The 18 Best Beaches in California

If you’re looking for a great beach to relax on in California, you’ll want to check out the top 18 beaches based on ratings and reviews. These beaches offer stunning views, plenty of activities, and ample opportunities to soak up the sun. So whether you’re looking for a secluded spot or a busy beach with something for everyone, you’ll find what you need here. Check out these world-class beaches today!

Best Beach in California

El Matador Beach

• Address: 32350 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (4504)

Top 18 Most Beautiful Beaches in California

Venice Beach

• Address: Venice Beach, California, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (3841)
• Website: Link
• Reviews:
  Less crowded beach, spring flowers are in full bloom at the time we went. Splendid views.There is a hill atop overlooking the beach. Restrooms available.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Shreyasi Dutta (6 months ago)

  One of the most prettiest beaches I’ve been to in my life! Was neat, maintained and beautiful. It is a good place to watch surfers and have a cute date or picnic with friends and family. Sunsets are very gorgeous but be sure to go on a week day because on weekends it’s pretty packed, especially on holidays. There are nice coffee shops and other places to eat nearby.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By thanuja ramesh (9 months ago)

  This beach is clean and has bathroom . Also they have picnic table with grill make your day more enjoyable n relaxed . We went to beach Area which clean (no flies) . We had spend father day entire day here. Here I recommend to wear jacket or hoodies because of wind.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Munmi Boruah (5 months ago)

  Recently visited “Half Moon Bay State Beach”

  This area is clean, equipped for people having rest with tables and benches, barbecue etc.

  NOTE: the water is cold! The wind is cold! It feels like it’s going through your body and soul!!! So, make sure you take extra wind-resisted clothes! The sand is warm though

  We visited on Sunday and paid $10 for parking

  I think I’ll be back again in much warmer outfit!

  #HalfMoonBayStateBeach
  #BeachCaliforniaUSA

  ✭✭✭✭ By Oksana Sokaliuk (7 months ago)

  Less crowded beach, with lively people.

  Nice place to spend time in the evening.

  Cleanliness is a problem here and there.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Sam Sam (3 months ago)

Baker Beach

• Address: Baker Beach, San Francisco, CA, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (1653)

Twin Lakes State Beach

• Address: Twin Lakes State Beach, California 95062, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (843)
• Reviews:
  We wanted to spend couple of hours on the beach after visiting The Mystery spot and found this beach. Parking here is bit difficult to find, we had to wait for at least 10-15 mins to get the parking spot. Beach is not that big however we found it great for taking a walk and click pictures. I would recommend to visit here if you are nearby and want to spend couple of hours in the evening. We also notice dead seal on the shore 🙁

  ✭✭✭✭ By Aditya Joshi (5 months ago)

  Great place to catch a pretty sunset. It is generally pretty quiet during the week unless it is mid summer, but even then it is not super packed. They have a few benches you can sit at to take it all in or you can head down to the sand and water to get an even closer look at the beauty this beach has.

  The sunrise is just as beautiful and peaceful.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By MJ Stearns – Your Local Real Estate Expert (a month ago)

  This is a wonderful little beach, especially when they’re not pumping sand out of the harbor onto the beach and bulldozing it which only happens in winter.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Thomas Santa Cruz (10 months ago)

  Located about a mile south of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk this is a gem of a beach with at least 3 life guards “2 on a sea-Doo the rescue” lots of great waves for boogie boarding. Restrooms and is in a located in a quiet area. Great for family

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Henry Martin (2 months ago)

  Large sandy area but parking is limited

  ✭✭✭✭ By Andy Tai (4 months ago)

Monastery Beach

• Address: Monastery Beach, California 93923, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (770)
• Reviews:
  Nice beach with soft and nearly white sand. You can take the trail along the beach and enjoy the sights of Carmel. In the ocean I was able to see dozens of seals floating about, but none came to shore.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Jeff B (Jeffery) (12 months ago)

  My favorite beach in the area so far. Beautiful scenery. Took a small nap there. Very peaceful taking in the waves, the sky, the sand. Loved it.

  Signs marked as dangerous to swim.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Donna C (5 months ago)

  Dangerous but great dive spot. The sand is very coarse hard to walk on with gear and gets everywhere. Weeks later still picking big grains of sand out of gears and car.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Jonathan W. (5 months ago)

  I love this beach for its sand and easy access from Highway 1. It has a lot of parking for cars and space for people on the beach.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Alex Budchanin (7 months ago)

  Big wave. It’s not a safe place to surf. Watch out.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Bill Wang (4 months ago)

Pfeiffer Beach

• Address: Pfeiffer Beach, California 93920, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (690)

Carmel Beach

• Address: Carmel Beach, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (596)

Capitola Beach

• Address: Capitola Beach, Capitola, CA 95010, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (559)

Waddell Beach

• Address: Waddell Beach, California 95017, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (515)

Bean Hollow State Beach

• Address: Bean Hollow State Beach, California, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (512)

Morro Strand State Beach

• Address: Morro Strand State Beach, California 93442, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (308)

Pescadero State Beach

• Address: Pescadero State Beach, California 94060, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (241)

Sunset State Beach – California State Parks

• Address: Sunset State Beach – California State Parks, Sunset Beach Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (194)

El Capitán State Beach

• Address: El Capitán State Beach, California 93117, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (185)

Stinson Beach

• Address: Stinson Beach, California 94970, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (124)

Sand Dollar Beach

• Address: Sand Dollar Beach, California 93920, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (90)

West Beach

• Address: West Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (61)

Pomponio State Beach

• Address: Pomponio State Beach, California 94074, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (60)

Shell Beach

• Address: Shell Beach, California 94937, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (15)

That’s it for our list of the best beaches in California! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers. And don’t forget to check out some of the other posts on our blog for more travel inspiration. Happy beachcombing!