Affiliate Disclosure: We’re independent & reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
My 23 Favorite Beach Towns in California
I grew up in California and spent my childhood exploring its beautiful beach towns. I’ve created this guide to the state’s best beach towns so you know exactly which ones to visit.
Many of these towns are among the top California destinations, and there’s a place for everyone whether you want to build sandcastles, stay in waterfront rental houses, or hike next to jagged ocean cliffs.
Want to jump around?
23 Best Beach Towns in California
La Jolla, San Diego
Stay in luxurious waterfront hotels with easy access to the beach.
📍 Google Maps | Website
La Jolla is just a short drive from downtown San Diego. It’s filled with romantic restaurants and dimly-lit bars for date nights and an aquarium for a fun-filled family beach day. This San Diego beach town is most well-known for its famous beaches like La Jolla Cove.
Planning to stay in La Jolla? The beaches are within walking distance of La Jolla’s top waterfront hotels, which saves visitors the hassle of finding parking and provides easy access to the beach to catch the best waves in town.
There are so many things to do in La Jolla, but I highly recommend visiting the local sea lions along the rugged coastline.
Newport Beach
Rent a beachfront home for an unforgettable beach experience at this popular family-friendly beach town.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The sunbathing possibilities are endless at Newport Beach, one of the best beaches in California. The enormous Newport Beach area has fire pits, volleyball nets, and a grassy soccer/picnic field beside the ocean.
Roller skate down the beach walkway, which will take you all the way to Huntington Beach. Or stroll down the pier to watch fishermen catch dinner for the night. Don’t miss the classic Ruby’s Diner at the end of the Balboa Pier – it reels in beach-goers with the aroma of french fries and juicy burgers.
You’re in luck if you’d rather spend the day shopping than lounging on Newport’s beach. Fashion Island is one of the largest malls in Southern California and is the most frequented attraction in Newport.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Explore California’s most fantastical seaside village.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Carmel-by-the-Sea is on California’s central coast and it’s one of the quaintest seaside cities in the state.
There are plenty of attractions in Carmel despite the town’s one-square-mile size. Visit Carmel Beach to watch a breathtaking sunset over the storybook village. And experience the rest of this charming city by visiting the local boutiques, wineries, and art galleries that line the downtown village.
Huntington Beach
Surf some huge waves or watch experts snap and turn on the sea foam waves.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Expect crowds at Huntington which is the most famous Southern California beach. Huntington has miles of golden sandy beaches and it’s a hotspot for watersports, which are among the top things to do in Huntington Beach.
Huntington Beach is the most popular beach for young adults because it has an array of bars and downtown clubs, making the nightlife impeccable. Visitors also flock to Huntington for the famous U.S. Open of Surfing competition each summer.
Make sure you comb through our beach packing list before you go to this incredible beach! Don’t forget to bring your surfboard, skimboard, boogie board, or snorkel gear to ensure you can spend as much time as possible at the beach.
Santa Barbara
Be a part of history when you visit the Old Santa Barbara Mission.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Santa Barbara is much more than a renowned college town. This coastal paradise is home to some of the best wave breaks in the Pacific Ocean.
Lounge at the beach, enjoy the city’s fascinating art scene or indulge in some delicious food and wine. History buffs should visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History to learn about local history and culture and check out the Old Santa Barbara Mission which dates back to 1786.
Laguna Beach
Eat from award-winning restaurants on the waterfront.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Individuals who appreciate the finer things in life must visit Laguna Beach. It’s an easy day trip from Los Angeles and a perfect escape from the city’s chaos.
Laguna Beach is an Orange County gem with a thriving art scene. Visit during the summer to attend the annual Sawdust Art Festival which hosts over 1,000 local artists.
Laguna’s beaches are well-maintained and enticing, but don’t pass up on its many fine dining options. Acclaimed restaurants like The Loft and Sapphire make Laguna a worthy stop for foodies and beach lovers.
Monterey Bay
Look for sea life on a whale-watching cruise.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Monterey is a Northern California gem of a beach town. Enjoy the stunning coastline on one of Monterey’s many hiking trails — the scenic views are unmatched.
Monterey Bay is rich in wildlife. Take a biologist-led whale-watching tour to cruise the harbor in search of the majestic animals. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the most highly-rated aquariums in California. It showcases marine animals such as dolphins, sea lions, and orcas.
Morro Bay
Lounge on Morro Rock Beach under the hot California sun.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Coastal scenery collides with rolling hills at Morro Bay. The most prominent feature, Morro Rock, is the backdrop of this sleepy fishing town.
