Pomponio State Beach is a wide, sandy beach situated in a valley along Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero. The beach sits at the mouth of Pomponio Creek, which forms a small lagoon that attracts shorebirds and creates a protected area for wading. Sandy cliffs and coastal scrub vegetation frame the beach, providing […]
Cayucos State Beach wraps around a protective cove on California’s Central Coast, offering a gentle beach experience with typically calm waters suitable for swimming. The beach is anchored by the historic 982-foot Cayucos Pier, originally built in 1872 and recently renovated, providing fishing opportunities and expansive views of Estero Bay and Morro Rock in the […]
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 […]
San Gregorio State Beach features a wide, flat sandy beach backed by impressive sandstone cliffs along Highway 1 south of Half Moon Bay. The beach sits at the mouth of San Gregorio Creek, which forms a lagoon that attracts numerous bird species. During low tide, visitors can explore small caves and rock formations at the […]
Refugio State Beach is distinguished by its crescent-shaped cove lined with palm trees, creating an almost tropical atmosphere on the Central California coast. The relatively shallow, protected waters make this beach particularly good for swimming and beginning kayakers, with rental equipment available seasonally. Visitors can explore the coastal ecosystem via the Refugio Beach to El […]
Thousand Steps Beach is named for the long, steep staircase (actually 218 steps) that leads from street level down to this secluded Laguna Beach cove. The effort required to access this beach means it’s often less crowded than other area beaches, especially on weekdays. At the southern end, visitors can explore sea caves during low […]
Black’s Beach stretches along the base of 300-foot cliffs below Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, creating one of San Diego’s most isolated and dramatic shorelines. The challenging access—via steep trails from street level—helps maintain the beach’s uncrowded nature despite its reputation for excellent surfing conditions. The northern section of Black’s Beach is unofficially clothing-optional, being […]
Coronado Central Beach, fronting the iconic Hotel del Coronado with its distinctive red turrets, is famous for its sparkling sand that contains the mineral mica, creating a shimmering effect in sunlight. This wide, flat beach stretches for 1.5 miles along the resort peninsula and consistently ranks among America’s top beaches for its clean water, excellent […]
Point Dume State Beach features a headland with towering bluffs that extend into the Pacific, creating a magnificent promontory visible from much of the Malibu coast. A trail leads to the top of the point, offering panoramic views of the Santa Monica Bay, Santa Monica Mountains, and even Catalina Island on clear days. The beach […]
Coronado Beach is a wide, flat beach with distinctive sparkling sand due to the mineral mica that gives it a silvery sheen. The beach stretches 1.5 miles along the peninsula and is backed by the iconic red turrets of the historic Hotel del Coronado. Known for its gentle waves and clean, family-friendly environment, Coronado Beach […]