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California is glorified for its countless beaches with rugged cliffs and sunny weather. While these gorgeous beaches can be found along the entirety of California, SoCal just hits the sunny sweet spot. The beaches in Southern California are home to some of the most popular beaches in the state. They offer sandy secluded milieus for romantic getaways, warm weather year-round, and prime surf spots. On the other hand, Northern California beaches offer more dramatic settings and taller cliffs.
However, since I’m a Southern California (almost) native, I’m quite fond of the beaches down south. Any beach can be visited anytime of the year, as the weather in Socal tends to move from an unbearable scorching heat to regular heat.
For this blog post, I asked a couple travel bloggers what they thought the best beaches in California are. Whether its for camping, swimming, lounging, or walking — here’s what they said about California beaches.
Below you’ll find the list of the best beaches in Southern California, but the list of the best beaches in Northern California can be found here.
Also, if it’s your first time visiting to California, welcome! Here are a couple posts to help inspire your California adventure.
- A Guide To California During Fall
- Where To Stay In Yosemite National Park
- Unique Things To Do In Orange County
- How to Road Trip From LA to Zion
Feel free to jump ahead!
Hendrys Beach
Situated in the hipster and vegan-friendly town of Santa Barbara is the gorgeous Hendrys Beach. The beach itself is a local favorite and not very well known by tourists. It’s tucked among the dramatic cliffs of Santa Barbara, showcasing towering bluffs and wide open sandy beaches.
Hendrys Beach is an extremely dog-friendly. You’ll find some dogs off-leash chasing a ball, or accompanying their owners for a leisurely evening stroll. Other popular things to do at this beach include: swimming, lounging, walking, and dining at the tasty Boathouse restaurant. All over town, locals and tourist flock to this intimate beach for a prime spot to dine at this beach front restaurant.
Besides being one of the best beaches in Southern California for swimming, the surrounding areas offers some impressive views. Uniquely, right next to Hendrys Beach is the Douglass Family Preserve. For hikers and adventure enthusiasts, the preserve is an excellent place for some level hiking in Santa Barbara. At the end of the preserve you’ll find sweeping views of the vista, the Boathouse restaurant, and a giant fallen tree trunk. It’s a popular spot to watch the sun escape beneath the horizon and enjoy the beach from the soaring bluffs above.
One thing to keep in mind when visiting Hendrys is parking can be quite tight and there is no street parking along the road leading to the beach. The best travel tip for snagging a parking spot is to avoid going during the lunch and dinner rush, and park in the lot off to the side, not the main lot. There’s also parking in the neighborhoods across the street.
Victoria Beach
California is known for it’s rocky coastlines and beautiful secluded beaches, but Victoria Beach in Orange County is particularly special. This active beach nestled on the shores of Laguna Beach makes for the perfect day trip. There are water-sport rentals of all kinds available at neighboring marinas including: skim boards, jet skis, SUP (stand up paddle boards), surfing, snorkeling, beach volleyball and a swimming pool. Luxury resorts flank the rugged coastline including the 30-acre oceanfront Montag Laguna Beach resort. If you are on a budget, there are several campgrounds nearby in the Crystal Cove State Park, about a 15 minute drive away. Oceanfront sites start at $75 a night, while general campsites start at $25 a night.
It is best to go during low tide for easier access to Victoria Beach’s most famous attraction, The Pirate Tower. Originally constructed as a stairwell from the beach to the property above, it is now out of commission but still serves as an iconic photo spot along the beaches in Southern California.
Access to Victoria Beach can be tricky. It is open year around from 6:00 am to 10:00pm accessed by stairs off of Victoria Drive or a ramp on Dumond Drive. Free parking is available in the residential neighborhood but free or metered parking along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) may be your only option. You might have to walk 1,000 feet from the PCH to access the beach, but it will be well worth it, especially if you stay for sunset.
If you’re visiting Orange County, here are a couple more unique things to do, see and explore.
By Sam of Seeing Sam
Huntington State Beach
Looking for an escape from city life in Los Angeles during your vacation to Southern California? If so, Huntington Beach may be the perfect location for you!
