watching during the spring migratory season, hence its name. Great white sharks have also been seen… read more »

  • 210. Montara State Beach // Northern California

    Montara State Beach
    Vadim Manuylov
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    Located a little over 30 kilometres south of San Francisco, west of Highway 1 and nestled between bounding low hills, this beach boasts a sandy shore and high bluffs. Montara Mountain, also known as McNee Ranch, looms above to the east. 

    Beachgoers here can enjoy basking in the sun and recharging their batteries. People also flock here to take a relaxing stroll on the soft sand along the seashore. Although… read more »