15 Best Southern California Beaches | Ultimate Beach Bucket List
Southern California is home to some of the best beaches and beach towns (not to mentions surf) in the entire country and this southern California beach bucket list is here to help you find the best southern California beaches for your next getaway or roadtrip. Whether you are looking to lay out under the sun, explore cute beach towns, or take surfing lessons you’ll find what you are looking for here!
I’ve always known there is something special about California’s beachy surf culture, however, now that I live abroad I have realized even more how fun and unique southern California’s surf/beach culture really is! There’s something about laying out on the beach, looking up at palm trees, watching surfers (or surfing yourself), boogie boarding, and eating a good hamburger or Mexican street taco that you just can’t find that many places. I literally gasp anytime I find out that someone has never been to any southern California beaches before- like have you even lived??
So if that’s you, you’ve got to go now! Add these 15 beaches to your beach bucket list because they are some of the best that you will find in Southern California!
The 15 best southern California beaches to add to your California bucket list:
- Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles County
- Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles County
- Venice Beach, Los Angeles County
- Zuma Beach, Los Angeles County
- El Capitán State Beach, Santa Barbara County
- Huntington Beach, Orange County
- Newport Beach, Orange County
- Laguna Beach, Orange County
- Pacific Beach, San Diego County
- Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego County
- Moonlight State Beach, San Diego County
- La Jolla Cove, San Diego County
- Victoria Beach, San Diego County
- Coronado Beach, San Diego County
- Oceanside Beach, San Diego County
View this interactive map of the best southern California beaches to help get your bearings and plan your getaway or roadtrip:
Los Angeles County
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach is the best southern California beach for all you movie buffs because here you will find two La La Land filming locations. The first filming spot, The Lighthouse Cafe, is just a few steps away from the beach on Pier Ave. The Lighthouse Cafe is a popular jazz club that has been around since 1949 and also stars as a jazz club in the film. Today you can visit The Lighthouse Cafe for brunch or bar food and stay to hear an eclectic variety of bands.
Hermosa Pier is the other filming location from La La Land you may recognize. This pier is where Sebastian walks along singing ‘City of Stars’ under the moon and lamplight (bad news though, the cute lamps were movie props and not permanent fixtures on the pier).
Plus other than La La Land filming spots, this southern California beach features excellent surf, great swimming areas, multiple volleyball nets, and easy access to the local bike path. And after a day of playing at the beach, explore Hermosa Avenue along Pier Avenue and down to Pier Plaza to explore lots of cute shops and find a great spot to eat.
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Santa Monica Beach
If you ever wanted to visit the California that is so often shown in movies, Santa Monica has it all. Palm tree-lined streets, fiery beach sunsets, and of course celebrity sightings all within a few blocks; some days it’s hard not to believe this isn’t a movie set. Besides being a California icon, Santa Monica offers plenty of activities for any traveler to enjoy.
The coastal city of Santa Monica sits on the bluffs of Palisades Park with stunning views looking out to the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Monica State Beach stretches along 3.5 miles of sandy beach. If asking a local their favorite activity: rent or take a bike and cruise the paved beach trail. Riding (or walking) along with this you can find surfboard rentals, restaurants, and the Santa Monica Pier, all chock-full with local personality.
Santa Monica is a foodies paradise! When it’s time for dinner, peruse options from quick bites to world-class cuisine. One of our personal favorites is Sugarfish. Following dinner, shop ‘til you drop at the Third Street Promenade.
You can easily spend an entire weekend exploring Santa Monica, however, if you want to see more of Los Angeles. I suggest Griffith Observatory, which offers incredible views of Downtown LA and Mt. Hollywood.
Written by Alisha of Travel Today Work Tomorrow
Venice Beach
Venice Beach in Los Angeles is one of the most active beaches in California. The city of Venice itself is a unique experience as it is the epicenter of bohemian culture in LA. This vibe is also clearly part of the beach with epic murals, art, and adventurers making it a fun place to hang out. Venice skatepark is located at the beach where you can watch folks doing adventurous tricks at the skateboard. I would recommend going there with an action camera to get those commercial shots if you are into content creation.
