California's 10 best beaches

Whether it’s your first visit to California, or your twentieth, chances are you will be visiting one of the state’s countless beautiful beaches.

There’s a perfect strand out there for everyone, but to help you get your visit started, here are ten of the best beaches in California for sea, surf, sand and sun.

Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur

This phenomenal crescent-shaped beach is known for its huge double-rock formation, through which waves crash with life-affirming power. Dig down 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.

Wander the sands of El Matador State Beach, one of Malibu's best © Steve Heap / Shutterstock

El Matador State Beach, Malibu

Arguably Malibu’s most stunning beach (known as the place swimsuit-model photo shoots take place). You can park on the bluffs and stroll down a trail to sandstone rock towers that rise from emerald coves. Sunbathers stroll through the tides, and dolphins breech the surface beyond the waves. It's been impacted by coastal erosion, but you can still find a sliver of dry sand tucked against the bluffs.

The beaches of Sonoma Coast State Park are separated by rocky headlands © Phil Haber Photography / Getty Images

Sonoma Coast State Beach 

Stretching 19 miles, this is actually a series of beaches separated by several beautiful rocky headlands. Some beaches are tiny, hidden in little coves, while others stretch far and 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 are stunning, with rock outcrops, mini islands, inlets and shifting tides. Exploring this area makes an excellent day-long adventure, but facilities are zero, so bring water and food, as well as a fully charged cell phone, in case of emergency. 

There's plenty to do around Santa Monica © Corey Jenkins / Getty Images

Santa Monica State Beach

There are endless ways to enjoy this 3.5-mile stretch of sand, running from Venice Beach in the south to Will Rogers State Beach in the north. Sunbathing and swimming are obvious options, but you can also reserve time on a beach volleyball court or, for more cerebral pursuits, settle in at a first-come first-served chess table at International Chess Park.

Arrive early for the perfect spot on Huntington Beach, Los Angeles © Steve Whiston - Fallen Log Photography / Getty Images

Huntington City Beach

One of SoCal’s best beaches, the sand surrounding the pier gets packed on summer weekends with surfers, volleyball players, swimmers and families. Bathrooms and showers are located north of the pier at the back of the snack-bar complex. If you want to build a bonfire or have a barbecue, stake out one of the 1000 cement fire rings early in the day, especially on holiday weekends, when you should plan to arrive when the beach opens.

Crown Memorial State Beach, Oakland

Along the western shore of Alameda Island, this beach sees flocks of East Bay locals on a sunny day. The sandy beach stretches 2.5 miles along the San Francisco Bay, and windsurfers love riding the gusts from across the bay. There are picnic spots and grilling stations throughout the park.

There are wonderful views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach © Matteo Colombo / Getty Images

Baker Beach, San Francisco 

Picnic amid wind-sculpted pines, fish from craggy rocks or frolic nude at mile-long Baker Beach, with spectacular views of the Golden Gate. It's very crowded come weekends, especially on fog-free days, so be sure to arrive early.

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park 

The best place to hunt for starfish, anemones and other tide-pool critters is in and around this rock-strewn eco-preserve. It consists of two beaches; Abalone Cove and Sacred Cove. Some sections of the beaches are closed due to falling rocks so check the latest information before travel. 

On the beach in Crystal Cove State Park you can forget you're in a built-up area © TraceRouda / Getty Images

Crystal Cove, Newport Beach

A few miles of open beach and 2400 acres of undeveloped woodland at this state park let you forget you're in a crowded metropolitan area, at least once you get past the parking lots and stake out a place on the sand. It’s also an underwater park where you can scuba, go tide pooling, fishing, kayaking and surfing along the undeveloped shoreline. 

Laguna Beach is a beach community and popular tourist destination © TraceRouda / Getty Images

Laguna Beach

It’s easy to love Laguna: secluded coves, romantic cliffs, azure waves and waterfront parks imbue the city with a Riviera-like feel. With 30 public beaches sprawling along 7 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 multi-million-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 through people’s backyards to reach the sand.