The 21 Beaches in Southern California I Think are Worth It

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As a SoCal local and beach enthusiast, I’m here to give you the inside scoop on the best beaches in Southern California.

I guarantee there’s a beach you’ll love whether you want to explore sea caves, surf, or just lay out in the sun and relax. Many of these overlap with California’s best beaches overall. So, let’s get into it — here are the well-known classics and hidden gems you don’t want to miss.

21 Best Beaches In Southern California

Santa Monica State Beach

Santa Monica

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid lots and garages near the beach and in Santa Monica ($7 to $18)

Just west of Los Angeles, Santa Monica Beach offers visitors sandy shores, a bike path, and easy access to shopping.

The Santa Monica Pier is one of the best things to do in Santa Monica, so it’s a must-visit while you’re here. It’s home to an amusement park and an aquarium, so it’s the perfect place for a day of family fun or a casual date.

Santa Monica Beach is among the most popular LA area beaches for volleyball and biking and even has gymnastic equipment right on the beach. Test your skills on ropes or rings while enjoying the fresh ocean breeze!

🎬 Read Next: What to Do in Los Angeles

La Jolla Cove

La Jolla, San Diego

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid lots & garages, limited street parking

La Jolla Cove is calling your name if you’re an ocean or wildlife lover. The cove is considered part of La Jolla Underwater Park, where you’ll find sea lions, garibaldi, pelicans, and even gentle leopard sharks.

You can explore La Jolla Cove by kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, or diving. There are many rentals and tours available, so you don’t have to bring your own gear to enjoy these ocean activities.

Prefer to relax on one of the best beaches in La Jolla instead? The cove has a stretch of sandy beach that’s perfect for sunbathing. Later, make sure to check out all of the other fun things to do in La Jolla for a day well spent.

👉 Pro Tip: The best time to visit La Jolla Cove to snorkel with leopard sharks is during warmer months like August when the sharks seek out shallower water.

Sunset Beach

Huntington Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: free lot and street parking

Sunset Beach is nestled between Seal Beach and Huntington Beach along Pacific Coast Highway. This quiet, rarely crowded beach is great for surf fishing, surfing, and soaking up the sun.

Sunset Beach is located in the popular and laid-back town of Huntington Beach and there are a few nearby restaurants, bars, and shops you can pop into. SeaLegs at the Beach is a fun spot for food and drink options, and often hosts live music and events right on the sand.

El Matador Beach

Malibu

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: limited parking on top of the bluffs ($8–$10)

You’ll feel like you’ve left Malibu and traveled to a faraway land when you visit El Matador Beach. Parking is limited so El Matador has a private beach feel. A trail descends from the parking lot, taking visitors to a beach full of rock formations, arches, and caves.

El Matador is a better beach for sightseeing and sunsets than for swimming due to its rocky nature. Walk beneath the beach’s huge stone arches and check out the aquatic wildlife in its tide pools before admiring the sunset.

Pacific Beach

San Diego

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid lots, free street parking

Pacific Beach is one of the best beaches in San Diego. This San Diego neighborhood is the perfect mix of a laid-back surf town and a trendy nightlife spot.

At the beach itself, you’ll find surfers chasing waves near the pier and people relaxing under the sun. There’s a paved path that runs along the beach, so you can bike, skate, or walk right by the ocean.

The surrounding area is filled with restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops, so you’ll never run out of options. Pick up a latte at Pacific Bean Coffee, or split a punch bowl with friends at Duck Dive after a day in the ocean.

👉 Pro Tip: After spending some time at Pacific Beach, round up the kids and take them to the nearby Mission Beach neighborhood. Here, you can spend a few hours at the seaside amusement park, Belmont Park.

Abalone Cove

Rancho Palos Verdes

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: blufftop parking lot ($6-$12)

Abalone Cove is a magical, pebbly beach that’s home to lively tide pools and three sea caves. Enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean while you take the trail down from the parking lot to the shore. This secluded beach is popular for scuba diving and spotting interesting marine life.

Visit Abalone Cove’s tide pools at low tide, where you’ll find colorful anemones, scuttling crabs, and starfish. Feeling adventurous? Take the trail over to Sacred Cove, an even more secluded cove filled with crystal blue water.

