When you think of the beaches of California, The Beach Boys music, surfers, volleyball and rollerblading come to mind. California Beaches all have their unique personality and features. The coastline is very long and can be enjoyed at any time of the year with its natural beauty. Driving along the coast of California you will find the views change dramatically from north to south. Some of the beaches listed below are well-known but others are a little away from the crowds and totally idyllic. Either way you will enjoy them all.
Natural Bridges State Park
Located right in Between Half Moon Bay and Monterey, beach-loving tourists will find Natural Bridges State Park. Right in Santa Cruz, his park and beach is a great spot to see birds, migrating whales, seals and otters. Along the beach, tide pools give you a glimpse of life beneath the sea. During low tide you may see shore crabs, sea stars, and other colorful life. Stop at the Visitors Center to pick up a guide of what you may see in the tide pools.
Monarch Grove
The park’s Monarch Grove is home for thousands of Monarchs, making it a great stop for your endangered wildlife species vacation. The mild seaside climate and eucalyptus grove provide an ideal place for them to stay until spring. Late October and all of November is often the best time to go observe the Monarchs.
Watch the surfing action, especially when the waves are high. It is also a good spot to watch the sunset. Call (831) 423-4609 for hours and special events being held on the dates you plan on going.
Half Moon Bay
The drive from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay is stunning, and it compares to the Big Sur area as one of the most beautiful stretches of oceanfront highway in California. Take Highway 1 North for 47 miles to get there.
There are plenty of incredible beaches to visit in Half Moon Bay. For a start, check out Venice, Francis, Roosevelt, and Dune Beach. With so many options, this is a favorite destination for beach-lovers. Simultaneously, its miles of stunning oceanfront walkways make it an excellent stop for hikers and runners.
Poplar Beach
Poplar Beach is a great spot for animal lovers. After all, the park is dog-friendly and known for horseback riding. If you are interested in partaking, check out Sea Horse Ranch, which helps riders navigate the Coastal Equestrian Trail. From here, you can experience spectacular ocean views, scenic bluffs, and more. The Early Bird Special is a 2-Hour Trail & Beach Ride offered at 8:00am for $ 60. It is $ 100 at any other point in the day. Seahorseranch.org
Pillar Point Harbor
In the nearby community of Princeton-by-the-Sea, the picturesque Pillar Point Harbor has fishing boats and an old wooden pier. This harbor is also the departure point for whale watching, as well as fishing charter boats.
Huli Cat will take you whale watching for 3 hours $ 65. Humpback Whales can be seen April-Nov and Gray Whales Jan-Mar. hulicat.com
Several waterfront restaurants offer fabulous views and fresh seafood. You can’t go wrong with Barbara’s Fishtrap with beachside tables overlooking the harbor at 281 Capistrano Road, and Sam’s Chowder House at 4210 N. Cabrillo Highway.
Then, stop by the famous Pillar Point Harbor. This amazing beach spot overlooks the towering waves of Mavericks Beach, which often reach height of thirty feet. Notable surfers from all over the world travel to this sport to catch these incredible waves.
Keep in mind that the parking lot will quickly fill up whenever big waves are predicted. Simultaneously, eager tourists will cover the bluffs to watch some great surfing action. Be sure to bring some binoculars along with you. After all, some of the best waves are often up to two miles out. To access, follow a simple trail that stretches for a half-mile to the beach. You can always take the Pillar Point Bluff Trail too. This follows the coastal ridge, where better wave views are possible. Certainly, this is one of the best off the beaten path beach towns to visit in California.
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach is southwest of Los Angeles and is in-between Manhattan and Redondo beaches. It has almost 2 miles of ocean beach. There is excellent surf, good swimming areas, and volleyball nets along the sand. Volleyball tournaments and surf festivals take place throughout the year.
Enjoy the Strand there by stopping by Hermosa Cyclery. You can rent bikes, skates and beach gear just steps from one of the most spectacular bicycle paths in the world. Enjoy a ride along the beach and no reservation is needed. hermosacyclery.com
Right in town there are 10 murals in the area that you can see that represent the history and culture of the city of Hermosa Beach. hermosamurals.org The Hermosa Beach Historical Society may start offering mural tours in 2022.
