There is a beach in California. The state's 840 miles of shoreline give it its "golden" nickname.
You can find family fun in La Jolla, gaze upon world-class surfers in Huntington Beach, mingle with eccentrics in Venice Beach, and find yourself on the Lost Coast Trail.
Explore the planet's most surprising adventures with our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.If you are visiting California for the first time, chances are you will see one of the state's many beautiful beaches, thanks to state law. To help you start your visit, here are ten of the best beaches in California.
It's the best for spotting wildlife.
California's Central Coast has more than 100 named beaches, ranging from hidden coves to long stretches of sunny sand with arcades and amusements.
Seacliff State Beach is located in the northern part of Monterey Bay. It is a regular hangout and jogging spot. The remains of a freighter built of concrete used to be a fishing pier, but now it is a breeding ground for white sharks.
Monterey Bay has an abundance of sea life above and below the water. It is one of the richest natural habitats on the California coast. Some of its wildlife can be seen just standing on the shore. Stick to the ground if you see a white object.
The modern wet suit was invented here on the Central Coast in the 1950s because of the warm weather. Monterey has a chart-topping aquarium if it's too cold for you.
It's the best beach for walking and taking pictures.
The rocky Big sur coast is a mystical place. Find hidden waterfalls and hot springs, and watch for California condors. Pfeiffer Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in California and is known for its huge double-rock formation.
It's purple in the sand. The minerals wash down from the mountains. The surf is too dangerous for swimming, but it is a great spot for a walk.
There is a local tip about not rushing. Due to weather, forest fires, and even falling rocks, traffic is slow on Highway 1. There are many diversions that lure you to stop.
The best beach for people watching.
The promenade near the pier is one of the best on the beach. It gets packed with surfers, volleyball players, swimmers and families.
Pro surfers are putting on a clinic and you can get a taco. You can rent a board if you want. There is a place to learn how to surf.
If you want to build a bonfire or have a barbecue on a holiday weekend, be sure to stake out one of the thousand cement fire rings early in the day.
The best beach for selfies.
The spot where swimsuit-model photo shoots take place is known as El Matador. You can park on the bluffs above and walk down a trail to reach sandstone rock towers.
Sunbathers make the most of one of California's warm beaches by bodysurfing in the tides and watching for dolphins.
If you want to see the views on the short hike to Point Dume, you have to take the detour. It is worth waiting half an hour for a parking spot.
It's the best beach for hiking.
Sonoma Coast State Park is a chain of wave-washed sandy pockets separated by rocky headlands. Some beaches are hidden in coves and others are large. Hiking trails that wind along the bluffs connect most of the beaches.
The views are amazing, with mini islands, inlets and shifting tides. Water, food, and a cell phone are all needed for an excellent day-long adventure in this area.
Bring sundowner cocktails and a picnic, or visit River's End at the mouth of the Russian River to see the area's glorious sunset.
The best beach for naked people.
You can escape San Francisco's buzz at mile-long Baker Beach, fronting the Pacific with picture- perfect Golden Gate Bridge views. You can see the bridge and the Marin headlands from the western shore of the Presidio.
It is perfect for picnicking and can crowd up on weekends. Nude sunbathing can be done at its northern end. The families are in the south.
It's the best beach for hiking.
The Lost Coast contains volcanic beaches of black sand and ethereal mist, as well as majestic Roosevelt elk.
Within 3 miles of the coast, the King Range is 4,000 feet high. The coast was lost in the mid-20th century because of the state's highways.
You can see the Lost Coast by hiking. The weather is nice in autumn. Gray whales migrate from December to April. The warmest months are June to September but days are foggy and the weather can change quickly.
Take a detour to travel through the area. The best time to get a bear canister is weeks in advance at recreation.gov.
It's the best beach for surfing.
You can learn to surf at San Diego's renowned Ocean Beach or Pacific Beach, but the best waves for beginners and longboarders can be found at Tourmaline Beach. The beach has a chill vibe in San Diego.
If you can catch a few waves on a small day, you will be good to go. The locals can get territorial over the waves near Black's Beach up to the north, but at Tourmaline the vibe is always mellow. Enjoy the beach and showers. Bird Rock has quiet tide pools that you can go to if you prefer beach combing.
You can get some of the best Mexican food in town up on the bluff at Oscar's, where you can try a variety of dishes.
It's the best beach for sunsets and solo travelers.
There is a grand array of quiet coves, blue-blue waves and seaside parks. There are 30 public beaches along 7 miles of coastline. You can always find a hidden cove just around the bend.
You can take a stairway to the beach from the Pacific Coast Highway even if you can't see the coves from the street. Look for the beach access signs and be prepared to walk through people's backyards to get to the beach.
The local Festival of Arts takes place in July and August and features art shows and demos by 140 artists. The festival ends with a reenactment of famous paintings.
You can scuba, go tide-pooling, fish, kayak and surf along the undeveloped shoreline at Crystal Cove, which is nearby.
It's the best beach for beaches at high altitudes.
If you only look at the ocean shores, you'll forget about the inland wonders. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are California's favorite high-altitude escape in the summer.
Pope Beach, Kiva Beach and Baldwin Beach are some of the best beaches in South Lake Tahoe. With its sandy mile-long shoreline, Zephyr Cove is always busy. In Emerald Bay State Park, there are jagged coastlines and granite cliffs carved into the glacier. The only island on the lake is just offshore.
The article was first published about a year ago.
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