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The 26 Best Beaches in California (By a Local)

Updated December 17, 2024
McKenna Mobley
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View of a boardwalk and city lights on a beach

Head’s Up: You’re reading an archived post. This means we are not actively updating this article, but we still think it has value. See our Archive Policy for more info. You can't visit the West Coast and not explore California's sunny beaches -- they're practically synonymous with the state. These beaches are home to some of the best surf breaks in the U.S., colorful tidepools, jaw-dropping scenery, and coveted campgrounds. I grew up only an hour from some of the most famous Southern California beaches and I've since explored beaches all along the coastline. In this article, I’ll spill the beans on the best (and my favorite) beaches across the state.

26 Best California Beaches San Clemente State Beach My favorite beach has a cliffside camp...

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McKenna Mobley is an avid adventurer, traveler, mountaineer, and writer from Southern California. Her goal is to climb some of the world's highest mountains and visit as many countries as she can. She loves Latin America and has been to almost every Latin country. She also has a thirst for solo adventuring and has hiked 400 consecutive miles by herself through the Arizona desert. She is the author of Budget Travel 101, Your Practical Handbook for Exploring the World on the Cheap.