Find Your Ideal Beach in California
Whether you want to bodysurf, soak up some rays (with UV protection, of course) or dive in an underwater forest, California has a beach for you. Are the kids bored? Head to Santa Monica's amusement park. Need a place to dock your yacht? That's Newport Beach. Join a drum circle in Venice, swim in Laguna's sparkling blue water or chow down in the "Clam Capital of the World." Our list of the best California beaches will help you find the perfect place to go.
If you're into swimming and body surfing, check out Zuma Beach, where the golden sands stretch for almost two miles. The water is usually colder than other beaches in the LA area, and the waves can be rough, so you'll need a wet suit. Zuma is also popular for surfboarding and windsurfing. Lifeguards keep daylight hours most of the year but beware of dangerous riptides. In the winter, watch for migrating gray whales. Zuma is about 10 miles north of Santa Monica and has facilities like public restrooms, showers and snack bars.