Bean Hollow State Beach features unique geological formations along its shoreline, including honeycomb-patterned rocks created by salt weathering and erosion that are a distinctive characteristic of this beach. The park consists of two separate beach areas connected by a mile-long trail that winds along blufftops with panoramic coastal views. The northern section is sandy and […]
Beaches for Tide Pools
Muir Beach
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 […]
Trinidad State Beach
Trinidad State Beach is situated on a protected cove beneath forested bluffs in a picturesque fishing village along California’s northern coast. The beach is accessed via Trinidad Head, a massive rock formation that juts into the Pacific and provides hiking trails with spectacular viewpoints overlooking the beach and harbor. Offshore sea stacks create a dramatic […]
Malibu Beach RV Park
Malibu Beach RV Park offers the unique opportunity to camp overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the heart of Malibu. While not a beach itself, this elevated park sits atop a bluff with panoramic ocean views and provides easy access to multiple beaches within walking distance. The adjacent Dan Blocker Beach offers a small, uncrowded shoreline […]
Sonoma Coast State Beach
Sonoma Coast State Beach encompasses multiple beach areas along a breathtaking 17-mile stretch of rugged coastline. This dramatic shoreline features towering bluffs, sea stacks, rocky coves, and sandy beaches accessible via numerous parking areas and trails along Highway 1. Beaches such as Schoolhouse, Portuguese, and Salmon Creek offer distinct characteristics from expansive sandy shores to […]
Glass Beach
Glass Beach in Fort Bragg is famous for its abundance of sea glass created from years of dumping household garbage at the site until 1967, when the practice was stopped and cleanup efforts began. Natural wave action over decades transformed discarded glass into smooth, colorful pebbles that cover the beach in place of sand. The […]
Windansea Beach
Windansea Beach is a historic surfing location in La Jolla, characterized by its unique rock formations that create distinctive wave breaks prized by skilled surfers. The beach is relatively small with limited sand area at high tide, framed by sandstone cliffs that add to its picturesque setting. A legendary palm-covered surf shack, built in 1946 […]
Gerstle Cove
Gerstle Cove is part of Salt Point State Park on the rugged Sonoma Coast, featuring a small, protected cove that has been designated as a marine reserve where all marine life is protected. The cove offers some of Northern California’s best tidepooling opportunities during low tide, with abundant sea stars, anemones, and other intertidal creatures […]
Pomponio State Beach
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 […]
China Beach
China Beach is a small, sheltered cove nestled between Lands End and Baker Beach in San Francisco’s Sea Cliff neighborhood. Named for the Chinese fishermen who once camped here, this pocket beach offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands in a more protected setting than other nearby beaches. A paved parking […]