Venice Beach

Venice

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid lots and metered street parking

You’ll find the funky, bohemian Venice Beach west of downtown Los Angeles. Here, you can watch street performers and browse local art on the boardwalk, stroll through a neighborhood full of canals, visit Muscle Beach, or dine in style.

There’s something for everyone in Venice – wander its eccentric boardwalk or enjoy fine dining on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Venice Beach is also a popular surf spot and is home to a skate park, so whichever kind of board you bring, you’re in the right place!

Seal Beach

Seal Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid lot and metered street parking

Seal Beach is a charming beach in Orange County, located between Pacific Coast Highway and the ocean. Its quaint Main Street is lined with restaurants and shops and leads down to a pier that juts out into the sea.

This California beach town is the perfect getaway if you’re looking for a gorgeous, sandy beach without the crowds of more heavily populated areas. Beach volleyball and surfing are popular activities in Seal Beach, and the vibe at the restaurants and bars is casual and friendly.

Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: metered street parking ($3 – $6 per hour), parking lots

Laguna Beach is home to seven miles of beaches and a thriving art community. Laguna has both sandy beaches and rocky coves that are perfect to explore with a snorkel.

Within the town itself, you’ll find art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and plenty of public art. There are plenty of things to do in Laguna Beach, so I highly recommend making a day out of visiting here.

👉 Pro Tip: Head to Shaw’s Cove to spot marine life in the kelp forest along the rocky bluffs if you’re up for a snorkeling or scuba adventure.

Manhattan State Beach

Manhattan Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: parking lots, metered street parking, and street parking

Manhattan State Beach is a family-friendly beach in the South Bay with a bike path and a 900-foot-long pier with an aquarium. Up near the north end of the beach is El Porto, which is a popular surf spot.

The beach here is sandy and stretches on for about two miles. You can play beach volleyball or take a dip in the refreshing water. Or, head to downtown Manhattan Beach to enjoy dinner with ocean views or shop at local boutiques.

Huntington State Beach

Huntington Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid parking lots, metered street parking, free street parking inside the town

Known as Surf City USA, Huntington Beach offers visitors miles of sandy beaches and waves that keep surfers coming back every day.

Huntington State Beach is home to the annual U.S. Open of Surfing, where you can watch the pros compete. This beach is perfect for visitors who want to enjoy the sun and sand or hit the waves and board.

The town’s Main Street is full of shops, restaurants, and bars, and boasts a lively nightlife. After spending some time beach bumming, make sure you check out all the other Huntington Beach activities.

Coronado Beach

San Diego

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: limited free parking on Ocean Boulevard, metered parking

Coronado Beach has a lot to offer. It’s one of the nicest beaches on this list – plus, it’s located on an island. Coronado is a wonderful place for sunbathing, swimming, and catching breathtaking sunsets.

Coronado Beach is also home to the famous Hotel Del Coronado, renowned for its prime beachfront location, stunning architecture, and cinematic history.  Kick back and relax at the hotel, or hit the beach to soak up all the sunshine.

📚 Related Reading: San Diego is easily one of the best places in SoCal for beach lovers! Make sure to bookmark our guide to the best things to do in San Diego for deets on other activities to add to your itinerary.

Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid parking lots and garages, residential parking

Hermosa Beach is one of LA County’s more casual beaches with more than 90 acres of shoreline. Bike along the path called The Strand, start a game of beach volleyball, or walk down the Hermosa Beach Pier for sweeping ocean views.

After a day at the beach, downtown Hermosa Beach awaits with restaurants, boutiques, bars, and nightlife. Between taverns, pubs, and even a saloon, you’re bound to have an entertaining night here.

Crystal Cove State Park

Newport Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid parking lot ($5 per hour, $15 maximum)

Crystal Cove State Park is home to beautiful beaches, backcountry hiking trails, campsites, and an underwater park. The beach here is popular for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and just hanging out.

The underwater park covers more than 1,000 acres and is filled with kelp forests. So this is the perfect place to scope out the local marine life! Or, if you’d rather stay on land, you can hit the trails either along the beach or in the backcountry area of the park.

Zuma Beach

Malibu

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: paid parking lot ($8-$20 per day)

Zuma Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in California. Zuma is located in Malibu and it’s a popular spot for bodysurfing, swimming, and general beachgoing. This beach’s long stretch of sand and clear blue waters make it popular among locals and visitors alike.