Enjoy the 3-mile stretch of Morro Strand State Beach for windsurfing, fishing, and jogging during your stay. After a fulfilling day exploring the coast, try a fresh seafood dinner at one of Morro Bay’s waterfront restaurants like The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar.
Downtown also has fun Morro Bay activities like vintage shopping, a movie theater, and local bars.
Venice Beach
Go people-watching and workout at this entertaining beach town.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Venice Beach is one of those places that draws many unusual characters, making it a prime spot for people-watching.
Bring your skateboard to Venice Skate Park or pump iron at Muscle Beach for some fun physical activity. Visitors can also rollerblade or bike down the boardwalk from the downtown Venice area to the Santa Monica Pier.
Get a true Los Angeles experience at the High Rooftop Lounge. You’ll feel like a celebrity lounging on the open-air deck as you enjoy food and specialty cocktails, and listen to the daily live DJ.
Shelter Cove
Explore both rugged coast and dense redwood forest on the same day.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Shelter Cove sits on California’s Lost Coast in Humboldt County. Giant redwood trees intercept the rugged coastline of this small seaside town.
Investigate tidepools or wander down the black sandy beaches of Shelter Cove. Campers can spend the night on the beach and luxury travelers can book a stay at an oceanfront home.
This small town is one of the most secluded in California. Jagged peaks and mossy cliffs beckon visitors to explore this untouched beauty as they escape the modern world.
San Clemente
Enjoy the Spanish-style architecture at this elegant beach town.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Best Places to Stay in Orange County
San Clemente is known as the “Spanish Village by the Sea” and lives up to expectations of picturesque sandy beaches and beautiful colonial-style architecture.
San Clemente has both expansive beaches and excellent opportunities for hiking and biking along the coast. The San Clemente Pier is the top attraction. Try some fresh oysters at a seafood restaurant or bring a rod and fish for your own wild-caught dinner.
Avenida del Mar is San Clemente’s main shopping square. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the pier, so you can easily check out the various eateries, boutiques, galleries, and wine-tasting venues.
Moonstone Beach
Camp on the beach or visit Hearst Castle.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The sandy coves at Cambria’s Moonstone Beach make it a must-see. A wooden boardwalk spans one mile along the coast, bringing visitors to the best sites.
Partake in exciting aquatic adventures at Moonstone Beach like boating, surfing, and jet skiing. Search for marine life during the day and unwind during sunset with a relaxing glass of wine in a waterfront restaurant.
An exciting day trip from Moonstone Beach is Hearst Castle, one of the largest and most extravagant castles in the United States.
Pebble Beach
Golf on award-winning courses on a cliffside overlooking the ocean.
📍 Google Maps | Website
You must visit Pebble Beach if you like golfing. Not only does Pebble Beach have a top-rated public golf course, but it’s also home to world-class accommodations and extraordinary dining options.
Go horseback riding through wildflowers on the edge of rugged ocean cliffs in Pebble Beach. Prefer to focus solely on relaxation? Head to one of Pebble Beach’s spa sanctuaries to get all the pampering you need.
Crystal Cove
Camp in backcountry seaside wilderness.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Crystal Cove is a Pacific Ocean oasis that spans 12 acres along the coast. There is no shortage of beaches to lounge on here.
Crystal Cove State Beach comprises 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness and has a variety of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. It is also home to some of the best camping near San Diego.
The main features of the state park include unbelievable surfing and ideal conditions for scuba diving. Crystal Cove is a stunning nature haven that sharply contrasts an urban landscape.
Santa Cruz
Go on thrilling rides at the Santa Cruz boardwalk arcade.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Find Santa Cruz where the forest meets the sea. Santa Cruz has hundreds of attractions from the beach boardwalk to the downtown art walk and souvenir shops.
The Santa Cruz Pier Amusement Park is a must-visit. Ride roller coasters, eat a giant funnel cake, or try to win a carnival prize at the pier amusement park.
Take an expedition into the surrounding redwood forests if you’re looking for a Santa Cruz experience away from the crowds. Camp under the tree canopy or go on a scavenger hunt for famous Santa Cruz banana slugs.
Davenport
Catch sight of humpback whales on their way to Baja Mexico.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Davenport is a coastal retreat 11 miles north of Santa Cruz. Davenport Beach and Shark Fin Cove are the resident beaches of this coastal town. At both, you’ll find tidepools and plenty of surfers cresting the Pacific Ocean waves.
Find some shade under the prominent beach rock formations as you watch windsurfers. One of the best aspects about Davenport is that its beaches are dog-friendly, so you don’t have to leave the pup behind this time!
