Top Beaches on the West Coast of the USA

• 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 »

• 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 »

• Rockaway Beach // California

  

  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 to come relax and enjoy the ocean views.

  It is right next to restaurants, shops and hotels so travellers can choose to spend the day or even a few days here.… read more »

• Sharp Park Beach // California

  

  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 benches. 

  North of the park is the Pacifica Municipal Fishing Pier. The summer months are an especially good time to cast a line from the pier, as it's reported to be… read more »

• Drakes Beach // California

  

  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 in for a quick surf, be warned the water is pretty chilly, rarely getting much over 50F( 10C) even in the summer. Another hazard are the jellyfish that wash up… read more »

• Rodeo Beach // California

  

  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 some basic facilities. You can also bring the dog. The beach is also a well known local surf spot. 

  There's plenty for wildlife lovers at Rodeo Beach. As well as being… read more »

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