MUST-VISIT
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BEACHES
From the southern tip of the state to famous Malibu shores, Southern California has some of the best beaches in the USA. Maybe it’s because of the soft sand and mild waves or year-round sunshine and warm temperatures. Below you can find a list of the best beaches in Southern California, perfect for spending your next holiday or vacation. Most of these beaches are particularly family friendly!
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LAGUNA BEACH Though it may be a smaller beach situated between rocky cliffs, Laguna Beach off Main Street is always bustling with activity. Visitors can park along Pacific Coast Highway, stroll amongst the shopping village, and make their way to the shore. First thing you will notice when you visit this Californian beach is the recreation area next to the shore that includes a shaded playground, basketball & volleyball courts, and a real wood boardwalk. Of course, there is plenty of sandy beach for spending the day playing in the water. In addition, a short walk north will lead you to a rocky area for climbing and exploring tide pools. Laguna Beach is also known for its artist culture, so if you have time, visit some of the galleries adjacent the beach that sell works like paintings and sculptures by local artists. Also worth visiting in Laguna Beach is Crescent Bay, Thousand Steps Beach, Pearl Street Beach and Heisler Park.
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CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK is a large beach with over three miles of waterfront. This park, which is located between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, has several different access points. At the center of the park shoreline is the Crystal Cove Historic District where there is a restaurant and bar, The Beachcomber Café and Bootlegger Bar. Behind the beach there are refurbished old cottages that the state parks department rents out to the public. Reservations are required and it can take a year to get one. At low tide, there are tidepools to discover. There are paved pathways on the bluff above the beaches that allow visitors to walk from beach to beach. Inland this park has an extensive network of hiking and mountain biking trails that lead to vista points.
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HUNTINGTON BEACH The flat, wide beaches and desirable surf breaks along Huntington Beach gave this town its “Surf City, USA” nickname in the 1950s when the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing first took place. Today, Huntington remains a wave-riding mecca and the most popular of the well-known in the country—but surfing is not the only game in town. Near the famous 1,850-foot Huntington Beach Pier, you’ll see volleyball players spiking on the sand (the AVP Huntington Beach Open is held here) and runners, cyclists, and skateboarders taking advantage of the flat, paved 10-mile ocean strand. Wander to Main Street to find the latest in beach apparel or if hipster-chic boutiques and a gourmet food court are more your style, head to oceanfront shopping hub Pacific City, which opened in 2016. In addition, for those that want to make an entire day of their visit, this Californian beach has dozens of public use firepits at Bolsa Chica State Park.
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SEAL BEACH is definitely one of the best beaches in Southern California for families. Named one of the "Friendliest towns in the U.S." by Forbes, Seal Beach has a welcoming and relaxing small-town vibe. There are paid parking lots near the sand and limited parking on neighborhood streets. The north side of the pier is perfect for younger kids with its docile waves to play in with a nearby playground. You will want to enjoy walking along the pier and exploring the many shops on Main Street. Since shopping and restaurants are so close, it’s easy to grab lunch or treats and make it an entire day’s visit.
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CORONADO BEACH in Southern San Diego has long been called one of the most picturesque beaches in the United States. Although the sparking golden sand (thanks to the mineral mica) and the famous Hotel Del Coronado make it seem luxurious, Coronado is a perfect beach for a lazy day of relaxing by the ocean. Situated along Ocean boulevard, there is ample parking and large grassy areas to picnic on. One of the great features of Coronado beach happens during low tide when it reveals its amazing tide pools where you can explore the local marine life. In winter months at low tide, you may even get to see the shipwrecked SS Monte Carlo.
OCEAN BEACH has a unique T-shaped pier that is the longest in California, Ocean Beach is an excellent spot for being able to check out the coast of San Diego. Walking to the ends of this Southern Californian beach gives you a breathtaking view of the cityscape. The OB pier is one of the few in California that allows you to fish without a license. For safety, the beach area is sectioned off by swimming-only and surfing-only areas. There is also an off-lease area for pet owners to let their dogs run and play in the waves. Like many San Diego beaches, Ocean Beach has a large tide pool area that is exposed at low tide. When visiting, you may get lucky enough to attend one of the many festivals that are held throughout the year.
LA JOLLA in Northern San Diego has several unique beach areas to choose from when visiting. However, La Jolla Shores is probably the most popular for those looking to enjoy the sun and frolic in the water for the day. The long stretch of sandy beach has plenty of room for both swimmers and those utilizing the kayak launch. This beautiful beach in Southern California is situated just in front of Kellogg park which has a large grassy area and playground that faces the water. The beach and park are separated by a boardwalk that allows beach goers to stroll or ride their bikes while enjoying the coastline. Definitely one of the top Californian beaches
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VENICE BEACH has always been best known for its lively boardwalk of shops, street vendors, and performance art. Also known as “Muscle Beach”, Venice has a unique outdoor workout gym that is world famous and a concrete skate park. While most people come here to shop and walk around as spectators to the hustle and bustle around them, locals can be seen sunbathing and surfing. In fact, Venice is a great place for taking lessons for the beginning surfer because of the small yet consistent waves that roll in. Out of this list of beaches in Southern California, Venice Beach is probably the least family friendly, because it can be a little chaotic and crowded at times, but still this famous Californian beach is well worth a visit.
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MALIBU touts several amazing beaches, but none are as majestic as Leo Carrillo State Beach. This beach is an explorer’s paradise. Before going it's best to go at low tide to get the most out of your trip.The amazing rock formations on the cliff side create many caves and tide pools to explore. Then travel north up the beach where you can hike the several trials on the hillside. Because of the steep hills and rocks, it isn’t the best beach to visit if you have younger children, however for families with older kids it is a beautiful place to spend the day.
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SANTA MONICA is near the heart of Los Angeles. Unlike long walking piers, this one is home to an amusement park with a rollercoaster, carnival games, and a ferris wheel that lights up the night sky. There is also a small aquarium where you can learn about native California marine life through hands-on exhibits. Of course, there is expansive sandy coastline for beach goers to enjoy as well as the Marvin Braude bike trail that spans 22 miles of Los Angeles county beaches.
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These are the best beaches in Southern California. Whether you are looking to relax at the shore, try a beach activity like surfing, or wanting to shop and dine with ocean views; Southern California has several amazing and beautiful beaches for you to visit.
For more travel tips and family friendly vacation spots, visit MUMSLITTLEEXPLORERS
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