One of the reasons why many people choose to come here is because the beach is ideal for safe swimming. The city of Huntington Beach and its 10 miles of uninterrupted coastline are every surf and skate amateur’s dream, with five different beaches. . Head to one of the longest piers in the state which is included in the list of California Register of Historical Resources. This two-mile-long sandy beach is ideal for surfing and volleyball. Going to the beach means you should only worry about which waves are the best for surfing or the best time of day for whale watching, not pollution or water quality problems.While most of the beaches in the state have earned accolades for unspoiled sand and pristine waters, some beaches stand out as the cleanest. This beloved Malibu beach is somehow blissfully clear of crowds. Once you finally reach the bottom, you will be rewarded by spectacular views of the ocean. Windansea Beach is situated at the end of Nautilus Street in La Jolla and features a small stretch of sand which is popular among families with kids and surfers. Vacationers who are visiting La Jolla Cove during low tide will have a chance to explore fascinating tidal pools. See Hotels.com best Southern California Beach hotels with our lowest price guarantee. But not all SoCal beaches are created equal, and with some 300 or so miles of coastline to choose from, selecting a beach destination for your trip can be daunting. This pier includes an amusement park, complete with games, rides and tuck-shops and even an aquarium. There are two piers including the Newport Beach Pier and Balboa Pier, walk out to the ends to get some spectacular ocean views. Make sure to check out the popular Manhattan Beach Pier which is a hotspot for many surfers and fisherman. California is known as a home to some of the best beaches in the United States. But with more than 250 million visiting the Golden State each year, finding your own secluded spot on the sand can be difficult. Top California Beaches: See reviews and photos of beaches in California, United States on Tripadvisor. The newly opened Palisades Village (from the same people who run the Grove in West Hollywood) is less than 10 minutes away and has plenty of dining options (Blue Ribbon Sushi, the Draycott, McConnell’s Ice Cream) as well as high-end shopping (Fleur du Mal, Alo, Chanel). One of the main attractions is definitely the Roundhouse Aquarium, located at the end of the pier. Head out to the Balboa Fun Zone which is an amusement park that houses numerous attractions for all the family including a huge ferris wheel. Surrounded by cliffs, La Jolla Cove is one of the smallest beaches in Southern California and definitely the most picturesque beach in the region. However, keep in mind that swimming is almost impossible due to the large hazardous rocks. Nevertheless, Windansea Beach looks amazing with sandstone rocks and a cute beach shack that was built in 1946. This cultural hub attracts millions of tourists each year who come to people-watch and soak up the quirky atmosphere. Unfortunately, there are no public facilities provided, but lifeguards are on duty during the summer season. La Jolla Shores Beach. If you decide to camp, a ranger will check you in onsite. Black’s Beach has some of the best surfing in the area and never has loads of tourists or families. Some of the most popular activities include sunbathing, swimming, and surfing. The beaches along the Southern California coast are among the most beautiful in the world. You can also have a meal at one of the high-end restaurants on the island. Parking costs $9, but you can find free street parking if you come early in the morning. Today, Huntington remains a wave-riding mecca and the most popular of the well-known beaches in the country—but surfing is not the only game in town. Discovered just a 20-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles, Santa Clause Monica beach is one of the most well known beaches in California. Southern California is known for its stunning & cleanest beaches. Don’t forget to watch the sun go down from the pier, everyone says that the sunsets here are amazing. The Insider Info: Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City USA, is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Southern California. Santa Monica is perhaps Southern California’s most iconic beach. There’s a lot to love: The lively atmosphere, constant opportunities to catch talented buskers, beachside bars such as the Bungalow and the Independence, and the many oceanfront cafés and restaurants all make it a must-hit spot. The pier, with its famous Ferris wheel, hosts a free autumn concert series with up-and-coming as well as well-known artists (previous performers include Khalid, Lemaitre, Rufus du Sol, Borns, and Mavis Staples). Catalina Island, off the shore of Los Angeles, is accessible only by boat. Whether you are considering a California Beach Vacation or just an outing, you will find that Southern California Beaches are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The Santa Monica South Beach in Los Angeles, apart from being one of the best-equipped beaches