This article features his list of what we think are the best beaches in California. Of all the beaches California has to offer, we think these are the best! If you can find better beaches in California, we’ll eat out (metaphorically speaking)!
o Malibu Lagoon Beach: A beautiful lagoon beach with 22 acres of wetlands, gardens and sandy beach. It is considered one of the most important surfing beaches in the world. On the east side of the Malibu Creek Bridge is the Malibu Pier, which is excellent for saltwater fishing. On the west side there is a natural area.
o Venice Beach: No trip to Los Angeles would be complete without a trip to this iconic beach. Street performers, entertainers and “the beautiful people” mingle and stroll to Santa Monica along the famous boardwalk that runs through this inimitable California seaside city.
o El Capitan Beach: This sandy, shady Santa Barbara beach features rocky tide pools along El Capitan Creek. It is perfect for swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking and camping. A long staircase gives access from the cliffs to the beach and a bike path connects the park with Refugio State Beach.
o Ocean Beach: OB, as the locals call it, is a laid-back beach community known for its surfers and liberal politics. It’s an eclectic beach community with an off-leash “dog beach,” a fishing pier, swimming, surfing, and volleyball. It has separate areas for swimming and surfing, which is definitely a good idea.
o Rio Del Mar Beach: This long sandy beach is located in the town of Aptos, California, in Santa Cruz County. It has fire rings and a barbecue and picnic area and is a popular summer beach. It is also the home of the “cement ship”, a long stranded freighter.
o Muir Beach – This beach is less than a half-hour drive from San Francisco along scenic Hwy I. It is one of Northern California’s most glorious regions in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Fishing, surfing, and campfires are allowed, and there are many coastal trails above the beach for hikers to explore.
o Black Sands Beach at Shelter Cove: This splendid black sand beach is a great place for whale watching. Located north of the small hamlet of Shelter Cove in a remote region of the ‘Lost Coast’, it is the start of the famous King Range walk. This is a one day beach so campers will have to head up into the mountains.
o La Jolla Beaches: La Jolla means “jewel,” an apt name for the gorgeous beaches along the La Jolla coastline. Surfers prefer Windansea Beach, harbor seals love the children’s pool, La Jolla Shores is popular for swimming and sunbathing, while Cove is a favorite snorkeling spot.
o Drake’s Beach: This vast expanse of white sand is located on the Point Reyes National Seashore. The area’s high winds and rough seas make it a bit too rough for most swimmers, but sun worshipers will relish the opportunity to work on their tans in a beautiful California outdoor setting.
