San Onofre State Beach encompasses 3,000 acres of coastal land across several distinct areas. Trestles Beach at the northern end is a world-famous surfing location featuring multiple breaks from the challenging Lower Trestles to Cottons and Church. “San O” or Old Man’s at the southern end offers gentler waves popular with longboarders and maintains a […]
California Beaches
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 […]
Butterfly Beach
Butterfly Beach sits in front of the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in upscale Montecito, offering a quiet alternative to Santa Barbara’s main beaches. Unlike most California beaches that face west, Butterfly Beach has a south-facing orientation that provides spectacular views of the Channel Islands and exceptional sunset vistas. The narrow sandy beach is backed […]
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 […]
Solana Beach
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 […]
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Malibu Lagoon State Beach encompasses Surfrider Beach, a legendary surfing location known for its perfect right-hand breaks and designated as the first World Surfing Reserve. Adjacent to the beach is the restored Malibu Lagoon, where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean, creating an important estuary that attracts over 200 species of birds. Walking trails and […]
La Piedra State Beach
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 […]
San Onofre State Beach
San Onofre State Beach encompasses several distinct areas spread over 3,000 acres of scenic coastline. Trestles Beach at the northern end features world-class surf breaks that host international competitions. The central section includes Old Man’s, a gentler break popular with longboarders and beginning surfers, embodying the beach’s laid-back surf culture dating back to the 1930s. […]
San Clemente State Beach
San Clemente State Beach sits beneath scenic bluffs in the “Spanish Village by the Sea,” offering a mile of sandy shoreline away from urban development. A campground atop the bluff provides overnight accommodations with ocean views, connected to the beach by a pedestrian underpass beneath the railroad tracks. The beach is popular for swimming and […]
Coronado Central Beach
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 […]