The 13 best beaches in California

California is renowned for its sun-drenched strips of sand dotted up and down the Pacific coast with good reason. You don't become synonymous with US beach culture without some impressive shores that put the gold in the Golden State.

Find family fun in La Jolla, gaze upon world-class surfers in Huntington Beach, mingle with the bohemians in Venice Beach, cuddle at sunset in a Big Sur cove or find yourself on the stunning Lost Coast Trail.

No visit to California is complete without spending some time stretched out on the sand, and there are plenty of options for the many visitors that flock here every year. Beach time is sacred here – access is enshrined in state law. To help you get started on your must-visit list, here are ten of the best beaches in California.

1. Seacliff State Beach

Best beach for hanging with locals

California's Central Coast has more than 100 named beaches, varying from hidden coves perfect for quiet contemplation to long stretches of sunny sand backed by boisterous arcades and amusements, but some lure wildlife spotters as well as sun-seekers.

The northern star of the incredible sweep of sand that curves around Monterey Bay is Seacliff State Beach, a little over 70 miles south of San Francisco. It's a perennial local hangout and swimming and jogging spot. Offshore, the crumbling remains of a freighter built of concrete once served as a fishing pier, and the deeper waters of the bay are known for being a great white shark breeding ground.

Monterey Bay is home to an extraordinary bounty of sea life, above and below the water. It's easily the richest natural habitat on the entire California coast. Even just standing on the shore, you can see some of its wildlife, from gray whales to sea lions, seals and otters. If you see a great white, stick to the land!

Local tip: Central Coast water temperatures hover in the brisk 50s°F, so it's only natural that the modern wet suit was invented here by Jack O'Neill in the 1950s. If that's too chilly for you, head to Monterey for its chart-topping aquarium.

2. Pfeiffer Beach – Big Sur

Best beach for stunning views

Cradled by mossy redwood forests, the rocky Big Sur coast is a mystical place. Search out hidden waterfalls and hot springs and watch for endangered California condors while wandering along sea cliffs. Pfeiffer Beach's phenomenal crescent-shaped slice of sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in California, known for its huge rock arch – Keyhole Rock – through which waves crash with life-affirming power.

Dig your toes into the wet sand – it's purple! That's because manganese garnet washes down from the craggy hillsides above. It's often windy, and the surf is too dangerous for swimming, but it's a beautiful spot for a walk.

Local tip: Don't rush. Traffic, road closures and detours due to heavy weather, forest fires and even falling rocks slow progress on Hwy 1. Plus there are all the diversions along the way that will tempt you to stop for a visit or two.

3. Huntington Beach

Best beach for tacos and surfers

One of SoCal's best beaches, this sand-sprinkled surfing hotspot has a lively, walkable promenade near the pier. It gets packed on summer weekends with surfers, volleyball players, swimmers and families.

Grab a taco and watch pro surfers show how it's done, or rent a board if you're feeling adventurous. It's a great place to learn how to surf.

Local tip: If you want to build a bonfire or have a barbecue, stake out one of the thousand cement fire rings early in the day, especially on holiday weekends, when you should plan to arrive when the beach opens.

Planning tip: Most of Huntington Beach is pet-free except for the 1.5-mile Huntington Dog Beach located between Goldenwest and Seapoint Streets. In spring and fall, the beach hosts Corgi Beach Day. It’s a free, family-friendly “pawty.

4. El Matador State Beach – Malibu

Best beach for Instagrammable moments

Arguably Malibu's most stunning beach, El Matador is famous for being the spot where swimsuit model photo shoots take place. Park on the bluffs above and stroll down a trail to reach sandstone rock towers rising from emerald coves.

Sunbathers make the most of one of California's warm beaches by bodysurfing in the tides and watching for dolphins as they breech beyond the waves.

Planning tip: There’s no camping on the beach at El Matador, but Sycamore Canyon Beach a few miles north has camping.

Detour: Make the 5.5-mile jaunt to Point Dume for absolutely stunning views of this dramatic shoreline. You may have to wait half an hour to find a parking spot, but it's worth it.

