25 Best Beaches On The Central California Coast

25 Best Beaches On The Central California Coast:

1. El Matador State Beach

If you’re looking for an amazing beach to visit closer to LA, you can’t go wrong with El Matador State Beach in Malibu. Whether you’re seeking a spot to lay out, take photos for special events, or stop on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip, this beach has it all!

There is a paid beach parking lot off Highway 1 for visitors, which costs $3 per hour. From the lot, you can take a short path down to the beach.

You’ll be greeted by rugged bluffs with giant rock formations scattered along the shoreline. There are scenic stairs that you can take down to explore three separate beaches, sea caves, and rock arches up close.

In the evenings around sunset, El Matador State Beach is a popular location for photography, so be sure to stick around!

2. Oxnard State Beach Park

Unless you live in Ventura County, the chances are you’ve probably never heard of Oxnard before. This unassuming town is tucked away between Camarillo and Ventura, making it a wonderful beach destination for those who like to avoid busy places.

There are several beaches in Oxnard, but one that we like to visit the most is Oxnard State Beach Park. This is a family-friendly beach that rarely gets crowded. You can also explore the adjacent Oxnard Beach Park, which has picnic areas, sand dunes, and walking paths.

Visitor Tip: After spending the day on the beach, head over to the Sea Fresh Channel Islands restaurant to enjoy fresh seafood on an outdoor patio overlooking the harbor.

Read Next: 15 Wonderful Places To Stay In Oxnard, California

3. San Buenaventura State Beach

I currently live in Ventura County, so the San Buenaventura State Beach is a place that I visit very often.

Due to a frequent marine layer from the coast, Ventura tends to get a lot of gloomy days. But when the sun does come out to play, locals flock to the San Buenaventura State Beach to soak up the sunshine!

San Buenaventura State Beach is very family-friendly. This beach features a bike trail, walking paths, picnic tables, and even has a food truck, The Jolly Oyster Ventura, selling seafood right next to the ocean.

Along the bike trail, you can stop by the Ventura Pier or take the kids to play at the Ventura Promenade Beach Playground on the sandy shoreline.

Always wanted to learn how to surf? Ventura has some of the best surfing conditions on the California coast, making it a wonderful place to learn surfing for beginners. Check rates & availability for Ventura surfing lessons here!

4. Carpinteria Beach

Carpinteria is where I go when I want to get away from the crowds. This is one of the best locations in California with beachfront trails and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

For first-time visitors, I recommend hiking the Carpinteria Bluffs Trail, which travels next to the ocean. Along this trail, you’ll have several opportunities to walk down to the beach and dip your toes in the water.

The hike ends at Carpinteria State Beach, where you can enjoy picnicking and camping just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, be sure to stop by Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary, where you can see protected harbor seals from a viewpoint.

5. Arroyo Burro Beach County Park

Arroyo Burro Beach County Park is a hidden gem in the Santa Barbara region. This is one of the most dog-friendly beaches in California, where you can take your furry friends to run off-leash on the sandy shoreline.

The waters here are fairly calm, and it’s very easy to access the beach. You can park your car at the Arroyo Burro Beach parking lot and head directly to the waterfront.

This is a fairly wide beach, so there is plenty of space for all beachgoers to spread out. The location also has restrooms, water stations, and outdoor showers so you can clean off your sandy pup before getting back into the car.

Along with pristine beaches, Santa Barbara is known for having excellent wine. I recommend taking this Small Group Wine Tour on your trip that visits some of the best private family-owned wineries in Santa Barbara!

6. El Capitán State Beach

El Capitán State Beach is a wonderful place to visit for those who want to camp right next to the ocean. Although the campsites tend to get booked up fairly quickly, I have been lucky enough to snatch a spot at the El Capitán State Beach Campground in the summer season before. 

The campground is surrounded by fragrant eucalyptus trees, bushes, and lots of vegetation. The campsites feel pretty secluded, yet within a short walk, you can reach the scenic El Capitan Beach and a bike path.

7. Oceano Dunes

Oceano Dunes is a unique beach that’s unlike anywhere else in California. Here you can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, camping, fishing, and driving your car onto the shoreline.

Pismo Beach is the only place in California that allows you to drive your personal car onto the beach.

Many families come here to spend the day playing on the beach and stay to watch the sunset around a sand firepit.

Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area day use is from 7 a.m. to an hour past sunset with a small $5 entrance fee.

8. Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach is a popular vacation spot and getaway for Central Valley locals. Here you can lie in the sand, go on a walk along the Pismo Beach Pier, and snap a picture of the giant ‘Pismo Beach’ sign at the pier plaza.

There are plenty of facilities at this public beach, including fishing rentals, a kids’ playground, and volleyball courts, so everyone can have a great time! When hunger strikes, local popular seafood restaurants are situated just feet from the pier.

Some of my favorite eateries in Pismo Beach include Wooly’s for their pet-friendly outdoor patio, Splash Café, and Pismo Fish and Chips.