Known as “Surf City USA,” Huntington Beach is known for its killer waves and hosting the largest surfing competition in the world, The Vans US Open Of Surfing. The best time to visit this lively beach is in the late spring, summer, and early fall, that’s if you want to experience surfing, boogie boarding, and other water sports, for which the area is best known! You can also bike along the beach’s 8.5-mile stretch if you want to enjoy the ocean views without getting wet.
While visiting the Huntington City Beach and Huntington Beach Pier are two of the best things to do in Huntington, you can’t miss the chance to visit the downtown area. Here, you’ll find plenty of surf shops, souvenir stores, and local restaurants right off the beach. If you’re looking for brand-name designers and upscale shopping, you can also visit Pacific City, which is just a short walk from their pier.
Plus, don’t miss the local places to eat! Fred’s Mexican Café and Cantina serves excellent tacos, burritos, margaritas, and other authentic Mexican dishes.
By Brittany Sawyer of Travel by Brit
Santa Monica Beach & Pier
Known for its vibrant pier, gorgeous sea views and fairground scenes, Santa Monica Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Southern California. The shoreline of this soft sandy beach extends to over 3 miles and the seaside pier is located at the center of the beach.
Take a leisurely walk through Santa Monica pier and you will see many street artists and performers. It’s also lined with gaming arcades, food stalls and cocktail bars. Ride the solar powered Ferris Wheel, the roller coaster and the vintage carousel to bring back some nostalgic fairground memories.
There are also many beachfront cafes from where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the sea. Seaside on the Pier is an amazing rooftop bar where you can savor seafood and grab drinks on the pier. If you’re craving a sporty beach visit, try biking on the well paved bike paths or play volleyball at one of the courts. You can also indulge in adventurous water activities such as kayaking, surfing and paddle boarding at the Santa Monica Beach.
Plan to spend a weekend at Santa Monica to explore its shoreline and other attractions such as Third Street Promenade, Heal The Bay Aquarium, Farmers Market and Looff Hippodrome. One of the best places to stay is at Shore Hotel, which is located near the pier and offers beautiful views of the beach.
Santa Monica is easily reachable from Los Angeles as it’s just 14 miles away from the city. You can also take the metro from Downtown LA to reach Santa Monica.
By Anjali Wadhwa of Cheerful Trails
East Beach
Are you obsessed with volleyball? (I am, because it changed my life, I won’t go into detail… you can read about it here). Then East Beach is hands-down one of the best beaches in Southern California for volleyball fanatics. Tied with Manhattan Beach as a volleyball Mecca, East Beach is also lined with several volleyball courts back to back. You won’t find many people lounging at this beach as it’s known for high competition and sweaty beach goers.
Hop in the ocean to cool down after playing all day, or if volleyball isn’t your jam, come watch locals play and train. Grab a snack and cheer on the different teams as they rally. There are several teams that play here recreational, and the league welcomes players at all levels. Sign up as a beginner, or come ready for some semi-pro level play.
This beach is one of the most popular beaches in Santa Barbara. I highly recommend to get there early on a weekend or weeknight as the courts get snagged quickly. After spending the day playing, head over to East Beach Tacos to enjoy some delicious artisanal tacos, ranging from ahi poke tacos to deep fried battered cod tacos.
Keep journeying along East Beach to find a beautiful boardwalk along the Palm Trees and oceans. If you continue straight, you’ll find the Santa Barbara pier, home to several shops, eateries, and a fun fishing spot. Past the pier is West Beach, the ideal sun bathing spot in town, and one of the best places to ride bikes in the city. This bike trail begins a little past East Beach, then continues through West Beach, several other beaches and up the hillside to Shoreline.
Coronado Beach
One of the best beaches in Southern California is Coronado Beach near San Diego. It’s the kind of Southern California beach that glistens in the sun and is perfect for viewing sunsets.
Coronado Beach is on Coronado Island, just to the southwest of downtown San Diego. It’s one of the top things to do during a weekend in San Diego, and is a great getaway for any beach lover.
