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Think California. Think expansive coastline. Think gorgeous beaches. From swimmer-friendly to surfer-friendly to cliffside beaches to those perfect for beach bums and kids, the Golden State has it all. Here’s a low-down on the best beaches in California for families. You’ll love them all!
Beautiful Beaches in California for Families
Pebble Beach
Editor’s Choice
One of the best family beaches in California, Pebble Beach is a coastal area in the Monterey Peninsula off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. But this area offers some enchanting views of the ocean with some of the best white sand beaches in California, rocky cliffs, mountains, and a lush green golf course.
There are six mesmerizing beaches: Spanish Bay Beach, Stillwater Cove Beach, Moss Beach, Bird Rock Beach, Seal Rock Creek Beach, and Fanshell Beach in an area that will leave you spellbound with their beauty.
The Spanish Bay beach famous for its soft white sand beach is a must-visit. The beach is located behind The Inn at Spanish Bay. Take a stroll on the soft sand or watch the beautiful sunset by the ocean. Bird Rock Beach is another popular and must-visit spot. As the name suggests there is a huge rock that is a hub for birds as well as sea lions and harbor seals.
Tip: Do take binoculars to view the party of the animals swarming the rocks.
Stillwater Cove Beach, a white sandy beach is located below the Pebble Beach Golf course. Perfect to sunbathe and spend your time, it is a paradise for scuba divers. Although there is a limitation on the number of divers, it is better to reserve the spot. You can enjoy the serene water by taking a kayak tour or paddleboard tour with the Pebble Beach golf course as a backdrop.
These beaches can be accessed by driving the 17-mile drive, the loop road that traverses through Pebble Beach. There is a nominal entrance fee to enter the Pebble Beach area.
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Pfeiffer Beach
One of the most scenic beaches in California, Pfeiffer Beach is located in California’s Big Sur region. West of Highway 1, the road breaks off to get you onto Sycamore Canyon Road which makes its way down to the beach. You have a short walk down to the beach from the parking area.
The beach is well worth a visit for its strikingly impressive offshore views of towering rocks and ocean stacks. It’s also popular for its unique purple sand that can be seen during the wet winter months when the rain washes off the manganese garnet rocks from the cliffs that give the sand its beautiful pink and purple hues.
The best thing to do at Pfeiffer Beach is to stroll barefoot, click 1000000 pictures, build sandcastles, catch a sunset at Pfeiffer Keyhole Rock, or just sit or lie down taking in the views. You can admire the tide pools around the Pfeiffer Keyhole Rock at the low tide. It’s not ideal for swimming but you may find surfers.
With more time on hand, you can explore the entire Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park which offers a lot of scenic trails. Andrew Molera State Park is just about 10 miles away from the beach.
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La Jolla Cove Beach
Adriane of Put on Your Party Pants
La Jolla Cove is a beautiful beach located in La Jolla, California, a few minutes outside of downtown San Diego. It boasts seven miles of coastline with white sand beaches, jagged rocks, and crashing waves. There is no charge to enter the beach area.
This is a great beach to visit because the temperature is mild, breezy, and pleasant. It is easy to park. There are several cute shops and restaurants within walking distance to visit. You will have your choice of luxury hotels from which to choose if you want to stay in the area.
Typical beach activities one would expect are offered, such as surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking. There are also more adventurous options, like hang gliding over the beach and scuba diving. La Jolla has coves to explore and plenty of sandy areas from which to choose. There is no shortage of hiking opportunities. You can also golf nearby at Torrey Pines.
All of those nice features pale in comparison to La Jolla Cove’s real draw, the massive number of wild seals and sea lions who have claimed the area as their own. You are no longer allowed to swim in the area referred to as the “Children’s Pool” because seals and sea lions apparently knew children would be the easiest to pick off. While you can’t swim with the animals, you can walk onto bluffs and stand within feet of them. They are familiar with people, so they do not feel the need to move as you approach. Occasionally, one will chase someone away, but it is a great place to get up close and personal with the animals.