Davenport is a wildlife haven. Come here to see migrating gray and humpback whales as they make their way to and from Baja Mexico. You might also spot dolphins, sea lions, and sea otters.
Carpinteria City Beach
Escape the heavy crowds of Santa Barbara with a visit to this remote town.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The wide sandy beaches of Carpinteria City Beach are a prime location for beachside mansions, making your stay at this coastal town a luxurious one.
There are volleyball courts, picnic tables, and a campground available at the state beach.
Go for a walk in Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park to see rare plants and birds in their natural habitats. Carpinteria is only a 10-minute drive from Santa Barbara and the light crowds make it well worth the trip.
Santa Catalina Island
Enjoy the island vibes of Catalina while you sip on a cocktail at the beach.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Visiting Santa Catalina Island feels like taking a vacation within your vacation. It’s only accessible by boat or ferry. Leave your city blues behind to discover an aquatic, seaside town built on a remote, yet stunning, island.
Catalina Island is a Southern California paradise with a Mediterranean aesthetic, cobblestone streets, and Spanish-style buildings. Although it’s just 22 miles long, there is an abundance of Santa Catalina Island activities like scuba diving, parasailing, and bar hopping.
Dana Point
Try fresh, wild-caught seafood at waterfront Dana Point eateries.
📍 Google Maps | Website
You can’t visit Dana Point without going on a whale-watching tour. This is the most popular thing to do in town and Dana Point is one of the best places to see whales in California.
The Dana Point Harbor has dozens of specialty shops, wine-tasting rooms, and waterfront restaurants that all supply fresh, wild-caught seafood. Admire the town’s street art or go for a ride on one of many nearby mountain biking trails.
⛰️ Read Next: 15 Top Mountain Towns in California
Pismo Beach
Be a part of the monarch butterfly migration by visiting Pismo Beach in the wintertime.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Pismo Beach is known for its wineries and monarch butterfly sanctuaries. This town is a stop along the famous monarch migration route. A trip to Pismo during the winter may lead to an encounter with hundreds of these beautiful winged creatures.
Active visitors get their fitness fix on the top-grade golf courses or by riding the beach dunes in an ATV.
The Pismo Beach Premium Outlets also receive a fair share of visitors each year. Shop until it’s time for dinner at a high-class waterfront restaurant for the perfect experience.
Malibu
Luck out with a celebrity sighting at the cliffside Malibu town.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Malibu is famous for its many celebrity homes and sightings, so visitors are always on alert for A-list celebrities and athletes while here. Besides the possible surprise rendezvous, Malibu is also an exciting town with Spanish-style architecture and views of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Lounge on the beach or hike to canyons and waterfalls. The beach town has an upscale ambiance and appeals to visitors looking for a 4 or 5-star getaway.
There are endless things to do in Malibu, but I recommend exploring the beach coves and dining at organic eateries for an unforgettable experience.
Mendocino
Enjoy the local wineries in Mendocino.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Traverse Mendocino’s cliffside trails and the craggy beaches of the Mendocino State Park. It’s considered one of the most beautiful towns in the state.
Enjoy the oceanfront Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens to learn about native plant species in the area. You can also go wine tasting or rent a bike and ride through the whole seaside town to fully explore the area.
This town is only a short trip from the San Francisco Bay area, and its nationally acclaimed wineries are worth a visit.
Crescent City
The gateway to Redwood National Park.
Crescent City is the perfect combination of redwood forest and California coast. The crescent-shaped sandy beach of this seaside city attracts many tourists each year.
Crescent City is one of Humboldt County’s gateway towns for visitors staying near Redwood National Park. You’ll find an abundance of wildlife in the dramatic landscapes of Crescent City, so bring your binoculars and be cautious of black bears.
The rocky Crescent City Beach has a picturesque lighthouse with an old-timey feel. If you are road-tripping throughout the state’s coastal towns, this will likely be your endpoint.
🛣️ Read Next: Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary
***
Have fun exploring these awesome beach towns! Check out our guide to the best towns in California to explore other small, metropolitan places.
Almost any San Diego beach should work but if you’re looking for “beachy” then Pacific or Ocean Beach in So. Cal. Santa Cruz going up the coast from SD is another fun choice. You can’t go too wrong with any beach although the Orange County beaches aren’t all that great except Laguna for beauty or Huntington for surfing. Depending on your dates Huntington has some fun events.
Thanks for coming to Cali!
Cheers
Hello thanks for the info. Im bringing my 18yo son from Australia to California for holiday. He wants to see “happenning & exciting” beachy life in California. We will stay along the coast for a least a week maybe more. What are the best places we should look to hang?