Best California Beach (2015)

“Surf City USA” is the apt nickname for Huntington Beach, home to a line-up of attractive beaches popular with surfers. But this is no “Hey, man,” town with ragged edges. Hotels, restaurants and tourism are big. Surfing goes glam at The International Surfing Museum and the US Open of Surfing, hosted at Huntington Beach annually. Family tourism is big here; even teens don’t lose points for hanging with the ‘rents.
Photo courtesy of Visit California

If a beach could be named as urban supermodel of beaches, Hermosa Beach would be in the running. Notably clean sand, an abundance of volley ball courts, a notable absence of frivolous tourist junk – all these earn thumbs-up. Hermosa also has The Strand, a paved, multi-use trail running for miles, attracting bikers and hikers who are actually there to exercise. Inline skates and even jogging strollers can be rented nearby.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Sebourn

Cunning beach cottages with white picket fences meld with downtown surf shops, small boutiques and good cafés. Margaritaville’s deck sprawls onto beach. This yesteryear beach village is a favorite with Bay Area locals. The beach is less windy than others in the area with swim-friendly water. Sandcastle practice is ongoing for September’s big contest.
Photo courtesy of TimCatteraPhoto

Manhattan Beach has been called one of the sexiest beaches in the U.S. The two-mile long pretty LA County beach alone could qualify. Add in well-toned bodies lazing on the sand and sleek glistening bodies leaping for a beach volleyball, and things look even better. Multimillion dollar beachfront homes offer even more eye candy. Facts are indisputable: Manhattan Beach is hot!
Photo courtesy of Stella Levi

East Beach appears like a vision in downtown Santa Barbara – a beach bordered by palm trees that seems to spring up from the town. It’s a beach to tote morning coffee to, or take a contemplative walk. Rarely crowded, it’s prime for swimming, kayaking or snacks on Stern’s Wharf. Deciding to embrace this beach for life is a dream that could be dashed by average Santa Barbara home price of $2.2 million.
Photo courtesy of Damian Gadal / Flickr

Visiting Coronado Beach is like a trip to Oz. Take the ferry or the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge to Coronado Island. Uncrowded white sand beaches sparkle magically with bits of mica, while gentle surf rolls to shore. The family-favorite beach is home to landmark Hotel del Coronado, whose turrets resemble the Wizard’s castle in L. Frank Baum’s book, “The Wizard of Oz.” Baum lived around the corner while penning the book.
Photo courtesy of Brett Shoaf, Artistic Visuals

Popular for hiking and horseback riding when the weather is swimming-prohibitive, Crystal Cove State Park comprises more than 3 miles of beach backed by 2,400 acres of pristine woodland. Tide pools and sandy coves attract beach strollers, but the beach is popular with swimmers and surfers as well. An underwater park caters to scuba divers.
Photo courtesy of Rick Samuelson

This is one big wide beach. Good thing, because Los Angeles residents flocks here and summer weekends are jam-packed. Santa Monica Pier diverts some to roller coaster and Ferris Wheel. No license is needed for fishing from the pier. The never-ending stream of So Cal sunny days keep ocean water swimmingly warm long into fall.
Photo courtesy of Zarnell

Moonstone Beach appeals to those who see drama in a single paddle boarder silhouetted against gray clouds at sunset. The water alters colors in the play of sunlight – fifty shades of waves put on a subtle show. Boulder-strewn Moonstone Beach discourages walking, but it’s bounty-laden for beach combers seeking smooth moonstone rocks as their prize. The beach boardwalk meanders past windswept Monterey pines bowed in permanent obeisance.
Photo courtesy of EagleCam / Flickr

The dramatic interplay of cliffs and crashing waves along Hwy. 1 through Big Sur make everyone want to stop. Pfeiffer Beach, one of the most popular stretches of sand along the Big Sur coast, is famous for its purple-hued sand. The short paved Overlook Trail within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park offers photogenic views of another beach, inaccessible yet very beautiful, where McWay Waterfall plummets into the sea.
Photo courtesy of Alina Kozinda