You’ll be happy to know that there’s plenty of parking here. Even at its most crowded, you should be able to access the beach!

Doheny State Beach

Dana Point

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: parking lot (hourly: $3 per hour, day use: $15)

Have you ever gotten the Beach Boys hit “Surfin USA” stuck in your head? If so, you’ve probably heard of Doheny State Beach. This beach in Dana Point is a popular surf spot and a great place to start learning how to surf.

The shore is a bit rocky, so consider bringing sandals or booties if you’re going to hang out at Doheny. The beach is close to restaurants, bars, and a marina in Dana Point, so you can make a day of it while you’re there.

Bolsa Chica State Beach

Huntington Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website

Bolsa Chica State Beach is an incredibly versatile beach. It has sandy shores, blue waves, and nature galore. Here, you can surf, swim, sunbathe, surf fish, or relax around one of the fire pits on the sand after the sun sets.

You can even stay overnight in an RV if you can’t get enough of Bolsa Chica in one day (and who could blame you?!). The community of Sunset Beach is nearby, where you can pick up food and browse shops.

👉 Pro Tip: Just across the Pacific Coast Highway from the beach, you’ll find a beautiful ecological preserve full of nature trails and wildlife. Walk among wildflowers, spot some birds and lizards, and even a coyote if you’re lucky!

Descanso Beach

Avalon, Catalina Island

📍 Google Maps | Website

Check out Descanso Beach on Catalina Island for a luxurious beach experience that makes you feel like you’re on a tropical island. The water is crystal clear, and you can rent snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and kayaks on-site.

Settle down in a lounge chair or cabana and order a drink from Descanso Beach Club if it’s relaxation you’re after – hanging out here is one of the top things to do on Catalina. During the summer, the beach club hosts parties on Saturdays, so you can boogie down at the beach.

Thousand Steps Beach

Laguna Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: residential parking, metered street parking

Don’t worry – there are actually only 218 steps that lead down to Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna. This beach tends to be less crowded than others, as there isn’t as much parking and, of course, all the stairs.

Thousand Steps Beach is a hot spot for body surfing, kayaking, swimming, and even skimboarding. And if you visit at low tide, you can check out the beach’s sea cave and tide pools.

East Beach

Santa Barbara

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: limited free street parking

East Beach in Santa Barbara is a vast stretch of sandy shoreline nestled between the ocean and a grassy park. The beach has volleyball courts, a paved path, picnic tables, and a playground, so it’s perfect for families.

East Beach is within walking distance of Stearns Wharf and the downtown Santa Barbara area. You can chill at the beach or head into town for fresh seafood, wine tasting, and live musical performances.

Newport Beach

Newport Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: parking lots, metered street parking

Newport Beach is a popular beach that offers visitors sandy shores, boat trips, and a laid-back and fun atmosphere. Newport Beach has ten miles of sandy coastline for locals and visitors to enjoy, including surf spots like The Wedge.

Check out the Newport Beach Pier and Balboa Island, where you can find local eats and browse shops. O, head out to sea by booking a fishing trip or whale-watching tour. Both are some of the top things to do in Newport Beach, perfect for those who love nautical adventures.

San Onofre Beach

San Clemente

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: parking lot, rates vary

San Onofre Beach is an outdoor lover’s paradise. It’s the perfect place for fishing, kayaking, swimming, cycling, camping – and especially surfing. Nearby Trestles is a popular California surf spot.

Spend a few nights at San Onofre’s blufftop campsites, which are just a short walk from the beach below. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins, as they’re a common sight off the coast here.

Victoria Beach

Laguna Beach

📍 Google Maps | Website | Parking: limited street parking

Head to Victoria Beach in Laguna if you’re looking for a beach that’s a little different. This secluded white sand beach is home to a castle-like tower right on the ocean, locally called the “Pirate Tower.”

Victoria Beach is a hidden gem with a private feel and loads of natural beauty. Whether you come to explore the tide pools in its rocky areas, lay out on the sand, or snap a photo with the tower, you won’t leave disappointed. 

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I hope this guide has helped you plan your exploration of Southern California’s iconic beaches. Want to explore further? Check out this epic list of the best things to do in California next!