California is one of the best places in the country to enjoy the outdoors, pursue an active lifestyle, and enjoy some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery you can imagine!
If surfing isn't your passion, the opportunities for paddle boarding, nature photography, picnicking, and just plain exploring are readily available. Whether you're looking for rugged terrain or flat, sandy beaches with gift shops and restaurants nearby, California's varied coastline offers residents a myriad of outdoor experiences.
For those who enjoy hiking, backpacking, and camping, two locations worth exploring are Yosemite National Park and Wildcat Beach. One caveat, though: Since a visit to Wildcat Beach involves a five-mile hike each way, one would need to be in excellent physical condition to tackle that challenge! However, if surfing, snorkeling, sunbathing, and/or beachcombing are more your speed, there are plenty of other great California beaches from which to choose.
Some of the more highly rated ones include Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, both of which are in Orange County. Laguna Beach features a handful of "cove beaches," which range from Crescent Bay and Main Beach to Thousand Steps and Victoria Beach. Hermosa Beach in Los Angeles also garners positive reviews, and is considered to be clean, sandy, picturesque, and conveniently close to shops and restaurants.
In addition to El Matador Beach and La Jolla Beach, another notable coastal destination near L.A. is Catalina Island. It offers access to several scenic and relaxing beaches, such as Descanso Beach, Middle Beach, South Beach, Step Beach, and Two Harbors Beaches.
One of the most famous beaches in Southern California is Venice Beach, which features a 3-mile boardwalk, gift shops, quirky street performers, flea markets, fast food shops, and a veritable flurry of non-stop activity and interesting people!
For many families, the Santa Monica Beach area offers the best of all worlds. It combines elements like a boardwalk, an amusement park, an aquarium, the beach, food, shopping, and a festive atmosphere. Another oceanside attraction you might enjoy is Coronado Beach in San Diego.
What about northern California, you might wonder? Well, there's no shortage of appealing beaches in that part of the state, either! Examples would include Stinson Beach, Carmel Beach, and Muir Beach. Baker Beach, another possibility, is literally a stone's throw from the Golden Gate Bridge. And speaking of stones, Rodeo Beach is a great place to stroll along the water's edge and collect semi-precious stones that are continually being washed up by the surf. With free parking, picnic tables, and restroom facilities, it's a nice spot to bring the family for a leisurely day by the ocean.
If you're thinking of buying a home in Monterey or Santa Cruz, then Capitola Beach is an excellent one to keep on your radar. It has a reputation of being "kid friendly" and is conveniently close to eateries, restrooms, showers, and parking facilities.
That's just a small sampling of the many appealing public beaches that are scattered along the California coast. Whether you're planning a move to northern or southern California, there's a good chance ocean access and outdoor recreational opportunities are just a short drive (or bicycle ride) away!
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