Another magical experience is walking along the beach enjoying the artist’s creativity on walls and even trees. Folks around the world travel here to paint graffiti on a daily basis and the painting changes every day, which is pretty unique here. The beach also hosts miles of merchandise shops with local artists performing, which is pretty entertaining.
The town and the houses near the beach are filled with unique murals adding to the vibe. Venice beach is for art lovers, adventure lovers, and beach lovers. Venice beach was my most favorite destination during a Los Angeles road trip, and I am sure some of you will agree when you visit.
Written by Jumana of Planet Hopper Girl
Zuma Beach
Along the dreamy Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the world, you will find breathtaking beaches. In the Northern part of Malibu, one of the gems is Zuma beach. It is one of the largest and nicest stretches of beach in Southern California. Zuma beach has gorgeous white sand, a fabulous laid-back vibe, excellent surf, and is also popular with boogie boarders. The beach is nice and wide, giving plenty of space so you are not crowded with other beachgoers. Zuma beach is also one of the cleanest beaches in LA County.
Depending on the time of year, you can spot dolphins and whales swimming close to shore. There can be heavy rip currents, so listen to the lifeguards!
There is a small cafe with offerings like pizza and sandwiches. The food is mediocre and pricey though, so take a picnic and enjoy the backdrop of the ocean views against the rocky bluffs.
A popular hike nearby is Point Dume, where you will be treated to spectacular views of the ocean. The hike is 3-miles, roundtrip.
Written by by Debbie of World Adventurists
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Santa Barbara County
El Capitán State Beach
Located just off of US Highway 101, El Capitán is a state beach 17 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, just outside of Los Angeles County. It is a somewhat sparsely populated area and as a result, is a very relaxing beach to visit. This is especially the case on a weekday morning. The entrance to the park is memorable for its lush, twisted sycamore and oak trees flanking a narrow road off the highway.
You can also camp at El Capitán by tent or RV. There are over 100 spaces available for reservation. If you’re short on time, you could instead visit the beach as part of a day trip and walk the Bill Wallace Trail, named for a coastal protection advocate and former Santa Barbara County supervisor.
Nearby you can find the Chumash Painted Caves, another protected state park. Day use of El Capitán requires a $10 entrance fee per vehicle, while the camping site fee is slightly higher per night.
Written by Taylor of Taytrum Travels
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Orange County
Huntington Beach
One of the absolute best Southern California beaches is Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City, USA! Each summer Huntington Beach hosts the US Open of Surfing with both professional and amateur surf, skate and BMX competitions right on the beach (and admission is free!). One summer when we were living in LA, we drive down to Huntington Beach to experience the US Open of Surfing ourselves and it was totally awesome.
Huntington Beach is also a perfect California Beach town with palm tree-lined streets and cute shops and restaurants with beautiful views of the surfers on the Pacific Ocean. To truly experience Huntington Beach, rent a beach house right along the water and be only steps away from the sand or take surfing lessons from a local.
You can easily spend multiple days staying in and enjoying Huntington Beach or it’s the perfect beach to visit during a Disneyland trip daytrip.
Newport Beach
Newport Beach is an amazing beach in southern California that needs to be added to your bucket list. It’s a great trip to take during a weekend or 3-day Los Angeles trip as well. Newport Beach is most famous for its piers, including the Balboa Island Pier. This pier has a “fun zone” that is popular among families as it has plenty of rides for kids.
The most famous ride here is the old school ferris wheel, which provides wonderful views of the ocean. Newport also has a quaint downtown full of restaurants, ice cream parlors, and souvenir shops. One of the best restaurants in the area is the Beachcomber Cafe. If you’re 21+, there’s also the Winery at Newport Beach which has wine selections from all around the world.
Before leaving Newport, be sure to walk the long pier that jets out from the parking lot above the water. It’s a great way to see the boat-filled harbor that sits adjacent to the Pacific Ocean.
Written by Nicole of The Abroad Blog
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Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach has everything you could want out of a beach. There is a long stretch of sand, opportunities to get into the water, and it is located right in the middle of town. You can access the beach from the main street of the town through a series of boardwalks. If you want a really picturesque walk down to the beach, park on Cliff Drive and walk down through Heisler Park. The pathway is lined with flowers and gives you an overview of the long beach.