5. Sonoma Coast State Park

Best beach for scenic variety

Stretching 19 miles, Sonoma Coast State Park is a chain of wave-lashed sandy pockets separated by dramatic rocky headlands. Some beaches are tiny, hidden in little coves and stuffed with rock formations, while others stretch wide. Most of the beaches are connected by vista-studded coastal hiking trails that wind along the bluffs.

Bring binoculars and your camera – the views of mini islands, inlets and shifting tides are stunning. Exploring this area makes an excellent day-long adventure, but facilities are nonexistent, so bring water and food as well as a fully charged cell phone.

Local tip: Bring sundowner cocktails and a picnic, or visit the gorgeously positioned restaurant and bar River's End at the mouth of the Russian River to watch the area's glorious sunset.

6. Baker Beach – San Francisco

Best beach for taking off your clothes

Escape San Francisco's busy buzz at mile-long Baker Beach, fronting the Pacific with picture-perfect Golden Gate Bridge views. It's on the western shore of the Presidio, so you get an unparalleled perspective of the famous landmark and the Marin headlands beyond from its caramel sands.

It's perfect for picnicking, though it can crowd up on weekends, especially on fog-free days. For nude sunbathing, head to its northern end; those who prefer to remain clothed stick to the south.

Planning tip: Looking for other beaches to explore? Check out what San Jose has to offer.

7. The Lost Coast

Best beach for black sand and hiking

To visit the Lost Coast is to discover volcanic beaches of black sand and ethereal mist hovering above roaring surf as majestic Roosevelt elk graze the forests.

The King Range boldly rises 4000ft within 3 miles of the coast, between where Hwy 1 cuts inland north of Westport to just south of Ferndale. The coast became "lost" when the state's highway system deemed the region impassable in the mid-20th century.

The best way to see the Lost Coast is to hike. In autumn, the weather is clear and cool. Wildflowers bloom from April through May, and gray whales migrate past the beaches from December through April. The warmest, driest months are June to September, but days are foggy, and the weather can change quickly.

Detour: Tackle an epic backpacking route through the area. Overnighters will need a bear canister and backcountry permit, both available from the Bureau of Land Management – the latter best acquired weeks in advance at recreation.gov.

8. Tourmaline Beach – La Jolla

Best beach for serious surfing

You can fight the crowds and learn to surf at San Diego's renowned Ocean Beach or Pacific Beach, but Tourmaline Beach in La Jolla has some of the best (slow!) waves for longboarders and beginners. Its long, sandy beach also has one of the chillest local vibes in San Diego.

You'll be sure to catch a few rewarding waves here, even on a small day, and if you luck into a monster day, you're in business. Local surfers can get territorial over the waves near Black's Beach up to the north, but at Tourmaline, the mood is always mellow. Enjoy the sand, surf and free showers. If you'd rather beach comb, head north to the quiet tide pools at Bird Rock.

Planning tip: La Jolla Cove, just up the coast, is considered among the cleanest of California’s beaches. Surrounded by sandstone cliffs, the calm and blue waters are great for both snorkeling and swimming.

Local tip: Grab some of the best Mexican food in town up on the bluff at Oscar's, where you can try fish tacos – a San Diego staple – or killer ceviche.

9. Laguna Beach

Best beach for exploring

Welcome to Laguna, a grand array of quiet coves, blue waves and seaside parks, all with an artistic flair. With 30 public beaches sprawling along seven miles of coastline, Laguna Beach is perfect for do-it-yourself exploring – there's always another stunning view or hidden cove just around the bend.

Although many of the coves are blocked from street view by multimillion-dollar homes, a sharp eye will take you to stairways leading from the Pacific Coast Highway down to the beach. Just look for the "beach access" signs and be prepared to pass between people's backyards to reach the sand.

Planning tip: Take a break from sun and sand to enjoy local events like the Festival of Arts held during July and August in Laguna Beach. The festival, featuring art shows and demos by 140 artists in media ranging from scrimshaw to furniture, culminates with a reenactment of famous paintings by costumed actors, accompanied by an orchestra.

