Southern California's Best Beaches

What’s more iconic and quintessentially Southern Californian than an amazing day spent on the beach? Whether you are a surfer looking for a great swell, a hiker looking for that secluded spot, or a beach bum looking for a white sandy shore to lounge on, this round up has you covered. Be sure to explore the featured adventures below for a complete list of Southern California beaches.

Malibu Lagoon: This spot is known for great surfing as well as a really interesting history. It features a long pier, a picnic area, and a large wetland area.
Black’s Beach: If you like to climb down challenging terrain with a surfboard on your back, this place is definitely the one to check out. This particular path is just shy of a mile long and descends 308 feet.
Cornado Beach: Whether you come for swimming, surfing, beach volleyball, or taking advantage of the numerous fire pits distributed across the beach, you will love lounging around at this popular spot in San Diego.
Cabrillo: This popular national monument overlooks downtown San Diego and the San Diego Bay. It commemorates the first European settler to come this way.
Swami’s Beach: This legendary surf spot is where it’s at if you are looking for winter swells that are out of this world. It can get quite crowded thanks to it’s fame.
El Capitan: El Capitan, or “El Cap," is the first of the three state park/campgrounds when driving from Santa Barbara. You can chill out here all day and night to soak in the sunny Southern California vibes.
Avalon Beach: This Santa Catalina Island beach is a family friendly hangout with opportunities for whale watching, surfing, fishing, swimming, and more.
Ocean Beach: This San Diego hot spot is another iconic SoCal beach that is known for it's relaxed atmosphere, stunning pier, and amazing sunsets.
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park: This is a great spot for explorers. Take in the well-maintained trail system, prolific tide pools, and sweeping views at this really interesting L.A. park.
El Matador State Beach: Enjoy interesting and unusual scenery at this L.A. area beach in the form of unique rock formations, sea caves, and stunning sunsets.