Top Beaches on the West Coast of the USA

• Garrapata State Park Beach // California

  

  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 essence of Big Sur's raw beauty.

  The beach itself is accessible via steep trails that lead down from the highway, rewarding visitors with a secluded and picturesque shoreline. Due to… 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 »

• Fan Shell Beach // California

  

  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 for birdwatching. The surrounding rocks and tide pools are home to a host of marine life, including sea anemones, crabs, and starfish, adding to the area's natural appeal. Fan Shell… read more »

• Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge // California

  

  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 and outdoor recreation.

  Visitors can hike through rolling sand hills, some reaching heights of over 500 feet, while taking in spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The remote beaches are… read more »

• Jalama Beach County Park // California

  

  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 California.

  Jalama beach is a favourite among surfers, thanks to its powerful waves and consistent swells rolling in from the Pacific. Fishing is also popular, with anglers casting from the… read more »

• Manresa State Beach // California

  

  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 for a less crowded alternative to Santa Cruz's busier surf spots. The waves here can be powerful, making it a great place for experienced surfers, though swimmers should be cautious… 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 »

• Thornton State Beach // California

  

  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 Beach // California

  

  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 // California

  

  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 »

• Redondo Beach // California

  

  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 // California

  

  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 »

• Long Beach // California

  

  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 »

You might also like...

• 

  New England's Best Beaches

• 

  The Best Beaches on the Florida Panhandle

• 

  Surfing // How to Measure the Size of a Wave

• 

  The Best Tropical Beaches in the US

• 

  Florida Best Beaches for Families

• 

  USA Best Nudist Beaches

• 

  Hawaii Best Nudist Beaches

• 

  The Best US Gulf Coast Beaches