Read Next: 20 Top Things To Do On a Weekend Trip To Pismo Beach

9. Shell Beach

Shell Beach is a hidden little gem tucked away on the coast between Avila and Pismo Beach. This secluded part of the coastline offers picture-perfect scenery that is best experienced by hiking the Ontario Ridge to Shell Beach Bluff Trail.

The Ontario Ridge to Shell Beach Bluff loop is 3 miles long and offers views of pristine nature, sparkling turquoise ocean, and scenic beach coves. Along the hike, you will also pass a hidden swing hanging off an oak tree with the ocean as the background.

You can easily spend hours here exploring the scenery and then head to a nearby beach for some sunbathing.

10. Pirates Cove Beach

Pirates Cove Beach is a secluded beach that’s located near the Shell Beach Bluff Trail. This small beach has a strip of sandy shoreline tucked away between rocky bluffs.

Pirates Cove is a ‘clothing optional’ beach and a popular pick with nudists, so it may not be suitable for families with kids. After parking at the Pirate’s Cove Beach parking lot, it’s a short but steep walk down to the beach.

On your way, you can also stop by Smugglers Cave, which is a large cave with an opening looking out into the Pacific Ocean.

11. Avila Beach

Next up is Avila Beach, just a short distance north of Pirates Cove Beach. Avila Beach is a small beach community where the locals come to relax on sunny summer days.

This cozy beach town features a waterfront strip with boutique shops, a long sandy shoreline, and the Avila Beach Pier.

The water at Avila Beach is fairly calm, so you’ll see lots of families with kids playing in the water, dogs running around, and people learning how to surf in the gentle waves.

For overnight stays, I highly recommend the Flying Flags Avila Beach RV Resort, which has a direct view of the ocean.

12. Spooner’s Cove

Spooner’s Cove is a pristine natural beach tucked away in Montaña de Oro State Park just south of Los Osos and Morro Bay towns. This is one of my favorite areas for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and mountain biking away from busy crowds.

Surrounded by rugged sea cliffs and lots of greenery, this secluded spot feels like a hidden gem. Here you can also enjoy a peaceful camping getaway at Islay Creek Campground or head on a scenic hike along the Montaña de Oro Bluff Trail.

Visitor Tip: Wear proper footwear to explore tide pools and colorful pebbles along the shoreline.

13. Morro Rock Beach

Morro Bay is one of my favorite coastal towns for weekend getaways. Here you’ll find the iconic Morro Rock and the adjacent Morro Rock Beach.

Morro Rock is a towering volcanic plug that formed millions of years ago. While some of the best views of Morro Rock can be enjoyed from Black Hill Trail, you can also drive up to this giant rock and see it up close.

At Morro Rock Beach, you can walk along the shoreline, explore scenic sand dunes, go on hiking trails, or enjoy a picnic on the beach. Nearby, you can also observe adorable sea otters playing and nursing young pups at the Sea Otter Viewing Location.

If you enjoy camping, I recommend booking a campsite at the Morro Bay State Park Campground just a short distance south of Morro Rock Beach.

Read Next: 15 Wonderful Things To Do In Morro Bay, California

14. Morro Bay Dog Beach

Morro Bay Dog Beach is one of the top California beaches that allows dogs off-leash. Situated between Morro Bay and the quaint Cayucos town, here you’ll find a wide-open shoreline where four-legged friends can run around and swim in the water.

Due to frequent winds and gloomy coastal weather, Morro Bay Dog Beach is not the most ideal place for lying out. I like to stop here for a walk along the beach and to let my pup get his energy out while visiting Morro Bay or after hiking the Cass Hill Trail in Cayucos.

15. Cayucos State Beach

Near the quiet Cayucos town, you’ll find the beautiful shores of Cayucos Beach. Cayucos is a wonderful summer destination for Central California locals that is much quieter than Pismo Beach or Morro Bay.

The town has a few boutique hotels, inns, motels, and vacation rentals just steps from the beach. On sunny days you can even spot the Morro Rock far in the distance.

If you enjoy fishing, Cayucos Pier is an excellent spot for fishing and observing marine animals such as whales, dolphins, and sea lions.

Whether you plan to stay in town or visit Cayucos on a road trip, be sure to stop by the Hidden Kitchen restaurant for a delicious breakfast & lunch on a beachfront patio.

16. Moonstone Beach

Cambria is another quaint town along the Central Coast in California. Some of the most popular attractions in the area include Hearst San Simeon State Park, hiking at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, and visiting Moonstone Beach.

The best views of the Pacific Ocean can be seen from the mile-long Moonstone Beach Boardwalk that runs next to the ocean. You can also head down to the sandy beach to explore tide pools and spot colorful pebbles along the shoreline.

Read Next: 13 Incredible Things To Do In Cambria, California

17. William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach

William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach is one of the best beaches in California for outdoor enthusiasts.

This beach is the starting point for the stunning San Simeon Bay Trail. This hike travels along rugged ocean cliffs to a viewpoint where you can see elephant seals lounging on the shoreline.

Before heading out to this beach, be sure to get everything you may need for the day. There are not many facilities or stores nearby. The closest town is Cambria, 15 minutes south, if you need to get anything.