The beach is home to a famous landmark – The Hotel Del Coronado. This historic hotel is the second largest wooden structure in the U.S. and has invited presidents, celebrities and even royalty. You can opt to stay at the hotel or visit it from the beach.
One great way to see the area is to rent kayaks to enjoy the Pacific Ocean and see the coastline of the island! Another fun way to explore the beach is to rent bikes, taking a scenic ride up and down the shore.
The island is well established, with no real great places for camping. You can find a vacation rental near the beach or stay in nearby San Diego. Although the Southern California weather makes almost any season a great time to see the beach, spring and fall have the least crowds and are very enjoyable.
If you’re looking for more fall activities to do in California, read this post — fall guide to California.
By Nikki of She Saves She Travels
Moonlight Beach
While there are dozens of famous beaches along San Diego’s 17 miles of sparkling coastline, one of the better known beaches by locals (rather than tourists) is Moonlight Beach. This beach is located in Encinitas, in San Diego’s scenic North County. If you take the Encinitas Boulevard exit from I-5 and follow it west, you’ll end right at this wide sandy beach.
Fun story: This beach comes by its moniker from the days when locals picnicked here at midnight in the early 1900s. All these years later, it remains *the* summer meet-up spot for generations of local teenagers.
At low tide, you can walk miles north along the coast to Stone Steps Beach and Beacons Beach — the two other North County local favorites.
What makes it so special? Mainly the locals’ scene for sun bathing, swimming, and surfing. However, you’ll also find beach volleyball games and a snack bar. A few years ago, the City of Encinitas built swank restroom facilities along with the snack bar, which made it super convenient for families to visit. Sunset lovers meet on the bluff above the beach in search of the infamous green flash as the sun fades beyond the horizon.
Best of all, there are so many things to do in Encinitas! Just walk two blocks to the Pacific Coast Highway and window shop the beachy boutiques or sip a coffee at Philz or Better Buzz. Fish tacos shops and ice cream shops abound. The vibe is casual. You’ll be welcome in board shorts or a bikini and a sarong wherever you go.
By Chris of Explore Now Or Never
El Matador Beach
El Matador Beach is a part of the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach system – a collection of small sandy beach coves in sunny Malibu, California. This is an absolute can’t-miss stop on any day trip to Malibu!
Standing above on the Pacific Coast Highway, the view down to the shore is breathtaking. The cliff stands roughly 100 feet above the beach, allowing visitors to take views of the pockets of sand and rocks below. Dirt paths or steep staircases lead down to the shore, between the familiar rock caves and caverns. For the adventurous, these are incredibly fun to explore! Small tide pools on the rocks often contain sea life like starfish and anemones. The rocks themselves are what make this beach so beautiful.
Visitors can enjoy swimming, but should be careful to choose one of the coves without large rocks present. Once submerged, it’s easy to kick or be pushed into the rocks from the waves. Camping is possible at nearby Leo Carrillo State Park.
The best times to visit this stunning beach in Southern California are during sunrise or sunset for the amazing colorful skies. However, it’s a popular place so it can get crowded. The beach is free to access. Parking in the specified lot does carry a cost, but it’s highly recommend to use free street parking instead. Just be careful about traffic zooming by!
By Monica from This Rare Earth
Newport Beach
If you’re looking for more things to do in Orange County, consider adding Newport Beach to your bucket list. Found in the same county as Disneyland, Angels Stadium, and the Honda Center, Newport Beach is a local favorite. SoCal locals come here to escape the heat during summer and tourists come to experience the chill yet chic vibes Orange County is famed for.
While there’s much to do nearby the beach (hey Disneyland!), Newport Beach itself has quite the impressive list of activities to do. For water-sport enthusiasts, ride the waves with surf boards, bogie boards, swimming, stand up paddle-boarding or rent a Duffy. After, take a break and walk along the ocean front, heading toward Balboa Pier. Nearby you’ll find tasty eateries, local shops, and a giant shopping area called Fashion Island. Continue toward the pier and you’ll spot a quaint little island — Balboa Island. In fact, I believe Newport is one of the only beaches in Southern California with an island.