In addition to the seals and sea lions who are there year-round, it is possible to see whales during their migration. The unique nature of this beach makes it a must-stop and our favorite beach in California for families.
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Santa Monica Beach
Kanupriyaa of Sunset Jeans
Santa Monica Beach in Los Angeles County in SoCa is one of the best beaches in California for kids.
It is easy to get there by bus or Uber using the address for the Santa Monica Pier which is adjacent to it.
Santa Monica Pier, famous amongst the locals who hang out here every weekend is the quintessential southern California pier with brightly colored stalls, great restaurants, and of course Pacific Park, the above-water amusement park. Pacific Park is the ultimate family destination with rides, games, food, and lots of shopping. Some of the highlights of Pacific Park are its cool arcade, a carousel, and a trapeze school next door to some of the most amazing surf in California.
You can start your day by relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun. The Strand, the bike path that runs all the way down to the southern beaches of California is a great way to spend the day either skating, biking, or walking. As the sun sets you can witness the most gorgeous sunset from the cliff above the beach which has a view of the mountains all the way to Malibu.
At this point, the lights at Pacific Park are turned on and you can spend the evening having fun at the pier before heading out to Ocean Ave and sitting down for a bite of dinner. Ocean Ave is full of restaurants and shops selling the cutest souvenirs and the Santa Monica Mall is right next door to keep the little ones occupied. Santa Monica Beach is the ultimate family beach and you never run out of things to do at Santa Monica Beach.
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Manhattan Beach
Monica of Planner At Heart
Manhattan Beach is located in South Bay, Los Angeles. 15 minutes south of LAX.
The beach is accessible from the 405, 105, or 1. Center yourself near the intersection of Manhattan Beach Blvd and Manhattan Ave where the small parking decks and lots are located. If you’re staying in an LAX or local hotel, consider Ubering for the 15-minute drive.
This is the town to hang out with local South Bay families and enjoy a beautiful beach day away from the crowds and tourists. There’s a reason Manhattan Beach is called ‘The Pearl of L.A.’s South Bay.’ There are no giant parking lots or oversized decks in Manhattan Beach so while it’s tougher to find a spot it does prevent overcrowding.
Manhattan Ave has the cutest shops, ice cream places, restaurants, and all-important public beach bathrooms. From here you can access The Strand – a beachfront walking and bike path where kids can run free and parents can admire the stunning beachfront homes. If you’re looking for a shade break from the sun, sand, and surf, check out The Roundhouse Aquarium. It’s located at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier and is open daily with free admission so no pressure to “get your money’s worth.”
If you have a mini American Ninja Warrior, see if they can make it to the top of the 100 ft hill at Sand Dune Park. Afterward, hit up the playground and enjoy a picnic in the shade. If you want to enjoy a date night at one of Manhattan Beach’s upscale restaurants (The Strand House, Petros, or Sugarfish) AdventurePlex offers Parent Night Out drop-off programs on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Crissy Fields Beach
Kay of Dotted Globe
Located in San Francisco, the easiest way to reach Crissy Fields Beach is by walking from the Fisherman’s Wharf. The beach is located west of the wharf near the Golden Gate Bridge and is just about 15 minutes long.
The best part about Crissy Fields Beach is that it is located right in the city and you can easily add it to your San Francisco itinerary. There are picnic tables nearby and families can have a relaxing day at the beach. Restrooms are located nearby.
This sandy beach has amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It always has a gentle breeze and is popular for flying kites and windsurfing. There are many amazing things to do at Crissy Fields apart from picnic and kite flying. You can go for a run along the promenade, go biking along the water’s edge, spot wildlife, and enjoy the skyline views.
The beauty of this beach is that it is amazing at any time of the day and at any time of the year. In the spring, you will spot pretty wildflowers in the green grass near the beach. It is foggy in the winter and has amazing events in the fall. The sunset views across the Golden Gate Strait and the bridge are very photogenic. This is also one of the top spots to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge.
