10 Best Beaches in California

Pfeiffer Beach is the prettiest beach in Big Sur, with its purple sand and massive boulders. The explanation for the purple sand is unknown, but it is one of the attractions for visitors.

The beach is frequently windy with rough waves, so it is too unsafe to swim in, but it's a lovely area for walking and taking photos. The rock arch, a big boulder on the beach with a large opening that appears like a gate through which waves constantly pass, is another Instagrammable spot that is attractive to a lot of tourists.

Photograph the famed Keyhole Rock, explore the tide pools at this isolated gem, and take the best photos, especially around sunset.

El Matador Beach is known as the place swimsuit-model photo shoots take place because it is one of the gorgeous beaches in Malibu.

Coastal erosion has taken its toll, yet there is still a sliver of dry sand snuggled against the bluffs. But it will make you feel as though you've stumbled across something special, tucked amid the luxury hotels of Malibu.

The views are spectacular from all points, but notably from the upper cliffs, with massive boulders and a deep, midnight blue ocean (you can even see some kelp underwater). There are picnic tables in the parking area on top of the bluff, so you can enjoy the beauty on the top.

Sonoma Coast is a network of sandy enclaves separated by several stunning rocky headlands that stretch 19 miles. Some beaches are small and tucked away in secluded coves, while others sprawl for miles. The majority of the beaches are connected by coastal hiking trails that wind along the bluffs and offer spectacular views.

Bring binoculars and a camera and explore Goat Rock State Beach. You can see amazing vistas, rocks, small islands, inlets, and changeable tides, which are breathtaking.

Exploring this area is a great day trip, but there are no amenities, so bring plenty of water and food and a fully charged cell phone in case of an emergency.

Santa Monica Beach is a traditional Southern California beach and one of the most recognized beaches in California, located not far from downtown Los Angeles. This famous beach is three and a half kilometers long and has fine, soft, and well-kept sand.

The beach, which is divided by the iconic Santa Monica Pier, is ideal for surfing, swimming, sunbathing, volleyball, and other sand and water sports. There are also numerous fantastic restaurants, pubs, and cafes along the seashore for you to visit.

Huntington State Beach is one of SoCal's best beaches. The palm tree-lined beach spans for about fifteen kilometers, and the massive waves that smash dramatically just offshore make it a surfer's paradise. With a nickname like 'Surf City,' it's no surprise that Huntington Beach is known all over the world for its incredible surf holidays.

Surfing, fishing, beach volleyball, swimming, romantic walks, and sunbathing are all available on the sandy beach. There are several basketball courts and fire rings for evening bonfires. You can also visit a lot of bars and nightclubs.

Baker Beach is a mile-long public beach located immediately west of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge at the base of high serpentine cliffs.

Its vast, sandy expanse is ideal for sunbathing and surf fishing, but swimming is perilous due to the cold water, big waves, and rip currents.

Enjoy beautiful views of Land's End, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands. On weekends, the beach is pretty crowded, and it's worth noting that the north end of the beach is clothes-free.

Crystal Cove State Park is considered one of Orange County's largest remaining natural seashores. The park has 18 miles of hiking trails spread throughout 2,400 acres of wilderness where you can forget you're in the middle of a bustling metropolis.

Crystal Cove Beach is an undeveloped beach where you can do scuba diving, tide pooling, fishing, kayaking, and surfing. It is located in a gorgeous cove with coastal cliffs. Long walks on the beach are enjoyable, as is discovering the unique tidal pools.

Laguna Beach is the stuff of California fantasies. Throughout this gorgeous region, visitors will be treated to cascading, verdant slopes, breathtaking coastal parks, and quiet beaches. All of this, as well as its small-town charm, are just a few of the numerous features that make this southern California destination one to remember.

It's also quite simple to get to. Laguna Beach is located between San Diego and Los Angeles along Pacific Coast Highway, making it a perfect location to stop on any California road trip.

In the South Bay district of Los Angeles, Manhattan State Beach is located between Hermosa Beach and Los Angeles International Airport. It is known as a sportsmen's paradise. There are 50 volleyball courts, and a game is always in progress.

The beach is well-kept and well-known, attracting more than four million people each year. The 928-foot-long Manhattan Beach Pier, built in the 1920s, is a popular hangout for surfers and an excellent fishing spot. The Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium is an octagonal structure at the pier's base.

Seabright Beach, which borders Santa Cruz Main Beach and is located between the harbor and the boardwalk, is a wonderful beach with smooth white sand. There is a large expanse of sand between the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and the natural wall that sticks out into the ocean where the San Lorenzo River meets the sea. A little natural rock arch allows river water to pass through.

A paved route extends from Seabright Beach to the magnificent Walton Lighthouse, which is positioned at the end of the Santa Cruz Breakwater.