Exploring Balboa Island is one of the best things to do in Newport! On the island you’ll find more shops, restaurants, fishing areas, kid-friendly swim areas and fun walking paths that wind along the seaside. If you’re short on time walk the “Little Island” which is about a mile, or walk the “Big Island” which is about two miles.
Additionally, accessing the island is easy and there are three main ways to get there. The first and easiest route is to drive. Another option is walking, running or biking across to the island. The last option is to take the Balboa Island Ferry. Personally, I love walking to the island. However, if you want to try various options, consider taking one route there and another route back.
Leo Carillo State Beach
If you’re looking for beaches in Southern California that aren’t overrun with tourists, look no further than Leo Carillo State Beach. This LA County beach is only 15 minutes north of Malibu. It’s far enough off-the-beaten-path that it mainly draws LA locals. There are no on-site rentals, parks, or volleyball nets, but it’s a great beach for sun bathing, surfing, fishing, exploring tide pools and scouting sea caves.
Leo Carillo is best known among locals as a popular camping spot. The campgrounds are located along the canyon road, not on the beach itself. But, you can easily access the beach on foot through a pedestrian tunnel under the highway. You can reserve one of the 130 camping spots on Reserve California. The campgrounds are open year round, but be sure to book well in advance because they frequently fill up.
The best time to visit is in September – the summer months can get a little chilly and overcast thanks to the notorious ‘June gloom‘. If you don’t want to camp, you can stay anywhere in the LA area and take a day trip to this beach. Pack easy travel lunches and head straight to beach. As long as you can avoid the Saturday morning beach traffic, driving up the Pacific Coast Highway from LA and past Malibu is absolutely delightful.
By J.J. Haglund of The Mini Van Bucket List
La Jolla Cove
Located in the village of La Jolla in the northern part of San Diego is La Jolla Cove. It’s a small beach rich in activities, scenery, marine life, and it’s definitely one of the top beaches in Southern California. The area is known for the many sea lions who lounge on the beach — remember to give them space!
Rent snorkel gear or hop on a kayak tour to explore the Ecological Reserve in the waters surrounding the cove and meet seals, barracuda, and orange garibaldi. Rentals are available at the nearby La Jolla Shores Beach, or La Jolla Swim and Sport has mask and snorkel rentals available starting at $15.
The beach’s amenities include a lifeguard, showers and restrooms, so you’ll be set for a full beach day, or for some shopping and dining in La Jolla. Nearby, Prospect Street offers some of the best boutiques in San Diego. Here you’ll find the Cove House which is a great dining option for breakfast or lunch.
La Jolla Cove is beautiful any time of year, but it can be busy during weekends and warm summer days. The beach is easy to reach if you’re staying in La Jolla, or if you’re vacationing in San Diego. Honestly, it’s worth a day trip from anywhere in Southern California. For under $10 you can catch a bus from Los Angeles to San Diego and arrive in under 2 hours. Don’t miss the chance to spend a gorgeous day exploring La Jolla Cove.
By Mary of Bucket List Places
Westward Beach
Westward Beach is the place to go for some long beach walks, great picnics on the sand, and unforgettable sunsets. The coves on either side of Zuma Lagoon make it a perfect spot to swim or snorkel when conditions are calm. It’s also one of the most popular beaches in Southern California for watching seals and dolphins.
Westward Beach is one of the most accessible beaches in Malibu. The beach has a large parking lot and restroom facilities, making it ideal for family outings. Just past the high rock wall at the south end of Westward Beach and you’ll find Pirates Cove Beach, a hidden spot worth exploring.
At the center of Westward Beach, you’ll find a fine dining restaurant called The Sunset. It’s open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
To reach Westward Beach, turn off the Pacific Coast Highway onto Westward Beach Road and look for parking along the road. If all the available parking spots have been taken, there is a huge parking lot at the end of Westward Road with an entrance fee. You’ll be able to get to Point Dume Natural Preserve easily from this lot.
