Pelican State Beach holds the distinction of being California’s northernmost state beach, located just south of the Oregon border. This remote, undeveloped beach offers a wild, pristine coastline experience with minimal facilities and often few visitors. The beach features dramatic views of offshore sea stacks and the Oregon coast stretching northward. Birds including brown pelicans, […]
La Piedra State Beach is part of Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, comprising three “pocket beaches” along the Malibu coast. Accessed via a steep trail from the Pacific Coast Highway, this secluded beach rewards visitors with dramatic scenery featuring massive rock formations and clear waters. The beach’s relative isolation means it’s typically less crowded […]
Solana Beach features several cove-like beaches nestled beneath scenic sandstone bluffs north of San Diego. Fletcher Cove Beach Park, the main access point, includes a grassy park area atop the bluff with a playground and picnic facilities, plus a gradually sloping ramp down to the beach. Tide Beach Park to the north offers excellent tide […]
The Big Sur coastline features several spectacular beaches set against dramatic cliffs where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. Pfeiffer Beach is known for its purple-tinted sand and the iconic Keyhole Rock that frames the sunset. Garrapata State Beach offers two miles of pristine shoreline with wildflowers in spring and sea otter sightings […]
Victoria Beach is a hidden gem in Laguna Beach, accessible via a steep staircase between residential properties. The beach is famous for its 60-foot medieval-looking “La Tour” (also called the Pirate Tower), a stone tower built in 1926 as a private staircase for the owner of the cliffside home above. This photogenic structure against the […]
Swami’s Beach is a legendary surf spot named for the Self-Realization Fellowship hermitage and gardens situated on the bluff above. Made famous in the Beach Boys’ song “Surfin’ USA,” this beach features a consistent right-hand point break that attracts skilled surfers from around the world. Access to the beach is via a staircase from the […]
Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur is famous for its striking purple sand and the massive Keyhole Rock arch that frames the sunset in perfect alignment during certain times of the year. The beach’s unique color comes from manganese garnet deposits washed down from the hillsides. Surrounded by rugged cliffs and cypress trees, this secluded beach […]
Carmel Beach is a pristine, white-sand crescent situated at the foot of Ocean Avenue in the charming village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Known for its cypress-lined backdrop and the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links visible to the north, this dog-friendly beach allows canine companions to run off-leash. The beach offers excellent surfing conditions and permits beach fires […]
El Matador State Beach is one of Malibu’s most dramatically beautiful beaches, characterized by its towering bluffs, massive rock formations, and sea caves. Access requires navigating a steep staircase from the parking area above, but the descent rewards visitors with breathtaking coastal scenery. The beach’s distinctive sea stacks, arches, and caves make it a favorite […]