We're not all palm trees and cool bridges, y'all (although that's definitely part of our draw). California is actually incredibly diverse; living just outside San Francisco, within an hour or two's drive I could reach the ocean, mountains, forest or desert. When the weather gets warm, there's honestly nothing better than relaxing on a beach in my sunny home state. These six beaches, scattered all along the California coast, give you a taste of every beach vibe you could be hoping for, from chill to adventurous:
Bean Hollow State Beach
Half an hour south of Half Moon Bay is this lovely beach, featuring tidepooling opportunities and a self-guided nature trail. I took my time climbing the rocky cliffs surrounding the beach, stepping along trails which wound past succulents clinging to the rock and tafoni-riddled outcroppings. (I also sunbathed, and I can tell you this is a pretty great beach for it).
It's free, which is always a nice discovery in the Bay Area, and, again, not far at all from Half Moon Bay, making it the perfect place to stop after lunch! (I recommend Monsoon Himalayan Cuisine, which I hit up every time I drive through)! La Jolla Cove
La Jolla, San Diego's "Jewel by the Sea," features the small but stunning La Jolla Cove, the entrance to the 6,000 acre La Jolla Underwater Park, which includes an ecological reserve. Besides lounging around on the beach, there's tons of activities to do here, from snorkeling to kayaking to stand-up paddle boarding. I recommend checking out the sea caves, too!
The Cove is free, if you can find street parking (it's not too difficult, but you'll probably have to park a few blocks away), and renting snorkeling/kayaking equipment shouldn't set you back too much, either.
Pfeiffer Beach
The beaches in Big Sur are some of the most beautiful in the state, and Pfeiffer Beach is undoubtedly the most famous. Hidden off an unmarked residential road (called Sycamore Road on your GPS, if you can get that thing to work down here), it's a little hard to find, but worth it for the streaks of purple, garnet-rich sand and the stunning keyhole arches. The price is a little steep, at $10 for one day's access, but I thought it was worth it to have the opportunity to check this place off on my bucket list.
I recommend going at sunset, when light streams through Keyhole Arch, and the ocean turns to glass reflecting the sky. I brought a picnic dinner, which was such a nice way to end the day! Sue-meg State Park
Explore tidepools and forests in this State Park, which packs plenty of trails into its compact one-square-mile frame. Although it's a bit too far north for tanning on the beach, the waves crashing against the tiny islands off the coast, combined with opportunities for agate hunting and whale watching, make this beach a great coastal day trip.
The entrance fee isn't too bad either, at $8. Point Lobos
Called "the crown jewel of the State Park System," Point Lobos features stunning coves and incredible opportunities for divers.
Here, you'll also get the chance to see a myriad of wildlife, from the more common seals and seabirds, to the slightly rarer-to-spot sea otters and migrating gray whales!
$10 gets you access to the visitor center, museum, and miles of coastline to explore.
Point Reyes
80 miles of shoreline make Point Reyes National Seashore one of the most varied places to visit on this list, with everything from sandy beaches to rocky tidepools to a waterfall flowing straight onto the beach. Although their famous lighthouse is currently undergoing restoration, there's still plenty to see here--from historic Chimney Rock to the world-famous (or at least Instagram-famous?) Cypress Tree Tunnel. Best of all, admission is free!
The beaches in California aren't all like what you see in the postcards. Some of them are even better. With such a diverse array of sights, there's no shortage of incredible things to experience here.
What are your favorite beaches in California? Did I hit on any of your favorites, or leave any killer ones out? Let me know in the comments! Like this post? Why not share it?
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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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