The Los Angeles area has some of the finest wide sandy beaches in all of Southern California. The majority of these popular strands are on Santa Monica Bay. This nearly continuous sandy shoreline spans the gap between the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the Eastern Malibu Coast below the Santa Monica Mountains. These beaches are in […]
Fishing has always been a big coastal activity in California, long before surfing became popular in the 1960’s. During the second half of the 1800’s and in the early 1900’s many long fishing piers were installed at beaches up and down the California coastline and on San Francisco Bay. Some were installed for access to […]
All beaches in California are public up to the mean high tide line, but there are many you can’t get to due to private land or other restrictions. Several are visible from above and are absolutely gorgeous beaches. Others are truly hidden and not visible from a nearby road or the bluff above them. The […]
Santa Catalina Island is unique in many ways, but especially when it comes to land ownership. Most of the island is owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy, a non-profit that was created to protect the land and make it available for public use. Some of the land (including several beaches) has been handed over to […]
Point Reyes National Seashore in western Marin County has over 30 named beaches. With that many beaches it’s hard to decide where to go. Some of the beaches are only accessible with a boat or kayak on Tomales Bay. Others are a long hike away from a visitor center or trailhead. We have highlighted the […]
Southern California is known for many things, but consistent sunshine (think Endless Summer) and reliable surf breaks stand out above the rest. Surfing is a rite of passage for kids who grow up in Socal. Those who visit the beaches of Southern California need to know where to take their boards to. We wanted to […]
The best bike route in the Los Angeles area is “The Strand,” which is officially named the Marvin Braude Bike Trail and follows the shores of Santa Monica Bay. This famous paved bike path starts at Torrance Beach in the South Bay area and heads north all the way to Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific […]
San Francisco is known for many world-class attractions around the city, but the incredible beaches here often get overlooked by tourists. It’s a shame because San Francisco has some of the best beaches in all of California. Some are near the downtown area and others are on the city’s western waterfront facing the Pacific Ocean. More […]
Here’s a map of all the beaches in Golden Gate National Recreation Area. There are 26 of them around the San Francisco area. Some are south of the Golden Gate Bridge including beaches in Pacifica and Daly City, and some are north of the bridge in Marin County. The city of San Francisco has Golden […]
Sand dunes are diverse natural habitats that can be sources of endless fun whether it is hiking or just playing around. California has dunes all along its Pacific Ocean shoreline so no matter where you are traveling you’ll find one to discover. These sand dunes can be organized into two different categories. The first is […]
Here’s a map of the best tide pools at Southern California beaches. From Point Loma in San Diego to Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu there are many areas where tide pools are concentrated. Check tide tables and then wait for low tide which is the best time for tidepool exploration. Below is a list of […]
California has more theme parks and amusement parks than any other state in the union. If you are traveling in Southern California or in the San Francisco Bay Area, chances are there’s a park near you. Several of the amusement parks have adjacent waterparks if you or your kids want to get wet when it’s […]
Big Sur might be the most beautiful coastline in the entire country. When many people think of the California Coast they have visions of driving down the highway in the Big Sur Region of Monterey County with mountains on one side and a stunning rugged shoreline on the other. Picturesque high bridges such as the Bixby Bridge […]
Mission Bay Park in San Diego is the largest man-made aquatic park in the USA. The park is made up of many points jutting out into the bay, numerous coves, and two islands. There are sandy beaches scattered about this irregular shoreline and with protection from the ocean waves, this is a safe place for […]
California is home to hundreds of shipwrecks that occurred over the years from the broad sandy beaches of Southern California to the rugged rocky coastline of Northern California. Some of the wreckages can still be seen in the sand and the surf. Here is a map of the shipwrecks that are still visible and the […]
The best way to see the beaches of La Jolla is to walk the shoreline of this upscale village. Part of this shoreline walk is officially called the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail, but few people walk the entire shore. It’s a fun sandy trek that the entire family will enjoy, but bring sunblock as […]
California has quite a few private beaches. All of them are immediately in front of private property, many of which are gated communities. Monarch Bay Beach in Dana Point is just a short walk from Salt Creek Beach If a beach has no access except crossing private property, it is considered inaccessible. Those are the […]
California has hot springs scattered about the state, but if you are traveling the California Coast then your options are limited. The central coast between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area has a bunch to choose from, but they are quite diverse. See the map above and the descriptions below. Few of these […]
California has 21 historic Spanish missions from San Diego to Sonoma in the northern San Francisco Bay Area. Most were built during the late 1700’s, with the two northernmost being completed in the early 1800’s. These stunning sacred structures are the state’s oldest buildings. All of these California missions are now state historic monuments that […]
Half Moon Bay State Beach is one long sandy continuous beach below bluffs and dunes in the town of Half Moon Bay, California. Within the boundaries of this state park there are four separate named entrances and parking areas. North to south this includes Roosevelt Beach, Dunes Beach, Venice Beach, and Francis Beach. Each of […]