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Visitor Center are located near Crissy Fields Beach. You can easily walk to both the attractions. You can also check out San Francisco’s premier attractions such as Fisherman’s Wharf, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Ghirardelli Square from the beach.
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Carpinteria Beach
Renata Green of Bye Myself
Traveling down the coast in California, I was looking for a pitstop between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Two aspects narrowed my search down: I was traveling by public bus and I’m cheap when it comes to accommodations.
Getting to Carpinteria was very easy since Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train stops typically in Santa Barbara as well as in Carpinteria. Also, just in case, there is a local bus commuting between Santa Barbara and this cozy beach resort. And although Carpinteria is practically on the outskirts of Santa Barbara, it’s much cheaper than the fancy celebrity hotspot.
The beach is wide and stretches on a gentle slope. I came there for sunbathing and splashing, however, if you’re the sporty kind, there is also good surfing. It’s California, so obviously, some cute sea mammals might pass by – typically during the winter months – and it’s definitely worth it to bring your snorkel gear. As a matter of fact, it’s the perfect beach for everyone.
Although Carpinteria has an extremely laid-back vibe, there are some streets to stroll in and bars and shops so you definitely won’t get bored.
Especially if you are visiting with kids, you’ll not only enjoy the broad and tranquil beach area. You might also want to join a birding tour at the salt marsh.
As I said, staying in Carpinteria is much cheaper than in Santa Barbara. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check out how the other half lives. The above-mentioned public bus takes you to the city center for less than two dollars in under an hour. After having seen all the lovely spots Santa Barbara has to offer, you just hop on the next bus that will take you back to the tranquil refuge that’s beautiful Carpinteria.
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Jenner Beach
Allison of California Crossroads
Located in Jenner, California, Jenner Beach is, undoubtedly one of the coolest beaches in California.
Driving up California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), pull over when you reach a pull-out point in the town of Jenner, and then walk down to the beach down the path.
Jenner Beach is a wild and rugged beach that is typical of the Northern California coastline, which is more wind-swept and foggy than the typical sunny beaches of Southern California. It has lots of driftwood on the shore which gives it an incredible look that kids will love, which is made even more magical by all the sea stacks out in the ocean. But the coolest thing about Jenner Beach is that it’s located at the mouth of the Russian River, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean in a beautiful merging. It’s also a safe place for kids to wade and play, as the surf on the Pacific Ocean part of Jenner Beach can be rough at times.
Walk along the windswept beach and admire the convergence of the Russian River and the Pacific, have a delicious seafood meal at the lovely River’s End Inn (and a glass of local wine as well), walk over to the adjoining Goat Rock Beach, also in Jenner.
Jenner Beach is located close to Bodega Bay (made famous for being the filming location of Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Birds) as well as the funky Russian River adjacent town of Guerneville. The Armstrong Woods in Guerneville is another must-visit spot while in Sonoma County. There are also tons of wineries around worth stopping in, as well as the historic Fort Ross located in Jenner.
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Coronado Beach
Abby of Worth Every Trip
Located in San Diego, CA, Coronado Island is just across the bay from downtown San Diego by driving over the impressive Coronado Bridge. There is no beach parking lot, so you will need to find a spot on the side of a neighborhood street. (We like to park along Isabella Ave.) Make sure to park as close to the beach as possible to shorten your walk.
San Diego has tons of beaches, but Coronado Beach is our absolute favorite as a family! It has to be the best beach in California for kids!
Splash around in the shallow waves as they lap onto the shore, or venture out deeper for some good body surfing.
The sand is fine and soft. It’s comfortable to walk on and great for playing in. You will just want to add water to make it sticky enough for sandcastles.
The beach itself is long and deep, leaving plenty of space to spread out your towels and umbrellas while having plenty of room to play volleyball, frisbee, spike ball, or your beach game of choice. At the back of the beach, there are rolling sand dunes perfect for hide-and-seek and big rocks ready for climbing.