Detour: Nearby Crystal Cove is great for camping, plus it's an underwater park where you can go scuba diving or tide-pooling, and fish, kayak and surf along the undeveloped shoreline.

10. Lake Tahoe

Best for beaches at high altitudes

Lest you get complacent combing only the ocean shores, remember the inland marvel that is Lake Tahoe. In summer, it's California's favorite high-altitude escape: a sparkling diamond tucked in the craggy Sierra Nevada Mountains.

In South Lake Tahoe, the nicest strands are Pope Beach, Kiva Beach and Baldwin Beach. Elsewhere, beaches dot the rim, like always-busy Zephyr Cove with its sandy, mile-long shoreline. Sheer granite cliffs and a jagged coastline hem glacier-carved Emerald Bay State Park, a teardrop cove of viridian water. You can take a small boat to the lake's only island, just offshore.

Planning tip: Carnelian West, Waterman's Landing, Hidden and Chimney Beaches allow dogs, though some require dogs to be leashed.

11. Arroyo Burro Beach – Santa Barbara

Best beach for canines

Pack up your pooch and head to Arroyo Burro Beach, a place so pet-friendly there’s a dog wash in the parking lot. Five miles south of upscale Santa Barbara, the beach is wide, the sand is soft and the waves can be wild enough to attract serious surfers.

When it’s time to eat, consider The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. The views are stupendous particularly at sunset and the food receives great reviews. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there are good prices on cocktails during happy hour.

Planning tip: After packing up your sunscreen and towels, stick around and explore Santa Barbara, a stunning destination on the ocean with the Santa Ynez Mountains in the background. Enjoy your off-beach time exploring the Spanish Colonial-style downtown with its white stucco buildings topped by red tile roofs, balconies overflowing with colorful blooms, bubbling fountains and tree–lined streets.

12. Belmont Shore Beach – Long Beach

Best beach for floating

At Belmont Shore Beach, the breakwaters create calm waters for swimming or, if you’d rather laze, just floating. You can also cast a line off nearby Belmont Shore Pier or grab a burger and brew at the Belmont Brewing Company while enjoying the panoramic ocean views.

If you like a beach with lots of action, this is the place for you, with amenities including sand volleyball courts, bike paths and walking trails. When you’re ready to get out of the sun, trendy 2nd Street, with its rows of shops and boutiques, is close by.

Planning tip: Not far away is one of Long Beach’s most exclusive neighborhoods, with rows of historic homes on the Naples Canal built in the early 1900s. Glide along the waterway on a gondola tour.

13. Santa Monica Beach – Santa Monica

Best beach for a low-key L.A. vibe

Just west of Los Angeles, Santa Monica has a laid-back beach charm not found on the busy streets of L.A. But not to worry, there’s still plenty to do.

The major attraction for sun and water enthusiasts is the rolling waves and seemingly endless sands of Santa Monica Beach, 3.5 acres of soft sandy beach. Of course, the iconic Santa Monica Pier has plenty going on, including an amusement park with a roller coaster and Ferris Wheel as well as free concerts.

Before or after beach time, take advantage of the amazing culinary diversity of the town’s restaurants and bars. For brunch order avocado fries for brunch at Bru’s Wiffle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cleanest beach in California?

La Jolla Cove, Bean Hollow and Emerald Bay State Park are among the cleanest California beaches.

What California beach has the clearest water?

The beaches at Santa Barbara, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Emerald Bay State Park, Catalina Island and Big Sur’s Pfeiffer Beach are known for having the clearest waters.

Are there any pet–friendly beaches in California?

Huntington Dog Beach,Laguna Beach (though check the hours because they change with the season) and Santa Barbara’s Arroyo Burro Beach allow dogs. Lake Tahoe has ten canine–inclusive beaches. Overall, 214 beaches allow dogs in California.

What is the best time to visit California beaches?

Peak beach season, when the Pacific Ocean is warmest, is June through August.