Top things to do at this beach include taking long strolls, tide pooling in the rocks around the corner from the Heisler entrance, and swimming. On a calm day, you will see many paddleboarders, and there is always sure to be a surfer or five. Be mindful that the entirety of the beach is a Marine Protected Area, and follow the signage instructing you not to collect shells or overturn rocks.
When you’re done at the beach, nearby Carmelita’s offers amazing Mexican food. For an experience overlooking the beach, check out Las Brisas at the top of Heisler Park. You will never run out of things to do at Laguna Beach!
Written by Samantha of A Truthful Traveler
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San Diego County
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is a chill surfer community located on the north end of San Diego known for great surfing and great vibes. I spent many summer vacations visiting Pacific Beach with my family growing up and continue to visit as an adult because we love it so much. We even convinced my parents to let us tag along on a trip they already had planned that was our babymoon before our little gal came along.
Start your day off with an amazing, guided, morning yoga practice on a hill overlooking the ocean at Palisades Park with Namasteve Yoga followed by breakfast at a Pacific Beach classic, Kono’s Surfer Club Cafe. Kono’s is the area’s breakfast hotspot (breakfast served all day) and an absolute must-do while in Pacific Beach (but seriously, make sure you go there). Try any of the ‘Kono’s Classics’ and enjoy your meal outside and across the boardwalk to watch the surfers while you eat.
Later you can bike or rollerblade on the beautiful, oceanfront Pacific Beach boardwalk. You can head either north to gorgeous La Jolla or south to Mission Bay. And for two streets full of cute shops to explore, head to Garnet Ave and Mission Blvd! Then you can grab lunch or dinner from Taco Surf PB for some delicious Mexican food from a chill surfer hangout!
One of our favorite things to do in Pacific Beach is to rent a boogie board and play in the ocean for hours. And a unique place to stay is on the cottage-lined Crystal Pier that juts out into the Pacific where you can spend the night with the waves crashing beneath you.
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Torrey Pines State Beach
One Southern California beach that is extremely worth visiting is Torrey Pines State Beach in La Jolla. Though many know of this area for its signature golf courses, the beaches are equally as stunning. Set against picturesque cliffs, this spot is ideal for sunset viewing.
The beach itself is a wonderful place to relax, but hiking is the main attraction here. The trails of the Torrey Pine State Natural Reserve Park start down at the beach and then make their way up to the top of the cliff for a spectacular sight.
If you are lucky, you will see hang gliders jumping off the cliffs and soaring above you, as this is one of the most popular spots for that. There is also an extra challenging hike dubbed ho Chi Minh’s trail with unique rockwork formations for the adventurous.
Torrey Pines Beach is only 10 miles north of the Village of La Jolla where seals are frequently spotted in the tide pools. This village is also the ideal spot to enjoy California cuisine, like fish tacos from Puesto or sushi rolls from Sushi Nekosan. For those visiting San Diego, La Jolla or Carlsbad, a drive to the Torrey Pines State Beach is sure to be a worthwhile experience!
Written by Amy of The Florida Travel Girl
Moonlight State Beach
Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas, California is one of the most popular beaches in San Diego. This family-friendly beach received its name thanks to local residents who use to picnic here late at night in the early 1900s. Today, people visit for its wide sand that is perfect for sunbathing and also for its robust list of amenities — the most of any beach in its North County San Diego area.
Kids love the seaside playground and adjacent grassy areas when they’re not splashing around at the shoreline. On any given day you’ll also see volleyball players challenging each other on the three sand courts. Other conveniences include a seasonal concession stand and concrete picnic tables that are conveniently adjacent to fire pits (first come, first served) in the sand for barbecues.
And, perhaps most importantly, a state-of-the-art lifeguard station keeps surfers on the famous waves and ocean swimmers safe. You’ll find Moonlight Beach at the end of Encinitas Boulevard, just past Coast Highway 101, not too far from the historic downtown Encinitas area with cafes and boutiques.
Written by Katie of La Jolla Mom
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La Jolla Cove
With its jagged cliffs and rocky shoreline, La Jolla Cove is one of the most picturesque beaches in Southern California. As part of a marine refuge area, La Jolla Cove prohibits surfboards, boogie boards, and inflatables. So, of course, swimming is the most popular activity here, and you’ll even see many long-distance swimmers training.
