Birds in search of a tasty morsel can be seen along the shoreline of this brown sandy beach just south of San Francisco. Positioned below tall bluffs, this park is popular with hikers, boasting equestrian trails on the bluff terraces high above the waterline. There's only a few parking spots nearby and the locals like it that way so it doesn't get overcrowded. You won't find the hordes of tourists here that you would at Fisherman's Wharf in the city.
The cliffs have been eaten away by erosion, causing access… read more »
Hermosa's two-mile swathe of golden sand is one of the most popular stretches in Los Angeles County.
With 94 acres of beach to stretch out on and top-notch conditions for surfing, it attracts visitors of all ages.
At the heart of the beach is the historic pier, which has had pride of place for more than 50 years. If you fancy doing a bit of fishing then this is the perfect place to do it from.
You'll also find a whole heap of bars and restaurants by the pier, along with a decent… read more »
Pacific Beach is the name of both the beach and this neighborhood of San Diego. Known locally as P.B. this stretch of sand runs between La Jolla and Mission Beach.
At the heart of Pacific Beach is the Crystal Pier which dates back to the 1920s. The main beach is the area to the south of the pier, whilst the other side is known as North Pacific Beach.
Running the entire 3.2 mile stretch of Pacific Beach is Ocean Front Walk, a concrete boardwalk lined with trendy bars, shops and restaurants. As… read more »
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 a dramatic bluff which is covered in wildflowers in the spring and where visitors will find the closest parking spots.… read more »
McClures Beach lies at the very end of Pierce Point Road, from where walkers head out on the Tomales Point Trailhead. Facing west into the broad expanse of the Pacific blue, rip currents make swimming dangerous, although there is plenty to do on the broad sweep of golden sands instead. Situated between two short headlands, the beach can't be seen from the car park, but is just a few hundred metres downhill through coastal scrub.
You'll often find people beachcombing along its length, while at low tide a series of rock… read more »
You'll find this golden stretch of sand along California's southern coastline, just a 30-minute drive away from Los Angeles.
All the essentials are in place here, including lifeguard posts, showers, restrooms, and lots of parking spots nearby. And there's a promenade backing on to the beach that is particularly popular with cyclists and skaters.
As for the beach itself, there's usually plenty of elbow room as this isn't the busiest of beaches along this stretch, so if you're not a fan of crowded sands then it's likely to be a good… read more »
Kings Beach sits on the stumpy promontory that drops down from the northern shores of Lake Tahoe. On the California side of the state line, it lies on Agate Bay and extends for around a quarter-mile. The neat gridiron of streets stretching inland means beachgoers are never far from parking, places to eat and drink, or somewhere to try their hand at minigolf.
Covered by snowfall in the winter months, Kings Beach is very much a summer destination for anyone who wants to feel the ultraviolet on their skin. The waters… read more »
Set on the shores of an almost closed-in Lake Tahoe bay, Vikingsholm Beach is located within Emerald Bay State Park on the southwest of the lake. Overlooked by a 1920s mansion now open to the public between May and September each year, the beach is reached via a steep trail not recommended for those with limited mobility.
Those who do make it to Vikingsholm Beach will discover a small oasis complete with soft white sand and crystal-clear shallows. Almost fjord-like in appearance, the bay is enclosed by tall pines.
Positioned between Tahoma and Rubicon Bay on the western side of Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay Beach sits amid some of the finest lakeshore views around. Lying on its golden sands, beachgoers have views of the mountains while being ringed by the deep green and straight trunks of the pines of an area of national forest.
Easy to access and incorporating restrooms and picnic tables among its facilities, Meeks Bay Beach is well known locally for its scenic setting, with residents of nearby communities making regular trips during the summer months –… read more »
Nevada's Hidden Beach isn't actually all that hard to find, being accessible from Highway 28 just over half a mile south of the village of Incline. It's here you'll find the nearest parking. A walking and biking trail then leads to the beach, with many visitors unloading close by before parking, rather than carrying their gear all the way.
Around 200 yards in length, the beach curves tightly around a small almost circular cove with shallows reminiscent of the Caribbean. Its sands are dotted with large round boulders, helping to separate… read more »
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 from its wooden steps along the way, but it leads to a great stretch of black sand devoid of the… read more »
Asilomar State Beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sand located on California's Monterey Peninsula. It is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and tidepooling. The beach is also home to the Asilomar Conference Grounds, a historic resort and conference center.
The one-mile long beach that is made up of both sandy areas and rocky coves and forms part of the Asilomar State Marine Reserve. This means that there are special rules in place to protect the marine life in the area, for example, fishing is prohibited in the marine reserve.