Plan to head to Westward Beach early in the day; it’s jam-packed late in the afternoon. There are plenty of large waves for body surfing and lots of sand crabs to catch. This beach is a piece of Malibu heaven!
By Casandra Karpiak of Karpiak Caravan
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach in San Diego, California, is a famous center of attraction amongst the youth. It lies between the Mission Bay jetty and the cliffs of La Jolla. The beautiful boardwalk known as the Ocean Front Walk or Ocean Boulevard, runs for 3.2 miles. Locals call this beach by its abbreviated form, P.B.
In addition, the beach has an energetic and youthful vibe to it, as the main area is frequented visited by young adults in their 20s. Thus, the beach is a never-ending party during summers. It’s lined by local restaurants and bars, along with surfing and other water sport shops. During the daytime, the beach is filled with enthusiastic surfers and other ocean lovers. While at night, it becomes the area with the best nightlife in San Diego.
Tourists can find several surfing board rental shops around the beach. The mixture of low and high waves has made it a popular surfing destination for novices and experts. Also, the San Diego surfing school provides surfing lessons.
Additionally, you can rent a beach cruiser or bicycle and spend your free time riding it. Take a stroll on the boardwalk or the beach during sunset to soothe your inner soul. Around Pacific Beach and the nearby Mission Beach, you’ll find several camping grounds scattered about. Besides the camping grounds, there are also hotels nearby ranging from luxurious to standard bed and breakfast.
The beach is frequented by tourists all year long, but early fall is the best time to visit as the weather is pleasant during this time.
By Ruma Dey Baidya of The Holiday Story
Venice Beach
When looking for the best beaches in Southern California you can not exclude Venice beach in Los Angeles. No matter what you’re into, you’ll find something here that piques your interests. If the wacky art scene and street performers are not quite your thing on a trip to the beach, you could walk further down and find a more tranquil spot to sit and relax.
In comparison to other Socal beaches, Venice beach is polarizing. It’s for that reason, so many people are attracted to it. You can find garbage in some areas, but you can do your part as a responsible tourist by not forgetting to take away anything you carry to the beach with you. The good news is that the beach itself feels safe and there are always lifeguards on duty. Also, if you like surfing there is a dedicated spot south of the pier.
Be mindful of your surrounding on the boardwalk as it can be a little weary due to the drunkards and homeless people who live in this area. In terms of activities, you can play basketball, volleyball and the skate park is fun to watch (especially if you’re not into skating). All in all, Venice beach is a unique place to visit. If you’re a traveler who’s constantly seeking stimulation and loves being surrounded by hundreds of people from all walks of life, this beach is a must-visit in California.
By Dan of By Urban Abroad
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach California is an underrated yet spectacular beach on California’s Central Coast. It is known for its large pier, cute downtown area, and fun, year-round surfing.
Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Pismo Beach is the best of both worlds. It’s got warm, sunny beach days without the crowds. Additionally, the shops and restaurants downtown have a charming, vintage feel to them.
When visiting Pismo Beach, it’s best to stay right in Pismo or you can take a day trip from Santa Barbara. There is even a campground conveniently located within walking distance of the water, called Pismo State North Beach Campground.
One of the best things to do in Pismo is walk down the massive 1, 200 foot pier that juts out over the water. The pier is a great place to take in Pismo’s beauty. It offers a great view of the surrounding rolling hills, and the surfers below. Fishing is even allowed off of the pier, no license required!
For those wanting to try their hand at surfing, there are numerous surf shops that teach lessons and rent out boards and suits.
The best time to visit Pismo Beach is between the months of September to early November. At this time, there are fewer crowds. In fact, the ocean and weather are warmer than ever due to Pismo’s Mediterranean climate.
By Haley of Gathering Waves
More travel resources
- 14 Beautiful Cities to Visit in Southern California
- How to Explore Morro Bay
- The Best Hikes in Santa Barbara
- The Prettiest Beaches in Northern California
- What Is Slow Travel? Here’s Why I love It
The Best 15 Beaches In Northern California Worth A Visit
where is the beach that is in the cover photo?
It’s Newport Beach.