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. […]
California Beaches
Marina State Beach
Marina State Beach features dramatic sand dunes and a wide, pristine shoreline on Monterey Bay. The beach is renowned as one of California’s top hang gliding and paragliding locations, with a designated launch area atop the dunes providing perfect conditions for flight with consistent winds and panoramic coastal views. A boardwalk trail crosses the fragile […]
Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Strand State Beach extends over three miles along California’s central coast, offering spectacular views of Morro Rock, a 576-foot volcanic plug that is the most distinctive landmark in the area. This long, straight beach features fine sand and gentle sloping terrain, making it ideal for extended beach walks and jogging. The protected waters of […]
Carlsbad State Beach
Carlsbad State Beach, also known as Tamarack Beach, stretches along a scenic 4-mile coastline in North San Diego County. This narrow, bluff-backed beach offers good swimming conditions with seasonal lifeguard service and excellent surf breaks for all skill levels. The Carlsbad Seawall, a paved walkway running alongside the beach, provides a popular route for walkers, […]
Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach combines a wide sandy shoreline with an active harbor and pier area, creating a diverse coastal experience. The beach itself offers swimming areas protected by breakwaters and a jetty, with separate zones for surfing. The landmark Redondo Beach Pier has a distinctive horseshoe shape housing restaurants, shops, and an interactive marine education center. […]
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 […]
Avila Beach
Avila Beach is a sheltered cove protected by the surrounding hills and Point San Luis, creating warmer water temperatures and calmer conditions than many Central Coast beaches. The south-facing beach spans about a half-mile along a rebuilt, pedestrian-friendly downtown with restaurants and shops fronting the sand. Avila’s 1,685-foot pier offers fishing without a license and […]
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Half Moon Bay State Beach encompasses four distinct beach areas (Francis, Venice, Dunes, and Roosevelt beaches) along a scenic stretch of the San Mateo coast. This wide, sandy beach extends for nearly three miles, backed by gentle bluffs and the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail that connects the beaches and offers stunning ocean views. The […]
Sand Dollar Beach
Sand Dollar Beach is the largest sandy beach along the rugged Big Sur coastline, forming a crescent of golden sand beneath dramatic cliffs. Part of the Los Padres National Forest, this beach is named for the sand dollars occasionally found along the shore. A developed day-use area provides picnic tables, restrooms, and a stairway leading […]
Santa Cruz Main Beach
Santa Cruz Main Beach, also known as Boardwalk Beach, is the lively heart of Santa Cruz’s coastline, fronting the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park with its vintage wooden roller coaster and other rides. This wide, sandy beach offers gentle waves perfect for swimming and beginner surfing, while the adjacent San Lorenzo River mouth […]