12 Must-Visit Beach Towns in California, According to a Local

Fort Bragg has a population of less than 7,000 but boasts numerous attractions from famous Glass Beach with its colorful sea glass to the historic Skunk Train that will bring you through the redwoods. A wide variety of outdoor adventures are possible, including sea kayaking, with guided tours and rentals available for independent excursions. One of my favorite things to do is to visit MacKerricher State Park. Just a few miles north of town, it has a boardwalk leading to the beach and tide pools filled with colorful starfish and all sorts of other sea creatures. Plus, there are almost always seals hanging out on the rocks.

Back in town, you’ll find plenty of local shops to explore along with outstanding eateries. Noyo Harbor is a top spot for waterfront dining with lots of fresh fish on the menu. Brew lovers won’t want to miss North Coast Brewing Company right downtown, offering a menu of classic pub grub that can be enjoyed with an array of barrel-aged beers and reserves. Frequent live music is hosted here too.

While it may be one of those places that if you blink you’ll miss it, but that’s probably because the scenery along the coastal side is so stunning. Overlooking the Pacific in Mendocino County, 26 miles south of Fort Bragg or a three-hour drive north from San Francisco, it has a population of only around 275 but it’s home to a two-Michelin-starred eatery, housed in the Harbor House Inn. Art lovers will enjoy the Artists’ Collective with works by local artists and if you want to put together a picnic, The Elk Store offers a fantastic deli. I highly recommend checking out the Matson Merchantile too, with all sorts of unique, locally made items.

Within a short drive, you’ll find multiple wineries for tasting but the main reason to visit is the beach and outdoor activities. Take a walk along beautiful Greenwood State Beach just across from The Elk Store. Accessed via a short trail, you can watch for migrating whales, explore the coastal tide pools and take advantage of the many photo ops. You’ll find a wide range of hiking trails in the area and if you want to get out on the water, there are canoes, kayaks and SUPs available for rent. I like to paddle in the Big River Estuary State Marine Conservation Area nearby. Naturalist-led tours can also bring you along the lower part of the river where you’ll often see harbor seals, otters and great blue herons.

A tiny village less than 70 miles north of San Francisco, most people know Bodega Bay from Alfred Hitchcock’s famous film, “The Birds” despite it being filmed over six decades ago in 1961. It’s one that will leave an impression you’re unlikely to forget, but don’t worry, birds aren’t attacking residents or visitors. In fact, it’s a top stop for enjoying blissful relaxation. There are miles and miles of beautiful sands, including Bodega Head, the longest beach along the Sonoma County coast, complete with massive dunes. Doran Park Beach is quite the stretch too, spanning two miles. It’s popular for building sandcastles, flying kites, surfing, picnicking and peaceful strolls.

The Links at Bodega Harbor, an authentic Scottish-style course, is a popular place to golf providing extraordinary vistas of the Pacific and seaside marshes. If you’re in need of pampering, The Lodge at Bodega Bay is renowned for its spa while multiple restaurants serve fresh-caught seafood that can be paired with sublime regional wines.

Half Moon Bay was one of my family’s top destinations for a weekend trip. Only about 30 miles south of San Francisco, it offers several miles of wide, sandy beaches for swimming, bodyboarding, surfing, fishing, sunbathing and more. Camping is available at Half Moon Bay State Beach and there are outfitters for horseback riding too. The pedestrianized, bike-friendly path that runs along the buffs offers magnificent views of the beaches and ocean, as well as being a great vantage point for whale watching.

The seaside town itself boasts a thriving art community with many galleries to explore and you’ll find a wide range of boutiques for shopping. I highly recommend stopping by the Half Moon Bay Bakery with fresh bread made in its original 1929 brick ovens. For a cold brew, head to the Half Moon Bay Brewery, and for fresh seafood, you’ll have a wealth of choices from Barbara’s Fishtrap to Sam’s Chowderhouse and eateries at Pillar Point Harbor. This is also the departure point for fishing charters, various tours and watercraft rentals like canoes and SUPs.

Living just a few miles from Santa Cruz for many years, I’ve also spent lots of time in this popular beach town. While it gets crowded during the summer months with so many things to do, it’s worth enduring. Or, visit anytime from mid-September through mid-May to avoid the busiest time of year. This is one of the country’s hottest spots for surfing—even if you aren’t into the sport, it’s fun to watch the experts ride the big waves from the three-mile paved trail along the cliffs. One of the top attractions is the Santa Cruz Beach & Boardwalk, home to the Giant Dipper, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the U.S. around for over a century. There are rides for everyone here, including the little ones along with carnival-type games and a massive arcade. On Friday nights in the summer, free live concerts are hosted right on the beach too.

In the downtown area, you’ll find lots of fun places to shop like the open-air Pacific Garden Mall where a variety of buskers often perform. Other highlights include the wharf where sea lions can always be seen hanging on and around the rafters below, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center across from the Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, housed in the lighthouse at Lighthouse Point.