The protective measures have created an underwater paradise of garibaldi and sea creatures for snorkelers and scuba divers. Marine mammals have also flourished, especially harbor seals and sea lions. Kayaking just outside the cove around the La Jolla Caves offers a chance to see them, or walk along the scenic path that winds from the La Jolla Cave Shop to the Children’s Pool just a half mile away.
The Children’s Pool, another nearby cove beach, was designed for children by constructing a curved seawall. As it turns out, the harbor seals really like this spot too and have more or less taken over this cove.
La Jolla village is also just a short walk, about 5 minutes, and is not your typical beach town. It’s more like a country club with high-end shops, art galleries, and some of the best restaurants in San Diego.
Written by Denise of Chef Denise
Victoria Beach
Victoria Beach is both one of Laguna Beach’s best beaches and one of its hidden gems. The long white-sanded beach lies in front of some of the most expensive homes in the area, in an exclusive community.
Victoria Beach is also home to the Laguna Beach pirate tower, one of the city’s quirkiest and most mysterious attractions. The 60-foot tall tower is built straight into the cliffside and looks like something straight out of a fairytale, but was originally built to serve as beach access for the family who lived in the mansion above.
Getting to Victoria Beach is a little bit of an adventure itself – the public access to it is a bit hidden, so many do not realize that it’s there. In order to find it, start from Pacific Coast Highway and walk down Victoria Drive. Where it intersects with Sunset Terrace, you will find a stairway on your right – take these down to get to the beach. To find the pirate tower, keep going right around the cliff (do note that the tower may be inaccessible during high tide).
Other things to do on Victoria Beach include snorkeling, body surfing, swimming, kayaking, and playing beach volleyball on the volleyball courts. Also, check out the circular man-made pool right across from the pirate tower – there are excellent tidepooling opportunities there!
Written by Caroline of Pictures and Words Blog
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Coronado Beach
Coronado is absolutely one of the top spots on this Southern California beach bucket list! Located right outside of San Diego, Coronado Beach is a gorgeous beach you cannot miss. Whether you’re looking for a day trip from LA, a weeklong vacation, or even if you’re just spending 2 days in San Diego, you’ll fall in love with Coronado Beach.
Known for its super soft sand, Coronado Beach is unique to Southern California because of its shimmery element in the sand called mica. The beach literally looks like glitter. It’s such a beautiful sight to see.
A must-do at Coronado Beach is to catch a sunset. Beach sunsets are always pretty, but this extra shimmery sand adds a special element to a Southern California sunset.
One of the biggest features of the beach is Hotel Del Coronado. It’s the famous red roof hotel that’s over 130 years old. It’s a landmark on the island of Coronado and a fun spot to explore – or even stay during a vacation to the area.
Also be sure to catch dinner and ice cream on the main strip in Coronado. You’ll find lots of dining and shopping choices off the beach.
Recommended by Nikki of She Saves She Travels
Oceanside Beach
Oceanside, California is one of the best beaches in Southern California. You can spend the day relaxing on the beach, walking the pier or exploring the harbor, just like many other beach towns. But Oceanside is so much more unique than any other basic beach town. Not only is this where you will find the Top Gun house, but it is also where they filmed the final scene of Bring It On!
Another amazing reason to visit Oceanside is their food scene is one of the best in San Diego with so many amazing restaurants. Whether it’s for dinner, lunch or brunch you’re guaranteed to find a place you love. If you just want a drink you must check out Stone Brewery. Although everyone goes for the beer and spiked seltzer, they stay for the atmosphere!
Oceanside even has so many local shops. From fun boutiques to tea shops to water sports shops, there is a cool spot for almost anyone to check out!
Written by Sam of S&A Getaway
Check out these other posts, I know you will love them:
- 7 Perfect Beaches in Los Angeles You’ve Got to Visit
- Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea: 2 Day Itinerary
- 14 Beautiful California State Parks You’ve Got to See
- 6 of the Best Hiking Trails in Los Angeles
- 19 Unique Airbnbs in California You Need to Experience
- 12 Perfect Things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore
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