While spending a day at Coronado Beach, you can watch military planes and helicopters taking off and landing at the North Island Naval Air Station nearby. Kids love to stop chasing seagulls for a moment to look up at the F-18 Hornets flying right over the beach.
Beyond the beach, Coronado has even more to explore! Meandering fun little shops along Orange Ave, exploring the Hotel Del Coronado, and eating delicious food are some of the top things to do on Coronado Island. Plus, just across the bay, is downtown San Diego filled with all sorts of entertainment.
Carlsbad State Beach
Lisa of Planning Away
Located in Carlsbad, SoCa, near San Diego, Carlsbad State Beach is just off the I-5 interstate.
Southern California is one of the best places to enjoy the beach and Carlsbad State Beach is one of the best family beaches in Southern California.
The weather is perfect in Carlsbad all year round so going to the beach in December is just as nice as going in August. My kids actually swam in the Ocean in December! The water may be a little cooler but it is always colder on the California Coast.
The beach is nice and maintained. There are public facilities located all along the beach where you can shower after enjoying a nice day.
One thing that I love about Carlsbad is it is a great place to learn to surf. The waves are not on top of each other so as a beginner you have time to prepare before beginning to surf.
After a day at the beach, Carlsbad is a great place to explore. There are outlets and great restaurants nearby. Legoland is also located in Carlsbad so you could easily add that to your itinerary.
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Natural Bridges State Beach
Katherine Fenech of Bright Lights of America
Located in Santa Cruz, California, Natural Bridges State Beach is reached by taking Highway 1 from San Francisco to Swift Street or following West Cliff Drive to the west from Santa Cruz.
Natural Bridges State Beach has something for everyone and is the perfect spot to bring your family for a day at the beach, or on your Santa Cruz weekend trip. Set upon the vast expanse of sand in front of the rocky archway that gives the area its name and see how many different kinds of shorebirds you can spot. It’s also a great place to view migrating whales or watch the playful otters and seals.
This is not your run-of-the-mill beach, there’s much more to do than splash in the water and build sandcastles. Although those are both great activities, remember that the Pacific Ocean can be pretty cold this far up the coast.
Younger children will love exploring the tide pools – at low tide, they might be lucky enough to find sea stars, shore crabs, and even sea anemones amongst the barnacles.
The best bit about Natural Bridges State Beach is that the 65-acre park also includes coastal scrub and grasslands, with hiking trails that you can explore once you’ve had your fill of the ocean view.
Visit during October and April to see a swarm of Monarch butterflies escaping harsher winter climates for the relative warmness of Santa Cruz. The Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve is part of Natural Bridges State Beach and is included in the $10 vehicle entry fee. Each year thousands of butterflies flock to the eucalyptus trees that shelter them from the wind and provide food. The best bit is that the preserve is wheelchair and stroller accessible, because of the wide boardwalk.
There’s plenty to do in nearby Santa Cruz, including experiencing the rides and carnival games on the famous boardwalk or visiting the “gravitational anomaly” that is the Mystery Spot.
San Clemente
Debbie Fettback of World Adventurists
San Clemente is located on the California Coast, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego at the southern tip of the county. It’s best reached by car or Amtrak train.
The best gems when traveling are always found during random stops. We were road-tripping around California when our then three-year-old asked for a potty break. Unknown to us at that moment, we would find one of our favorite stops on the trip, the cute “Spanish Village by the Sea”, San Clemente. The city is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, and its beautiful Spanish Colonial-style architecture. What was supposed to be a quick stop turned into us rearranging our plans to spend some time in this charming city. We found San Clemente to be a great family-friendly vacation destination. Our vote goes to San Clemente for the best beach for families in California.
The San Clemente Coastal Trail was a gorgeous walk along the ocean bank and train route. We loved seeing the trains running along the beach. It is a lovely walk to do with the family and looked like a
popular running route as well.