Stop at Jeffers in town to rent bicycles or beach chairs for the day. $ 20 bicycle and $ 6 for beach chairs.
Here is a good tip for your day here. Once you have a parking spot, don’t give it up. The locals walk or bike everywhere. Move your car only when you’re ready to head home.
Stick around in the evening and go to the Comedy & Magic Club. They have been part of the Hermosa Beach community since 1978 and they are known for hosting Jay Leno weekly. Jay is a friend of the club, not an owner, and loves to perform in front of a small, intimate audience.
Just a quick walk from the beach is Grandview Inn. Here, you will find everything you need just a short walk away. For example, tourists generally love the local restaurants, nightclubs, and salons. Even better, this location is just 7 miles from LAX. Starts at $ 179/night for 2 adults.
Crystal Cove State Park
Right off the Pacific Coast Highway, be sure to stop at Crystal Cove State Park. Located right between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar, this spot is essential to stop by on your PCH itinerary.
Start at Moro Beach. Walk through the short tunnel to get to this beach. Very popular with body boarders, paddle boarders, fisherman, and kayakers.
Reef Point has beach access using the very short trail that travels north right down to the beach. A stairway takes you into Scotchman’s Cove and, to the south, a ramp down to Muddy Creek. That is a great body surfing spot.
Pelican Point has a 1 mile multi-use trail paralleling the coast line that offers a view of the coastal bluff and wildlife.
The beachcomber Cafe’ is a unique beach cottage where you can enjoy California cuisine with a spectacular oceanside view. It is right on the beach and we recommend breakfast or lunch. Dinner is pricey. thebeachcombercafe.com
Prismo Beach
Much further north on the Central Coast, stop by Prismo Beach. Here, you will experience a totally different feel and ambiance compared to SoCal beaches.
This is a great spot if you are looking to see some bright Monarch Butterflies. These amazing creatures flock here annually between October and February. For butterfly viewing, check out the grove, right off of Highway 1 in South Prismo Beach. Keep in mind that the Monarchs that visit Prismo are unlike any other species. In fact, they live for nearly half-a-year, whereas traditional Monarch butterflies only live for four to six weeks.
The Natural History Museum In Morro Bay is an excellent resource for information about Monarchs. The panoramic waterfront view from the museum is amazing! There are daily talks at 11am and 2pm. For more information call 805-773-5301.
Before leaving Prismo, be sure to check out some massive clams. After all, the Prismo Clam is one of the biggest on the California Coast. This makes this under-the-radar beach town the perfect location for clamming, which is permitted here all year. To get started, grab a clam fork, bucket, caliper, and head over to Grand Avenue.
Before any clams can be taken, they need to measure at least 4.5 inches in diameter. Also, you will need a saltwater fishing license. If you just want a day pass, you can purchase one for less than $10. Even with this, you will still be limited to ten clams a day for each person. To avoid getting sick, do not eat any clams from shells that are closed.
The Pismo Beach Pier juts out into the Pacific from the center of Pismo Beach giving visitors a nice view of the beach. It is best known for fishing and surfing. You can fly a kite or watch seagulls.
Then, walk out to the pier and admire the spectacular hills and ocean. Afterwards, walk under the pier where you can experience the waves up close and personal. On the northern side of the beach, experience the spectacular Wilmar Stairs. There are spectacular ocean views from here. Use the wooden stairway to access the beach. The Pier is just a short walk away along the beach.
If you plan on staying overnight, The Inn at the Cove is oceanfront with a cliff top setting. There is a heated pool and access to Elmer Ross Beach for swimming. Rates in the off-season are $160 which includes breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking. Kontiki Inn is another option. Rooms are all oceanfront. Nightly rates Sun thru Thurs for up to two people are $130, off season.
As you see, there are beaches in California for all activities. Try to experience them in all parts of the state. The best part is that all the views are free! Once you have made your way through the top hidden towns in California, you are ready to begin seeing the best secret Caribbean islands without a cruise ship.
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