Top Beaches on the West Coast of the USA

• San Clemente State Beach // California

  

  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 busy during the summer months. There are excellent, if varied opportunities for surfing, and the chance for land-based whale watching… read more »

• Salt Creek Beach // California

  

  Orange County's Salt Creek Beach is named after the stream which runs across the northern part of the beach during wetter times of year. Backed by scrub, the beach consists of a wide ribbon of sand paired with the lawns of Bluff Park, which is almost three hectares in size. It has a good number of picnic tables for anyone looking to enjoy an al fresco meal.

  Those looking to be a little more action will appreciate the beach volleyball, and the basketball half-court. In the waves, a reef just offshore… read more »

• Mission Beach // California

  

  The name of both a beach and a town, Mission Beach in San Diego sits on a thin slither of land just two blocks wide at the entrance to the islands and attractions of Mission Bay. Here you'll find SeaWorld San Diego, the largest aquatic park of its type anywhere.

  Facing the Pacific Ocean, Mission Beach stretches for approximately two miles, paralleled the whole way by a paved esplanade / boardwalk dotted with cool stores and places providing beach gear rentals. At its quietest and widest section, towards… read more »

• Marshall's Beach // California

  

  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. Though some 300 metres long, it is relatively narrow, meaning it largely disappears with the high tide.

  Marshall's Beach only has… read more »

• Quarry Beach // California

  

  Quarry Beach is one of two main beaches on Angel Island, which sits in San Francisco Bay, not far from Alcatraz Island. Found on the island's east coast its fine sands lie approximately two miles from the island's ferry terminal, beyond the historic Immigration Station and visitor centre which you'll likely be visiting in any case if heading to Angel Island.

  From California's mainland, the island can be reached by public ferry from either Tiburon in Marin County, or from San Francisco. The long but narrow expanse of Quarry Beach offers… read more »

• Malibu Lagoon State Beach // California

  

  Running for several hundred metres in total, Malibu Lagoon State Beach is looked after by California State Parks. It lies at the heart of Malibu, at the mouth of a lagoon as it connects with the Pacific Ocean. Its sands are ringed by the attractive Santa Monica Mountains.

  The stretch of sand that runs from the lagoon to the historic pier is also known as Surfrider Beach, and so it's no surprise that it is popular with surfers. The right-hand break is considered one of the best surfing spots in southern… read more »

• Lone Ranch Beach // Oregon

  

  Lone Ranch Beach lies roughly ten kilometres north of Brookings in southern Oregon, and is part of the Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor. A fantastic area of coastline for nature lovers and those seeking a little tranquillity, the sea stacks here are a favourite with photographers too.

  When it comes to food, its best to bring a picnic, and then take advantage of the picnic benches and fire ring. To the north of the beach, close to the parking area, is Cape Ferrelo, while at the Lone Ranch Beach's opposite… read more »

• Ocean Beach // California

  

  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 when the fog tends to roll in early morning and late afternoon, which is also when the wind picks up.… read more »

• Andrew Molera State Park // California

  

  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 accessible, and takes a little effort to get to, but the scenery when you get there is top-notch - a long, sandy, rocky and driftwood-covered swathe that stretches along the… read more »

• Big River Beach // California

  

  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 the central part of the beach.

  Big River beach is a great starting point for a number of activities based around the river and park. A number of trails follow the… read more »

• Cayucos State Beach // California

  

  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 activities.

  The beach is popular for surfing, with consistent waves that attract beginners and experienced surfers alike. Fishing from the Cayucos Pier is another favourite pastime, with opportunities to catch halibut,… read more »

• D Street Beach // California

  

  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 content with just taking in the view from the platform at the top. It is probably this combo of a climb down the stairs and not quite optimal parking which… read more »

• Shark Fin Cove // California

  

  Located just a few miles up Highway 1 from Santa Cruz, Shark Fin Cove is a different world. It isn't hard to see where the beach gets its name from; viewed from the right angle the hulking rock that guards the bay's entrance cuts the same profile of a huge shark's fin. The sandy beach is also known as Shark Tooth Cove, for the same reason.

  But there's more to Shark Fin Cove than just a rock formation - in fact there are a few of them, including an old mine… read more »

• El Matador State Beach // California

  

  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 vehicles which sits on a bluff above the high tide line. Additional parking is permitted on the Pacific Coast Highway. There are also restrooms at the trailhead.

  El Matador State Beach… read more »

• Fort Ord Dunes State Park Beach // California

  

  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 variety of wildlife, including migratory shorebirds and coastal foxes with dolphins or sea otters often spotted offshore. 

  A scenic trail runs along the dunes, offering panoramic views of Monterey Bay… read more »

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