We spent our time mostly around the core beach area by the iconic pier landmark of the city, wandering the long stretch of white sand, playing in the waves, watching surfers, and relaxing to the sound of crashing waves. There were plenty of restaurants and food options nearby. One of the popular spots, with fresh food, and decent prices, where you can enjoy your meal with views of the surf, is Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar. Located right on the pier, it is a perfect spot for lunch with the family.
We loved the laid-back and slow-paced feel of San Clemente. We felt that we could really unwind and relax. Whether you are looking for family fun, a romantic meal with a view, or the thrill of riding some waves, San Clemente will welcome you.
Glass Beach
Kristina Bullock of Million Miler Mom
How can you not include the beautiful Glass Beach when talking about the best California beaches for families?
Located in Fort Bragg, California, Glass Beach can be reached easily by car. From Highway 1, head west on Elm Street and you’ll reach the parking lot for the Glass Beach Trailhead. There is also ample street parking along Glass Beach Drive if it is busy.
While most beaches allow children to look for rocks, shells, and maybe even for creatures in tide pools, California has a beach that also provides another item to seek out: sea glass. Up until the late 1960s, the city used the ocean as a dump. While an extensive clean-up was done after operations ceased, all of the glass that was dumped slowly became round colorful pieces that have washed up onshore. Children will love spotting the colorful pieces that are very smooth to touch – try to make it a game to find certain colors but, remember, California beaches don’t allow you to remove anything from the boundaries of the state park.
With miles of walking trails along the beach, this is the perfect spot to both explore from the bluffs and on the beach. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the incredible views.
In addition to exploring the adjacent city of Fort Bragg, visitors can head south to picturesque Mendocino, California. Even further south in Point Arena, you can either be a day or overnight guest at B Bryan Preserve where you can meet giraffes and zebras up close!
Westward Beach
Casandra Karpiak of Savoteur
One of the best beaches for kids in California, Westward Beach is located in Malibu, CA. From Santa Monica follow Pacific Coast Highway 18 miles west to Westward Beach Road. Turn toward the ocean, and go beyond the fee collection station to the very end of the road.
From the 101-Freeway, exit at Kanan Road, follow it south 12 miles to Pacific Coast Highway, then turn right. Westward Beach Road is over the rise, at the foot of the hill.
It is a beautiful three-mile stretch of sandy beach with an incredible view of the cliffs of Point Dume Natural Preserve. There are often dolphins playing happily near the shoreline and the waves are gentle if you have young children. Parking, restrooms, and lifeguards are stationed along the waterfront for safety and convenience, so there are no long hikes to haul all your beach gear.
At the south end of Westward Beach sits Pirates Cove, which is hidden by huge boulders and requires you to scramble over them to get to it. Kids love the adventure of discovering a secret beach as they use their imagination while exploring the cove. Access to Pointe Dume Nature Preserve is at the end of Westward Beach Road. To get to the Nature Preserve, there is a trail that leads to an ancient coastal bluff sand dune. On a clear day, views of the entire Santa Monica Bay, north Malibu Coast, and distant Catalina Island can be enjoyed from the top. There is also a viewing platform just below the summit which is sheltered from the wind.
The Sunset Restaurant is located right on Westward Beach Road and one side of the restaurant faces the ocean so all guests can look outside during their meal. The food is delicious and is known for its cozy atmosphere.
Pescadero State Beach
Tatiana of Family Road Trip Guru
Pescadero, is about an hour’s drive from the Bay Area, which makes it one of the best day trips from San Francisco with kids. You can only get there by car.
There are a lot of great beaches in California but my favorite ones are those that give you a little more than just sun, sand, and surf. I love the ones where you can do tide-pooling. When the tide is very low (preferably zero or below feet), the Pacific Ocean retreats far away leaving behind small pools of water in rock crevasses. Many ocean dwellers get trapped in those pools till the tide comes back in and we, humans, can walk around and see those amazing creatures.
