North Beach is part of Sonoma Coast State Park, offering a vast, windswept shoreline characterized by its wide sandy beach and dramatic backdrop of coastal bluffs. The beach is particularly known for its excellent beachcombing opportunities, with interesting driftwood, shells, and occasionally Japanese glass floats washing ashore. Adjacent to the beach is the North Beach […]
California Beaches
Limantour Beach
Limantour Beach stretches along a narrow spit of land separating Drakes Bay from an estuary within Point Reyes National Seashore. This long, pristine beach offers more sheltered conditions than many Northern California beaches, making swimming possible during calmer days. The beach’s dual-sided nature, with the protected estuary on one side and the open ocean on […]
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 […]
Cayucos Beach
Cayucos Beach is the centerpiece of a charming Central Coast town that has maintained its laid-back, vintage California atmosphere. The beach is anchored by the historic wooden Cayucos Pier, originally built in 1872 and recently restored, which provides fishing opportunities and panoramic views of Estero Bay with Morro Rock visible to the south. The beach […]
Fort Funston Beach
Fort Funston features dramatic 200-foot high sandy bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean on San Francisco’s southwest coast, offering one of the premier hang gliding locations in the country where colorful gliders soar above the shoreline. The beach below is accessed via a somewhat steep sand ladder and is known as one of the most dog-friendly […]
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 […]
Alamitos Beach
Alamitos Beach stretches along Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, offering a wide sandy shoreline protected by a breakwater that creates calm swimming conditions. The beach features numerous volleyball courts where casual players and organized leagues compete year-round. A wide beachfront path, part of the 3.1-mile Long Beach Shoreline Bike Path, accommodates cyclists, joggers, and skaters […]
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 […]
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 […]
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Bolsa Chica State Beach stretches for three miles along Pacific Coast Highway, offering a wide, flat sandy shoreline with excellent facilities. The beach features fire rings for evening bonfires, a rare amenity on California beaches, making it a popular gathering spot after sunset. A paved multi-use path runs the length of the beach, connecting to […]