Nestled along the Central California coast, approximately a two-hour drive south of San Francisco, Monterey is a quintessential beach town with miles of beautiful sands, an array of activities on water and land, the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, shops, art galleries and a wealth of eateries. It was also the state’s first capital, boasting a rich history with multiple landmarks. The Monterey State Historic Park is the oldest part of town, jam-packed with heritage buildings and adobe cottages, some of which date to the mid-1800s. The Larkin House was built in 1835 and is said to be the very first two-story home ever built in California.

This area is also a whale-watching mecca, with numerous tour options for heading out into the bay and beyond from Old Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s possible to see everything from orcas and humpbacks to gray whales and all types of dolphins. Cannery Row, made famous by the 1945 John Steinbeck novel, is the heart of the in-town action frequently offering farmer’s markets and food festivals while being a hub for dining and nightlife.

Just south of Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea is incredibly picturesque, known for its idyllic white sandy beaches, vibrant art scene and whimsical storybook cottages inspired by the illustrations in the brothers Grimms’ fairytales and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In this charming seaside hamlet, you can not only spend the day at the beach but also browse the many art galleries that display works from internationally renowned and local artists. There are many upscale boutiques, wine-tasting rooms and a historic site, the Carmel Mission Basilica. When it’s time to dine, for something celebration-worthy, you’ll find two Michelin-starred restaurants: Chez Noir and Aubergine. But with over 60 eateries, there’s something for everyone.

Some of the highlights to explore nearby include Point Lobos State Natural Reserve with scenic hiking trails, outstanding wildlife watching and opportunities for swimming. World-famous 17 Mile Drive can be easily accessed from here too, winding through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, showcasing breathtaking views along the way.

Morro Bay is another great beach town for whale watching tours but it offers a whole lot more. Its symbol is Morro Rock, a massive volcanic plug used as a mariners’ navigational aid for centuries. It’s since been designated a bird sanctuary for peregrine falcons and other birds, but what attracts many are the numerous sea otters that can be seen nearby, right along the promenade. It’s one of the best places in the state to see them up close, feeding, napping and playing. The beach boasts six miles of continuous sands for strolling and more, while the bay provides the opportunity to paddle through the calm waters of the protected sanctuary.

You’ll find many locally owned shops with unique items along with thrift and antique stores with hidden treasures. The restaurants tend to focus on sea-to-table fare featuring the local daily catch, many showcasing ocean views. If camping appeals, the Morro Bay State Park Campground is an ideal spot, within walking distance of the marina.

Technically, Venice is a beachside neighborhood in sprawling L.A. but it has the feel of a small town with a unique and eclectic vibe. It’s most famous for Venice Beach, one of the most iconic in Southern California. It’s popular for sunbathing, people-watching, swimming and beach volleyball while the over two-mile-long Venice Beach Boardwalk stretches along the sand. It’s jam-packed with shops, food stands and restaurants, street vendors and an assortment of street performers creating a colorful, lively atmosphere. Everything from the usual singers and musicians to acrobats and even fire-breathers can be seen entertaining here.

There’s lots of fantastic street art throughout Venice and the blocks east of the beach on and around Abbot Kinney Boulevard house all sorts of art galleries, trendy boutiques and eateries. Those looking to fill their Instagram feeds will find plenty of outstanding photo-ops from the beach to the streets.

Laguna Beach is known for its seven-mile span of coastal cliffs, coves and postcard-perfect sands that have been attracting visitors for well over a century. Main Beach is the largest and the star attraction, popular with everyone from sunbathers to surfers. Main Beach Park lies adjacent and there are 20,000 acres of land for hiking and biking. If you want to watch migrating whales, Crescent Bay Point Park is the go-to spot as well as being ideal for sunset watching.

You’ll find many shops throughout the town, including the charming shopping district while the Laguna Art Museum showcases some of California’s top artists with a permanent collection of more than 3,000 works. When you’ve worked up an appetite, dining venues include everything from

Located between L.A. and San Diego, Dana Point isn’t well-known but it’s a sailing paradise, attracting many to cruise its craggy coast while the expansive beaches are perfect for long strolls, boogie boarding, windsurfing and parasailing. The highlight here may be the whale watching as it’s been called the Whale Watching Capital of the World with everything from humpback, blue and grey whales to orcas and many other dolphin species. From the Dana Point Harbor, you can charter a yacht, take sailing lessons, rent a sailboat, SUP, kayak, jet ski and more. There are many cafes and restaurants with harbor views too.

Dana Point is also a surfing hub with beaches for everyone from beginners to pros, with lessons available at multiple beaches, including Doheny State Beach. Strands Beach is popular for exploring tide pools and Baby Beach is ideal for families with little ones who can safely splash around.

Coronado is a resort town and island in San Diego Bay, renowned for its beaches that sparkle in the sun with mica in the sand that’s powdery soft. At night, you might even see the fluorescent blue glow of bioluminescence in the surf. Coronado Beach stretches for almost two miles, popular for swimming, sunset watching and roasting marshmallows on the firepits. If you want to explore you can catch the Old Town Trolley for a hop-on, hop-off tour, join an electric bike tour, or bring your own bicycle to pedal while taking in the spectacular views. Kayaking, paddleboarding and a wealth of other watersports are possible too.

Shoppers will find more than 50 venues to choose from, including bookstores and clothing boutiques, while dining options range from casual coffee shops to upscale restaurants with impressive wine lists.