The Best California Beaches
Page 2 out of 11
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16. Shark Fin Cove // Northern 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… read more »
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17. El Matador State Beach // Southern California
Graham Great for:- Swimming
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… read more »
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18. Vikingsholm Beach // Lake Tahoe
Jonathan Fox Great for:- Snorkeling
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… read more »
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19. McWay Falls Cove // Central California
© Pexels Set in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park this beautiful little horseshoe shaped cove is surrounded by high, tree-lined cliffs. Perhaps the beach's most notable feature though is McWay Falls, a waterfall that vertically plunges 80 feet directly into the aqua-blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The cove here is one of the undisputed highlights of Big Sur and only a short trip from California's legendary coastal highway, Route 1.
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20. Huntington Beach // Southern California
© James Kim Great for:- Surfing
Nicknamed "Surf City USA", Huntington Beach is a popular resort destination for locals and international tourists. This 121-acre state beach has a long pier and a beautiful sandy beach with dunes sheltering many bird species.
Facilities include parking lots (open until 10pm), bathrooms, showers, lifeguard HQ and fire rings for bonfires. It is ideal for sunbathing, walking, fishing and watching pro surfers.
There are sandbars at the south end of Huntington Beach… read more »
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21. Coronado Beach // Southern California
ashleytheartist2002 Great for:- Family
- Swimming
- Surfing
Consistently voted one of America's finest beaches, Coronado Beach is a long sandy stretch on the outskirts of San Diego. The main Central Beach runs along Ocean Boulevard from the Hotel del Coronado to Sunset Park. An area near Sunset Park is set aside for dog owners to bring their dogs to play on what is known locally as Dog Run Beach. There is parking near the Coronado Hotel.
The beach… read more »
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22. Kiva Beach // Lake Tahoe
Jonathan Cook-Fisher Great for:- Swimming
Kiva Beach is a stone's throw from Tallac Historic Site on the southern shores of Lake Tahoe. Also known to some as Tallac Point, the beach comprises a flat extent of golden sand with a total length of around 200 metres. It then gives way to fragile marshland which visitors are asked to avoid trampling over.
Almost entirely free of facilities, there is a car park with rubbish bins and portable… read more »
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23. Baldwin Beach // Lake Tahoe
Jonathan Cook-Fisher Great for:- Swimming
Baldwin Beach lies on the southern shores of Lake Tahoe amid one of the lake's most popular areas with visitors because of its range of attractions. Its broad golden sands stretch for around half a mile and offer up vistas of the Sierra Nevada mountains alongside the opportunity to hire kayaks to explore the region from the water.
Located on national forest land, only gas grills are permitted for barbeques to… read more »
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24. San Gregorio State Beach // Northern California
Nathan Siemers Great for:- Surfing
Close to Silicon Valley in the South Bay Area, San Gregorio State Beach is a popular beach with a large car park and good amenities. Located on a wild stretch of the California coast this is a great place for picnics, birdwatching, beach activities, walking, hunting for fossils and exploring the trails.
Accessed from La Honda Road and Cabrillo Hwy, you will find restrooms, picnic tables and barbecues. There is a… read more »
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25. Black's Beach // Southern California
Raquel Baranow Great for:- Surfing
Situated on the beautiful California coastline north of San Diego, Black's Beach is north of La Jolla at Torrey Pines, just below the famous golf course of the same name. The name Black's Beach comes from the horse farm in the area that was once owned by the Black family.
A little off-the-beaten-track, the beach is accessed down a steep sandy trail from the Gliderport Parking Area. It can be tricky… read more »
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26. Scripps Beach // Southern California
Kenny Chung Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
Scripps Beach takes its name from the adjoining UCSD Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla. Although the iconic long concrete pier is not open to the public, you can use the sandy beach on either side of it.
This beach is much quieter than its better-known neighbour at La Jolla Shores as it is less accessible, but it is popular with locals. Surfers head for the… read more »
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27. Santa Cruz Main Beach // Central California
David Merrett Great for:- Fishing
- Swimming
- Surfing
Santa Cruz Main Beach is also known as Boardwalk Beach because it sits in front of the boardwalk amusement park. Dating from 1907, it contains the historic Big Dipper rollercoaster, a swimming pool, mini golf, and restaurants among its attractions.
On the opposite side of the municipal wharf from Cowell Beach, Main Beach faces south and stretches on to the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Despite its size, Main Beach… read more »
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28. Capitola Beach // Central California
Dale Cruse Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
Often voted one of the top ten beaches on the US West Coast, this beach of fine sand lies at the northern end of Monterey Bay. It sits in front of the almost-neon homes of the village of Capitola, where you can also find a good choice of restaurants and shops. Very popular on sunny summer days when lifeguards are on duty, Capitola Beach is a south facing beach… read more »
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29. Fort Funston // Northern California
© Adam Derewecki The southernmost Pacific facing beach in San Francisco, Fort Funston Beach is included as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Rather windy, especially on the top of the sandy bluffs that surround it, Fort Funston Beach has become a haven for hang gliders. They launch from a special ramp most frequently between March and October.
The main downside to Fort Funston Beach if you're not hang gliding is… read more »
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30. Point Reyes Beach // Northern California
John Uhrig The main beach at Point Reyes can be arbitrarily divided into North Beach and South Beach. However, a more appropriate name is the Great Beach which fairly accurately sums up this 12 mile long stretch of unbroken golden sand.
On one of the frequent wild and windy days, where you feel the full force of the Pacific waves pounding unabated into the shoreline, it is hard to imagine you are barely… read more »
