Southern California Beach Guide
Where to Find the Best Beaches in Southern California
When you think of Southern California, you think of sunshine and 800 miles of coastline which is home to some of the best beaches in the country, if not the entire world! Whether you're looking for a day of surfing, some fun in the sun building sandcastles with family and friends, or a romantic hidden beach getaway with that someone special, you have a wide range of stunning beaches with crashing waves and easy-going vibes.
Here’s your ultimate guide to some of great places to dive in the water and soak up the vibes across beautiful, warm SoCal.
Santa Monica Pier and Beach
The classic California beach day experience. Perhaps the most iconic and best-known SoCal beach is located in Santa Monica. This one has it all, the beautiful shoreline with plenty of area to relax and enjoy a warm sunny day with friends and family, paved pathways for biking or roller-skating, and shops and restaurants galore!
The Santa Monica pier is a must-see attraction either day or night with its ferris wheel, rollercoaster, and gaming arcade, providing hours of fun.
As you may expect from an iconic beachside destination, Santa Monica beach and pier can both get crowded, particularly on the weekends. So claim your spot early in the morning or visit on a weekday to beat the crowds.
Zuma Beach and El Matador Beach
Looking for a quiet beach getaway that offers romantic sunsets and breathtaking views? The luxurious coastline of Malibu has two locations to choose from when you want scenic beauty and long stretches of sandy paradise without the crowds, Zuma Beach and El Matador Beach are two great choices.
Zuma Beach is best for family fun time and soaking up the sun while El Matador is a hidden gem better suited for romantic walks and secluded relaxation among dramatic sea caves and rugged coastline.
Both beach spots are popular with surfers as this stretch of Malibu is known for its waves.
Parking can be a challenge at El Matador as spaces are limited. You might want to find a spot to park on the Pacific Coast Highway and walk to the beach if you want to avoid the hassle of driving in circles over and over.
Manhattan Beach
Surfing, sunbathing, and sports. With a bunch of volleyball courts at the ready and great waves that get surfers out on the water early, Manhattan Beach offers a wide array of opportunities to work on your tan when the sun is out, maybe play a game of volleyball before hitting up some of the exclusive cafes and restaurants just steps away from the shore.
This is one of the more popular beaches in the South Bay due to the shopping and dining that surrounds it, so you may need a few extra minutes to find street parking. But if you’d rather not go through all that hassle, ridesharing or public transit are better options for beachside fun without the headache.
Hermosa Beach
Just south of Manhattan Beach is Hermosa Beach, the quintessential beach town that doesn’t have the flash or panache of Manhattan Beach but maintains its own relaxed, laid-back vibe. The kind of place that has a lot of “Locals Only” bars but is welcoming of newcomers with a friendly atmosphere that is comfortable and familiar.
The beach itself also offers surf-friendly waves and lots of volleyball courts with ample real estate for setting up a few chairs, laying down a towel, and getting a nice even tan. The Hermosa Beach Pier is a short walk away and it can get lively when the sun goes down but not nearly as crowded as Santa Monica Pier.
Laguna Beach
One of the most diverse and exciting beaches in Orange County, Laguna Beach offers a little bit of everything, both in and out of the water. Do you like to swim and snorkel? Great, you can do both in Laguna Beach. Are you the type who likes to explore hidden coves and go tide pooling? You can do that here, too! How about sightseeing and visiting art galleries? Guess what, that’s all here in Laguna Beach.
The main beach is easy to access from any part of the area but if you want to lie back and relax on the sand without the loud, overbearing crowds, Thousand Steps Beach is more your speed. Be sure to check the times for high tide and low tide to give yourself enough opportunity to explore the cliffside coves and experience the beauty and charm of Laguna Beach.
Coronado Beach
Opposite of downtown San Diego across the bay is Coronado Beach. This is a family-friendly beach that allows for you and your loved ones to have a luxurious day in the sun without the congestion and crowds that other popular beaches may be known for instead.
Surfers who are still learning how to ride the waves will come to Coronado Beach to practice and hone their skills because the surf is gentle and less gnarly than other beach areas along the California coast. Soft sand is another hallmark of Coronado Beach, making it more comfortable and appealing to lie back and work on your tan.
The Hotel del Coronado is an historic landmark that draws guests of all ages from around the country, eager to hang out at a lovely beach in luxurious comfort. Stunning views, especially at sunset, are one of the many reasons to take long walks on the sand with gorgeous weather most of the year.
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach earned its nickname of “Surf City USA” as the center of surf culture, hosting the U.S. Open of Surfing and it’s the site of a Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum. If you love to surf, this is the beach for you with consistent surf breaks and year round swells. You can also walk out on to the Huntington Beach Pier, extending 1,850 feet into the Pacific Ocean with shops, restaurants, and you can even bring a rod and a reel to go fishing.
As for the beach itself, it’s very wide and has a lot of exposed area that gets plenty of direct sunlight. So bring your sunscreen, a hat, and a beach umbrella if you plan to spend the day out there. Dog lovers can also bring their four-legged best friends along to enjoy the day with them.
La Jolla Shores
Last but not least is a beautiful beach for all you budding marine biologists who love to explore beneath the ocean surface. This wonderful San Diego destination boasts a protected marine reserve with gorgeous clear water where you can go snorkeling to view leopard sharks, Garibaldi fish, and a sea lion or two! Kayak through sea caves or if you’d rather look upon the sea life while on dry land, the Birch Aquarium is a popular destination for getting up close and personal with marine life.
A mile of sandy beach offers plenty of area to swim, relax, and catch some rays with playgrounds and picnic areas nearby.
Let Us Be the Valet for Your Beach Day
No matter which of these beaches you choose to enjoy for some rest and relaxation, let Beach Day Valet make it a day to remember with our beach gear rental and delivery services. We are your personal beach rental equipment source that delivers everything you need without the hassle of lugging all those chairs, beach toys, and umbrellas.
Just click here to check out our selection of beach gear equipment, tell us what you want, where to deliver it, and when you need it and we’ll have it all ready for you when you and your family and friends hit the sand.
Dragging all of that gear is no day at the beach, so let us be your valet for a spectacular beach day.
