The Best California Beaches
Page 5 out of 11
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61. Ocean Beach, San Diego // Southern California
Brooke Anderson Great for:- Fishing
- Swimming
- Surfing
Ocean Beach extends south from San Diego River to Sunset Cliffs and is popular for surfing and sunbathing. Known locally as OB, this beautiful sandy city beach has the archetypal laidback SoCal beach vibe.
There are various different section including an area for surfing only, swimming only and there's a dog-friendly section although pets must be kept on a leash.
At the south end of the beach, the ½ mile… read more »
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62. Windansea Beach // Southern California
Chad McDonald Great for:- Surfing
Located in the charming coastal town of La Jolla, Windansea Beach is found at the west end of Westbourne and Nautilus streets. It takes its name from the phrase "wind and sea" and there was once a hotel of the same name which burned down in the 1940s.
In the same era, the legendary Windansea Surf Club was formed which was as much about partying as it was surfing. Many… read more »
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63. Mitchell Cove Beach // Central California
David Merrett Great for:- Surfing
The Santa Cruz beach of Mitchell's Cove is marked by a pinnacle of sandstone that stands right at the centre of its sands. South facing, much of the depth of the beach is lost during high tide, although there is the possibility of catching sight of migrating grey whales.
Free parking is available at the top of the steps that lead down the cliff to the beach, between the turnings… read more »
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64. San Clemente State Beach // Southern California
Bennilover Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
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… read more »
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65. Salt Creek Beach // Southern California
bfick Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
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… read more »
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66. Mission Beach // Southern California
The Erica Chang Great for:- Family
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Surfing
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… read more »
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67. Marshall's Beach // Northern California
© Frank Schulenburg 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.… read more »
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68. Quarry Beach // Northern California
Marcin Wichary 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… read more »
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69. Malibu Lagoon State Beach // Southern California
Sergei Gussev Great for:- Fishing
- Swimming
- Surfing
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… read more »
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70. Ocean Beach // Northern California
K Danko Great for:- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
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… read more »
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71. Andrew Molera State Park // Central California
Brian Cantoni Great for:- Surfing
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… read more »
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72. Big River Beach // Northern California
~jar{} Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
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… read more »
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73. D Street Beach // Southern California
Tim Buss Great for:- Surfing
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… read more »
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74. Rockaway Beach // Northern California
Larnax Great for:- Surfing
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… read more »
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75. Sharp Park Beach // Northern California
Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
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.… read more »
