Whether you prefer the endless expanses of fine, golden sand of Zuma Beach in Malibu, or the purple sands of Pfeiffer Beach in Northern California, you will find your ideal beach in California.
There are beaches where people watching is more fun than swimming, like in Santa Monica or Newport Beach in Southern California.
There are beaches where families bring kids to frolic in the sand and warm surf and others where rip currents and underwater reefs make powerful waves only surfers can love. Here are the best California beaches.
1. Huntington State Beach, California
2. Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz
3. Glass Beach, Fort Bragg
4. Santa Monica Beach
5. Carlsbad State Beach, California
6. Coronado Municipal Beach, California
7. Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna
8. Dog Beach, San Diego
9. Moonstone Beach, Cambria
10. El Matador Beach, Malibu
11. 1000 Steps Beach, Laguna
12. Hermosa Beach, California
13. Manhattan State Beach, California
14. Mission Beach, San Diego
15. Baker Beach, San Francisco
16. Newport Beach, California
17. Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur
18. Arroyo Burro County Beach Park, Santa Barbara
19. Beaches in California: Pismo Beach
20. Best Beaches in California: San Clemente State Beach
21. Best Beaches in California: La Jolla Cove
22. Stinson Beach, California
23. Torrey Pines State Reserve
24. Windansea Beach, La Jolla
25. Best Beaches Near Me: Zuma Beach, Malibu
What are the 25 Best Beaches in California?
The 25 Best Beaches in California according to local experts are:
- Huntington State Beach, California
- Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz
- Glass Beach, Fort Bragg
- Santa Monica Beach
- Carlsbad State Beach, California
- Coronado Municipal Beach, California
- Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna
- Dog Beach, San Diego
- Moonstone Beach, Cambria
- El Matador Beach, Malibu
- 1000 Steps Beach, Laguna
- Hermosa Beach, California
- Manhattan State Beach, California
- Mission Beach, San Diego
- Baker Beach, San Francisco
- Newport Beach, California
- Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur
- Arroyo Burro County Beach Park, Santa Barbara
- Beaches in California: Pismo Beach
- Best Beaches in California: San Clemente State Beach
- Best Beaches in California: La Jolla Cove
- Stinson Beach, California
- Torrey Pines State Reserve
- Windansea Beach, La Jolla
- Best Beaches Near Me: Zuma Beach, Malibu