in Southern California, also boasts of having the magnificent Santa Monica Pier in close proximity. More Close to Home. The flat, wide beaches and desirable breaks along Huntington Beach gave this town its “Surf City, USA” nickname in the 1950s when the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing first took place. Even leopard sharks can be seen sometimes. After a long day on the beach, head out to the social center of the island and check out dozens of galleries and shops. Here is our list of the best beaches in Southern California: Located in Malibu, El Matador Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in the region and features amazing rock formations and stunning views of the surrounding areas. In ranking for the best beaches for bonfires in California, we considered a few criteria: the accessibility and number of fire rings, additional beach amennities like volleyball nets and picnic tables, natural features like rock jetties and tide pools, and proximity to … El Matador State Beach Looking to book a cheap Beach hotel in Southern California? The city of Huntington Beach has five beaches to choose from. The 1000 Steps Beach is personally one of my favorite beaches in all of Southern California and it also happens to be one of the least known beach spots. There are more than 40 volleyball courts and each year a popular volleyball tournament is organized by the City of Manhattan Beach. Stick around for sunset—you might be tempted to capture it, even if dusk photos aren’t typically your thing. Image Credit: Emma Svalstad via Unsplash. Santa Monica beach. The best beaches in California are also some of the most diverse. In the evening, the Strand is a great place for people-watching and going out for dinner at one of the many restaurants. Families with small children should know that the stairs that go down to the beach are not stroller accessible. The Best Beaches in Southern California (Video) Whether you're seeking ideal surfing or swimming conditions or prefer a secluded spot for sunbathing, there's a beach in Southern California … 7 Pristine Hidden Beaches Throughout Southern California You’ve Got To Visit This Summer. This beautiful campground has over 150 campsitesand is only 3.5 miles from San Onofre State Beach, or a 1.5-mile hike from surfer’s paradise, Trestles Beach. Resorts. With the wonderful weather and abundant permanent courts, the California coast is arguably the beach volleyball capital of the world. As summer approaches, it’s a good idea to book your reservation ahead through Two Harbors Visitor Services. It has bathrooms and nice tide pools to the north and south. From there, explore the beaches by renting a kayak (available from Two Harbor Dive & Recreation Center, Wet Spot Rentals, and others) and paddling out for the day. Many people come to this beach to take wedding photos, and with the amazing sunsets, we can see why. You’ll have to RSVP online as the show gets popular—60,000 people turned up to see Khalid—but the event itself is free. There’s also a dedicated (but very informal) slackline community that practices on the beach. Salt Creek Beach Park – This beach has a good deal of parking. If you’re looking to sunbathe, there are plenty of opportunities to hike down to the beach as well. Charming small towns in california best beaches in central california fishing in orange county enjoy oc surfing spots in los angelesSouthern California Ocean Fishing From Piers SurfBig Socal Surf FishingThe Best Southern California Surf Spots3 Of The Best Surf Fishing Spots On Outer Banks OceanThe Best Places To Go Fishing In Southern CaliforniaSouthern California Ocean … Read the origina article. It makes sense that this postcard-perfect seaside village has one of the best beaches in California. About 15 minutes south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria State Beach is a dream for families and anyone interested in small aquatic creatures. This beach is named after the long stairs that provide public access onto the beach. It is popular for various activities including swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. At Huntington State Beach, a little further south, there are one-off events and festivals throughout the year featuring acts like Toby Keith and Blink-182. The best-known gay-friendly beaches in Malibu are Zuma, El Matador, La Piedra, and Surfrider Beach near the Malibu Pier. We all know that California beaches have surf, sand, and plenty of sunshine, but not a single beach in the state can be compared to fabulous Venice Beach. When the tide is low, you’ll be able to walk through most of the rocky arches—and you may run into an engagement photo shoot or two. Home to nearly 3,500 miles of coastline, California is a beach lover’s paradise. Thanks to the 30-feet visibility under water, this beach is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. An hour-long ferry ride from San Pedro ($75 round-trip) will get you to Two Harbors (one of the Catalina’s two cities, along with Avalon). San Mateo Campground is commonly referred to as one of the best camping beaches in Southern California for a good reason!