If you enjoy historic attractions, I highly recommend combining a trip to the unique Hearst Castle nearby. Hearst Castle Visitor Center offers daily tours of the Hearst Castle estate, where you can marvel at ornate architecture, artwork, elaborate rooms, stunning pools, and lush gardens.

Read Next: 18 Best Places To Stay In San Simeon, California

18. Piedras Blancas

Piedras Blancas is not a typical beach where you can lie out, but it’s worth a stop for those traveling along the California Coast. This is one of the best Highway 1 beaches for viewing wildlife and elephant seals.

Be sure to check out the Elephant Seal Vista Point, where you can see elephant seals lounging in the sand. These gentle giants are protected, so visitors are not allowed to go onto the sand. There are plenty of boardwalks and viewpoints set up along the bluffs where you can observe them from a safe distance.

19. Sand Dollar Beach

Set along a rugged coastline in Big Sur, Sand Dollar is one of the most beautiful beaches in California. Sand Dollar Beach is situated just off Highway 1 and features a long shoreline surrounded by jagged rock formations.

To reach the beach, park in the Sand Dollar Day Use Beach parking lot. It costs $10 to park in the lot, or you can try to find a free parking spot along Highway 1.

From there, a short trail will lead you to scenic stairs that you can take onto the sandy shoreline. This is a quiet beach that is often visited by locals and surfers.

20. McWay Beach

McWay Beach is a unique location along the coastline in Big Sur. McWay Falls is one of the only two beachfront waterfalls in California that flows down a cliff onto the beach. This is a very popular stop along a Highway 1 road trip and is fairly easy to visit.

Here, visitors are not allowed to go on the beach itself, but can observe the waterfall from a designated viewpoint on top of ocean bluffs.

After parking at the McWay Beach Parking Lot, head on a short walk to the overlook. Be sure to bring a camera or your phone to snap a few photos of this stunning beachfront waterfall for memories!

21. Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach is another one of my favorite stops in the Big Sur region. Tucked away at the end of a windy, narrow road, this beach is a must-see for those on a Big Sur road trip.

When you arrive, park in the designated visitor lot, which costs $15. This beach is known for having a wide area for lying out and has unique purple-colored sand that’s unlike anywhere else.

Pfeiffer Beach is one of the most popular beaches in California for photography enthusiasts. In the evenings around sunset, you can often catch golden hour light peeking through the Keyhole Arch rock formation.

22. Carmel Beach

Carmel-By-The-Sea is a scenic coastal town tucked away between Big Sur and Monterey. The highlight of this town is Carmel Beach, one of the best California beaches for swimming, surfing, and viewing sunsets.

This pristine turquoise beach is a nature lover’s dream. The beach consists of soft sand surrounded by beautiful cypress trees, lush shrubs, and plants.

You can wander along the white sand shoreline or take in the scenery from one of the walking paths that are part of the California Coastal Trail.

Explore all of the best of Carmel on this coastal 17-Mile Drive 2.5-hour electric bike tour. This guided electric tour stops by all of the top landmarks, viewpoints, and beaches in Carmel!

23. Lovers Point Park

If you’re looking for nice beaches in Central California, put Lovers Point Park at the top of your list! I usually make a stop here while heading on a road trip from LA to San Francisco.

Lovers Point Park has a small, calm bay that’s perfect for swimming, kayaking, and lying out in the sand. If you don’t have your own gear, you can rent a kayak or a paddleboard from the Adventure By The Sea Kiosk nearby.

This beach is popular for its beautiful turquoise water and white sand shoreline. From here, you can also head on oceanfront pathways and explore jagged ocean rocks.

24. Natural Bridges State Beach

Natural Bridges State Beach is located just outside of Santa Cruz. It costs $10 to visit this beach for the day.  

This is a smaller beach that’s known for its natural beauty, unique rock formations, and whale watching. Here you can also walk around tide pools and explore underwater life including starfish, sea anemones, and crabs.

Natural Bridges State Beach is situated next to a Monarch Butterfly Preserve with trails that travel between fragrant eucalyptus trees. From late October to February, you can observe thousands of butterflies that migrate here for the mild coastal weather.

Read Next: 10 Top Places To See Monarch Butterflies In California

25. Shark Fin Cove

Shark Fin Cove is one of the most picturesque beaches in California. Although the beach itself is very small, it is recognizable for the giant rock formation that resembles a shark’s fin. This beach also has caves that you can explore at low tide.

Shark Fin Cove is located a 15-minute drive north of Santa Cruz. Due to rocky terrain and strong waves, this beach is not the best spot for lying out or swimming.

Most people stop by here on a Highway 1 road trip to take a few photos of the stunning scenery.

Have you visited any of these beaches in California? Let us know your favorites in the comment section below!

Looking for more things to do in California? Be sure to check out these posts next:

• 30 Best Central California Coast Attractions For Visitors
• 16 Amazing Places To See Big Trees In California
• 20 Best Waterfalls In Central California (By a Local)
• 15 Best Places For Viewing Wildlife In California
• 12 Best Hikes In San Luis Obispo County, California

This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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