The Best Southern California Beaches
- Santa Barbara East Beach
- Palisades Beach
- Redondo Beach State Park
- More Mesa Beach
- Ocean Beach, San Diego
- Windansea Beach
- San Clemente State Beach
- Salt Creek Beach
- Mission Beach
- Malibu Lagoon State Beach
- D Street Beach
- Hermosa Beach
- Pacific Beach
- Long Beach
- Moonlight State Beach
- Southern California beach map
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16. Santa Barbara East Beach
East Beach is the archetypal Californian beach; the Pacific Ocean, golden sand, tall palm trees line the boulevard behind the beach, beach volleyball courts, lifeguard towers and the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains rising steeply behind the city. The beach here is home to many of Santa Barbara's most upmarket hotels, however, development has been sympathetic so you won't find any of the high-rise blocks that blot many of… read more »
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17. Palisades Beach
© Milan Ashley Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
This narrow strip of soft white sand is just along the coast from the ever-popular Santa Monica.
Unlike its next-door neighbor, there aren't a whole host of beachfront bars and restaurants, which helps to keep the crowds away, and means there's plenty of wriggle room for a spot of sunbathing.
Lifeguards are on duty every day and there are loads of places to park nearby if you're taking the car to the… read more »
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18. Redondo Beach State Park
ChildofMidnight Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
This 1.5 mile-long stretch of shoreline is jam-packed with activities and facilities, which keep visitors coming back time and time again.
At the far north of the beach you'll find the magnificent pier. It's a great place for a spot of fishing, and there are plenty of bars, shops and restaurants here too, with plenty of variety on the menus. Naturally as you'd expect, there are plenty of fresh seafood places… read more »
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19. More Mesa Beach
Brian More Mesa Beach near Santa Barbara is a secluded sandy beach between Arroyo Burro and Goleta Beach.
It is accessed from Mockingbird Lane in the Vista La Cumbre development, however there is no parking in that area so you need to park on Puente or Vieja Drive. Enter the park and walk about ¼ mile across the open cliff top towards the ocean and look for a steep path… read more »
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20. Ocean Beach, San Diego
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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21. Windansea Beach
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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22. San Clemente State Beach
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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23. Salt Creek Beach
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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24. Mission Beach
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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25. Malibu Lagoon State Beach
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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26. D Street Beach
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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27. Hermosa Beach
Great for:- Fishing
- Swimming
- Surfing
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… read more »
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28. Pacific Beach
Fastily Great for:- Fishing
- Swimming
- Surfing
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… read more »
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29. Long Beach
Greg Gjerdingen Great for:- Swimming
- Kitesurfing
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… read more »
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30. Moonlight State Beach
Invertzoo Great for:read more »- Swimming
- Surfing
