Grayland Beach State Park offers 7,449 feet of ocean frontage on the Pacific Ocean south of Westport. The beach is known for its excellent razor clam digging during designated seasons. The 412-acre park includes 4 miles of flat, sandy beach that permits vehicle access in certain areas. The steady winds make it ideal for kite […]
Dash Point State Park offers 3,301 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound. The beach is famous for skimboarding, with its flat sandy terrain and gentle slope perfect for this sport. The park encompasses 461 acres with forested hiking and biking trails in addition to beach activities. At low tide, the beach extends far out, […]
Pescadero State Beach encompasses a mile-long shoreline with sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, tide pools, and adjacent marsh natural preserve. The beach is divided into several sections by rock outcroppings, with the northern areas featuring sandy shores perfect for walking and beachcombing, while the southern section offers fascinating tide pools during low tide. Across Highway 1, […]
Muir Beach is a small, crescent-shaped cove nestled between hillsides within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Recent extensive habitat restoration has transformed the area, with a new parking lot, accessible boardwalk, and restored wetland and dune areas that have improved both visitor experience and ecological health. The beach is the endpoint of several hiking […]
Goat Rock Beach is part of the Sonoma Coast State Park, featuring a sand beach nestled between the Russian River and the massive Goat Rock sea stack that gives the beach its name. The beach is known for its colony of harbor seals that frequently haul out near the river mouth, particularly during pupping season […]
Limantour Beach stretches along a narrow spit of land separating Drakes Bay from an estuary within Point Reyes National Seashore. This long, pristine beach offers more sheltered conditions than many Northern California beaches, making swimming possible during calmer days. The beach’s dual-sided nature, with the protected estuary on one side and the open ocean on […]
North Beach is part of Sonoma Coast State Park, offering a vast, windswept shoreline characterized by its wide sandy beach and dramatic backdrop of coastal bluffs. The beach is particularly known for its excellent beachcombing opportunities, with interesting driftwood, shells, and occasionally Japanese glass floats washing ashore. Adjacent to the beach is the North Beach […]
China Cove is a small, emerald-green cove tucked within Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, often described as “the crown jewel of the California State Park system.” This picturesque cove is characterized by its intensely colored water, dramatic rock formations, and small pebble beach that is occasionally accessible by stairs when conditions permit. A harbor seal […]
Cambria’s Moonstone Beach is named for the smooth, polished stones that wash up along its shore, including moonstones, jade, and jasper that beachcombers search for among the pebbles. A scenic one-mile boardwalk runs parallel to this narrow beach, offering easy accessible viewing of the coastline while protecting the fragile bluff ecosystem. The beach features fascinating […]
Jalama Beach County Park offers a remote beach experience at the end of a 14-mile winding road through ranchland and oak-studded hills. This isolation has preserved the natural beauty and uncrowded atmosphere of the beach, making it a favorite for those seeking to escape more developed coastal areas. The beach features consistent winds that attract […]