Leo Carrillo State Beach, named after the actor and conservationist, encompasses 1.5 miles of scenic coastline at the northwestern edge of Los Angeles County. The beach is notable for its sea caves, reefs, and tide pools that can be explored during low tide, revealing a fascinating array of marine life. North Beach allows dogs on […]
California Beaches
California’s 840-mile Pacific coastline spans dramatic northern redwood bluffs and rocky tide pools, Central Coast kelp forests and state beaches, and wide Southern California sandbar surf breaks from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Because cold California Current waters range from 50 F to 56 F in Northern and Central California and 58 F to 70 F in Southern California, most surfers and open-water swimmers rely on a 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit for much of the year. State beaches operated by California State Parks typically charge day-use vehicle entry fees ($10 to $20 per day depending on region and season) or accept the California Explorer Annual Pass, while city and county beaches in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties use metered lots. Always check seasonal lifeguards, summer ‘blackball’ hours that separate surfboard zones from body-surfing and swim zones, county environmental health water quality advisories after rainstorms, and strict dog rules before heading to the shore. Use the directory filters below to explore California beaches by coastal activity, from beginner longboard surf breaks in San Diego, Orange County, and Santa Cruz to rocky low-tide marine gardens along the Sonoma, Mendocino, and Monterey coastlines. Before departing, check nearest NOAA tide prediction stations for minus-tide windows, review county beach water quality dashboards (such as Heal the Bay or California Water Boards Safe to Swim), and confirm whether your state beach accepts the California Explorer pass or uses local ParkMobile kiosks.
San Gregorio State Beach
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 […]
Thousand Steps Beach
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 […]