There are lots of rocks at Pescadero State Beach so when the tide is really low you can easily see many orange and purple starfish, anemones, crabs of all sizes, mussels, and sea urchins. Someone once told me that they even saw a small octopus trapped in a tide pool at Pescadero Beach. Kids absolutely love finding and studying these ocean dwellers.
Before visiting Pescadero Beach (or any other beach for that matter) for tide pooling, check the tides chart. The best time to see the time pools starts about one to one and a half hours before the lowest tides. Please, do not touch the sea creatures, just observe and take lots of pictures.
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Dhara of Roadtripping California
Name of Beaches: Francis Beach, Venice Beach, Dunes Beach, and Roosevelt Beach
Located in Half Moon Bay along California Highway 1, the beach can be reached from downtown San Francisco, by taking US 101 S to CA 1 S.
Half Moon Bay State Beach is made up of four pristine beaches. It is one of the most stunning state parks near San Francisco you can visit. The natural beauty, with clean white sand and sparkling water. makes for a wonderful day out, especially if you choose a sunny day to visit.
The four beaches of Half Moon State Beach are perfect for strolling, building sandcastles, surfing, and picnicking. The sunsets here are spectacular as well.
In season, whale watching is a popular activity at Half Moon State Beach. California gray whales migrate south in the winter and back north in the spring and can be spotted from shore with binoculars. If you enjoy camping, there are campgrounds with amenities at a couple of the beaches.
Families can also walk or bike the Coastal Trail that runs along the bluff above the beaches. Swimming is not recommended because of dangerous surf and rip tides. Plus the water is way too cold for swimming.
There are parking lots at three of the four beaches, and the fourth is accessed by a short walk from the parking lot at the next beach. Francis Beach, the southernmost beach, is the most popular and thus the most crowded. If you prefer solitude, pick one of the northernmost beaches.
Half Moon Bay has lots of great eateries, so before or after your time at the beach, pick a restaurant to enjoy a meal. The Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay is a fabulous spot to take in the sunset.
Santa Cruz Main Beach
Em of That Travelista
Santa Cruz is a world-famous surf town located just south of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a key stop on the popular California Pacific Highway road trip between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Santa Cruz is a forty-five-minute drive from San Jose and a seventy-five-minute drive from San Francisco, assuming normal traffic. Once off the highway and in Santa Cruz, stay on Ocean Street until it ends. From here, the ocean and beach boardwalk is visible. Make a right onto San Lorenzo and left at the first bridge over the river. Park in one of the parking lots directly in front of the boardwalk, for between $5 – $15 a day, or use the metered parking located all around the city.
One of the best beaches in Northern California for families, Santa Cruz Main Beach is perfect for families because it keeps visitors of all ages and interests entertained. Young kids and older teenagers alike love the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk*, which offers everything from speedy roller coasters to calm kiddie rides. Those looking to exercise can spend the day at the beach volleyball courts or even take a surfing lesson, while those looking to relax can stroll along the mile-long beach.
When it comes time to eat, the options are just as abundant. Pick up amusement park favorites throughout the day like funnel cakes and corndogs on a stick, or walk along the Santa Cruz Wharf for casual surf n’ turf. Alternatively, pack your own picnic for lunch and later head into downtown Santa Cruz for a proper evening meal.
Perhaps the best thing about Santa Cruz is that it functions just as well as a day trip or as part of a longer Northern California holiday. Families with more time can combine a day at Santa Cruz Main Beach with a few days in San Francisco, a day at Big Basin Redwood State Park, and a day or two in Monterey – home of the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium.
*The boardwalk is open daily during summer and shoulder months, but less frequently the rest of the year. Be sure to check the hours if planning a visit during winter.
That’s a wrap-up of our list of pretty beaches in California! What’s your favorite of all the California Beaches? Is your best beach in California for family included in our list of top beaches in California? Share with us in the comments section.
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All these beaches look fantastic! Thanks for sharing, will definitely keep in mind when we visit California.
Thanks a lot. We are glad it will be of help to you to plan your next trip to California. Enjoy the sandy beaches and the weather.