The best beach for a California beach vacation
Do you fancy a California beach vacation? Finding a perfect beach for a vacation in California is not that easy. The most beautiful beaches in California line up between Santa Barbara and San Diego along the Pacific coast from north to south. These are among the most beautiful beaches on the west coast of the USA.
Since the water off the California coast north of Santa Barbara is too cold to swim because of the cold ocean currents, our beach tour does not begin north of Santa Barbara with its East Beach. In the north you can see the Santa Ynez Mountains, in the south is Stearns Wharf with its yachts. Santa Barbara also has an average of nearly 300 days of sunshine. And those who come on Saturday can also browse through the offerings of almost 250 artists who are exhibiting their works at the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show.
Zuma Beach - a vacation in California at Malibu
Approaching Malibu on Hwy 101, you're on the lookout for a series of cars parked close to the Pacific Coast Highway. This indicates that you are approaching Zuma Beach. If you see an empty parking space here, take it. Or pay the parking fee for the large parking lot. On this beach you can also relax perfectly - just bring a towel, bathing suit and time, and spend the day on the beach. (Map)
What you should definitely pack for your California beach vacation:
- This beach equipment must be in your suitcase. You won't forget anything with our checklist.
- Bathing shoes * should not be missing on many beaches in California. Not all beaches are sandy. Some go “tide pooling”, which means they climb over rocks to tidal pools to collect shells or other things. You need non-slip shoes that can get wet.
- "It never rains in Southern California" - the Beach Boys were right with their song. Therefore a sun hat must definitely be in the suitcase for a beach holiday on California's beaches. This is particularly practical because it can be folded up and easily fits into a handbag or suitcase.
- Reading material for the beach holiday We've put together a list of easy holiday reading that's perfect for the beach.
California beach vacation at Los Angeles
Los Angeles beaches line up along the Pacific coast in the suburbs that stretch from Malibu to the far south, the perfect start for your road trip in California. However, the "Best Beaches in California" are not directly in the Los Angeles area. Due to the vastness of MegaCity Los Angeles, it is not always easy to reach these beaches. Therefore, these offers, which you can book through our partner Get your Guide, offer a practical solution. And of course there are also great activities on these beaches.
Malibu - California Vacation Tips for Beach Holidays
Venice Beach Hotels California - California Beach Vacation With High Life
Manhattan Beach - glamorous vacation in California
Cabrillo Beach - perfect for a California beach vacation with kids
Before San Pedro you can find Cabrillo Beach. Cabrillo Beach consists of two beaches. One is protected behind the breakwater. This beach is suitable for families with children. On the pier you can cast your fishing rod or just go to the end to get another view of the beach. In a park on the coast is the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.
The second beach is outside the breakwater and is exposed to the surf. This beach is a true paradise for those who enjoy tidepooling. What is Tidepooling? In the steep cliffs on this coast ponds are formed, in which sea animals are stranded at low tide. With a little luck, you will find starfish, sea anemones, crabs, mice and other animals that are otherwise comfortable in the water. When the next flood arrives, the animals will be washed back into the sea. It's fun to look around the tide pools for stranded sea creatures. You just have to be careful. Because the surf on this coast is unpredictable and wild. (Map)
California beach vacation at Huntington
Laguna Beach California USA - one of the most beautiful beaches in California
Laguna Beach is more natural. One of the most beautiful stretches of beach in this place is Heisler Park with its bougainvillea-lined paths and rocky outcrops that reach into the sea. (Map)
Enjoy a California beach vacation at San Diego
La Jolla Cove - one of the most beautiful beaches in California
You live in La Jolla if you belong to the affluent part of San Diego's population. But it is also a place for families with children who like to explore the sea caves, look for starfish in the tide pools, or climb the cliffs bordering the city center. (Map)
California beach vacation at San Diego
San Diego has a number of beautiful beaches that are worth a visit. One you should not miss is Coronado Beach in San Diego with its beach hotel, the Hotel Del Coronado. The charm that radiates from this five-star hotel also lends a special charm to the offshore Pacific beach. However, military planes fly over the beach at irregular intervals as they approach the nearby military base. Find San Diego Hotel Tips * under this link. Do you want to experience the beaches of San Diego with children * ? Via this link you will find hotels with family rooms near the beach. (Map)
More tips:
- On tour through California's cities
- 10 Viewpoints on the Golden Gate Bridge
- More travel tips for the west coast of North America
- Cape Cod offers beautiful sandy beaches for a beach holiday at USA's East Coast
- Discover the best sandy beaches here Provincetown, Cape Cod
- Miami in December
- You can collect shells on Sanibel Island, one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida
- Discover others Vacation destinations for a beach vacation here.
Travel Arrangements:
How to travel to your beach holiday California
United and other airlines fly to San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Car hire for your trip to the best beaches in California:
Cheap rental cars - book here! *
Are you looking for another beach hotel California?
Here you can do yours Beach Hotel California * search. Click on the map view. All Hotels in California * you can find via this link.
Travel Guides
Travel Guide for California * you can find on Amazon.de.
Find more Slow Travel Tips can be found under this link. Do you already know the most beautiful beaches in Canada? Or our article about one Zodiac tour of the Miami waters?
Source: own research on site. The article contains some affiliate links.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright see photo
The most beautiful beaches in California are between Santa Barbara and San Diego.
Here you can Book Venice Beach hotels *
Discover your Hotel San Diego Pacific Beach *
Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the publishers of the Trips to Savor and Slow Travel Blog TravelWorldOnline Traveler , They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline is online since 2001.
Their topics are
Trips to Savor
Wine Tourism and Drinks worldwide and
Slow Travel Tips
Monika Fuchs has been working in tourism since 1990. She has been a tour guide on four continents for 17 years and has accompanied high-class trips through North and Central America, Australia, southern Africa and Europe. Since 2001 she has been a writer and photographer for TravelWorldOnline and writes as a freelance journalist for DIE ZEIT Online and travel magazines such as 360 ° Medien, TRIVAGO, Expedia, travador, etc. She also writes travel guides about destinations and enjoyment destinations all over the world. Your guide about Canada's east was released in 2020. Petar Fuchs produced the videos on this blog as well YouTube.
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Mojo
Stunning photos! So far I have had a slightly different picture of LA in LA. Since you can also do very good beach vacation without much public traffic.
Monika & Petar Fuchs
Of course, LA is also a mega-city. But she is also by the sea. That's a big part of their attraction. The beaches here in the article, however, are not all to find in the immediate area of Los Angeles. They stretch from Malibu to San Diego, where the water is the warmest.
Nicole from PASSENGER X
Oh wow, that looks all gorgeous! Since I would like to start directly a pure Beach Road Trip!
Monika & Petar Fuchs
Hello nicole,
that would be a good idea. The beaches in Southern California are worth a trip alone.
Best regards,
Monika
Shadowlight
This is a true dream!
Greetings!
Monika & Petar Fuchs
I can only confirm that, dear Jenny. From Santa Barbara to the south, California is a true beach paradise.
Best regards,
Monika