Coastal California
California Beaches
Page 2 of 4 — more shoreline guides with maps and National Weather Service conditions. Always check local advisories before you swim.
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Del Monte Beach Central Coast A Monterey Bay shoreline strand near Del Monte—walkable sand, cold bay water, and an easy add-on to Cannery Row or downtown Monterey plans. -
Encinitas San Diego County Laid-back North County coast—Swami’s surf, bluff trails, San Diego Botanic Garden, and walkable 101 downtown between Carlsbad and Solana Beach. -
Escondido Beach Los Angeles County A Malibu coastal pocket along Pacific Coast Highway—PCH access, limited parking, and classic cold Southern California surf conditions. -
Gazos Creek Beach San Francisco Bay Area A San Mateo County coast stop near Gazos Creek—windswept sand south of Half Moon Bay with cold Pacific conditions. -
Half Moon Bay San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco’s closest true coast town—harbor seafood, bluff trails, pumpkin fields, and big-wave watching at Mavericks. -
Hermosa Beach Los Angeles County Compact South Bay beach city—volleyball nets, a lively pier plaza, The Strand bike path, and walkable Pier Avenue nightlife steps from the Pacific. -
Huntington Beach Orange County Surf City USA—wide sandy beaches, a landmark pier, and a downtown that lives and breathes board culture from dawn patrol to beach bonfire nights. -
Irish Beach North Coast A remote Mendocino County coastal stretch near the Irish Beach community—dramatic bluffs, cold Pacific water, and quieter North Coast energy. -
Kellogg Beach North Coast A Crescent City–area North Coast beach—cold Pacific water, rugged scenery, and quieter Del Norte energy than Southern California strands. -
La Conchita Beach Central Coast A Ventura County shoreline at La Conchita—101 access, limited parking, and a residential coastal setting that demands visitor courtesy. -
La Jolla San Diego County San Diego’s cliff-lined ocean neighborhood—sea caves, the Birch Aquarium, and upscale village shopping above Pacific views. -
Laguna Beach Orange County Cove-studded Orange County bluffs where gallery walks meet tide pools—summer art festivals, steep stairs to sand, and sunset dinners above the Pacific. -
Latigo Beach Los Angeles County A Malibu PCH beach pocket near Latigo—limited parking, coastal views, and typical cold Southern California surf conditions. -
Long Beach Los Angeles County LA County’s waterfront city—Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary history, Belmont Shore dining, and a cruise-port energy half an hour from downtown Los Angeles. -
Malaga Cove Los Angeles County A Palos Verdes cove below bluff trails—rocky shoreline, tidepools, and steep access more than a wide county swim beach. -
Malibu Los Angeles County A Pacific Coast Highway strip of beaches, canyons, and surf breaks northwest of Santa Monica—iconic Southern California shoreline without a big-city core. -
Manhattan Beach Los Angeles County South Bay surf-and-volleyball classic near LAX—wide sand, iconic pier, Roundhouse aquarium, and a polished Strand village without Santa Monica crowds. -
Marina del Rey Los Angeles County L.A.’s largest small-craft harbor—sailboat slips, waterfront dining, bike paths to Venice, and marina hotels minutes from LAX. -
Mavericks San Francisco Bay Area World-famous Pillar Point big-wave break near Half Moon Bay—primarily a cold, hazardous outer-coast viewing destination, not a casual swim beach. -
McAbee Beach Central Coast A small Monterey cove near Cannery Row—convenient for a short sand stop between aquarium and waterfront walks. -
Mondo's Beach Central Coast A Ventura County coast break known as Mondo's—surf energy, limited parking, and classic cold Southern California conditions. -
Monterey Central Coast Monterey is a California beach and shoreline destination—check tides, parking, and local advisories before you swim. -
Moran Lake Beach Central Coast A Santa Cruz County coastal park beach—local shoreline access with cold Monterey Bay water and typical parking limits. -
More Mesa Beach Central Coast A Santa Barbara County bluff-to-beach walk at More Mesa—trail access, open coast views, and limited parking near Goleta / Santa Barbara.