Rodeo Beach is a unique pebbly beach located in the Marin Headlands section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, just north of San Francisco. Unlike most sandy beaches, Rodeo Beach is composed of colorful, polished pebbles including jasper, carnelian, black agate, and jade, making it a favorite for rock collectors. The beach sits at […]
Beaches for Bird Watching
Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach encompasses a scenic one-mile strip of rocky shoreline and dune habitat on the Monterey Peninsula. A paved coastal trail runs parallel to the beach, offering stunning views of the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area offshore. The beach is characterized by rocky outcroppings, tide pools, and small sandy coves rather […]
Carpinteria State Beach
Carpinteria State Beach is known as one of the safest beaches in California with its gentle slope, calm waters, and south-facing orientation that protects it from strong currents. This mile-long beach features extensive tide pools at its southern end where visitors can observe sea stars, octopi, and anemones at low tide. The beach also contains […]
Torrey Pines State Beach
Torrey Pines State Beach sits beneath towering cliffs at the edge of a protected natural reserve named for the rare Torrey pine trees that grow only here and on Santa Rosa Island. The beach features golden sands and diverse coastal terrain, with hiking trails leading from the bluffs down to the shore and offering spectacular […]
Aransas Pass Beach
Aransas Pass offers beach access through several small pocket beaches along the Redfish Bay shoreline. The area is primarily known for exceptional fishing opportunities, both from shore and via charters. The historic Aransas Pass Lighthouse, built in 1855, provides a scenic focal point and photography opportunity. The nearby Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail offers excellent kayaking […]
South Beach at San Jose Island
South Beach represents the southernmost accessible portion of San Jose Island, reached via a short jetty boat ride from Port Aransas. This uninhabited beach offers one of the most pristine natural experiences on the Texas coast with exceptional shelling opportunities and clear waters. The south end features the St. Jo Island Jetty, creating excellent fishing […]
Matagorda Peninsula Beach
Matagorda Peninsula Beach stretches for 23 miles on a thin barrier peninsula accessible only by boat or by driving onto the beach from Matagorda Bay Nature Park. The remote location and limited access create one of the least crowded beach experiences in Texas. The peninsula separates the Gulf from East Matagorda Bay, offering fishing opportunities […]
Rollover Pass Beach
Rollover Pass Beach surrounds the historic Rollover Pass, a man-made channel connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Galveston Bay on Bolivar Peninsula. The pass itself was filled in 2020 after decades as a famous fishing spot, but the beach areas remain popular. The beach features brilliant white sand and good shelling opportunities, particularly after storms. […]
McFaddin Beach
McFaddin Beach is part of the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, offering 15 miles of remote, undeveloped shoreline between High Island and Sea Rim State Park. The beach is known for unique prehistoric archaeological finds including Paleo-Indian artifacts and Ice Age fossils occasionally exposed by erosion and storms. The refuge protects one of the largest remaining […]
Packery Channel Beach
Packery Channel Beach surrounds a water passage connecting the Gulf of Mexico to the Laguna Madre between Padre Island and Mustang Island. The beach features jetties extending into the Gulf on both sides of the channel, creating prime fishing spots without needing a boat. The channel area attracts diverse marine life, making it excellent for […]