Choosing the best California beach is like picking the perfect flavor of ice cream. It all depends on what you're in the mood for. And with 1100 miles of coastline, California beaches can satisfy a lot of different moods.

So, what are you in the mood for? Are you looking to get away from it all, perhaps with a coastal wilderness experience? Or do you want to be in the thick of things, at the sunniest, most popular California beaches?

Maybe you want to find the best places for your favorite beach activities. Or perhaps you're looking for the best California beach for a family vacation or a romantic getaway.

Best California Beach is here to help. You'll find detailed information about California beaches and articles to help you find the best California beach for your kind of fun.

If you're looking for some specific information, use this handy tool to search the web site. (Hint: if the search results aren't what you're looking for, try adding the words "california" or "california beach" to your search terms.)

Web best-california-beach.com

Where Will You Find the Best California Beach?

California may be one state, but it has many different regions, each with its own distinctive flavor and attractions. Let's take a quick look at these regions, starting north and heading south. (All information on this web site is organized from north to south.)

Northern California Coast

Too many people (including native Californians!) ignore everything north of the San Francisco Bay area. Big mistake. This area is wetter and wilder than the rest of the California coast, yet it also affords luxuries you may not expect. You'll find art and theater, marvelous Victorian architecture, romantic inns and resorts, wineries, and more.

Or, you can embrace the wilderness and take a backpacking adventure along the rugged Lost Coast. The Northern California coast also boasts awe-inspiring redwood forests, rugged coastal bluffs, driftwood strewn beaches, and an incredible array of wildlife. You'll find plentiful opportunities for camping, hiking, kayaking, fishing, tidepooling, beachcombing, and horseback riding.

San Francisco Bay Area

The urban delights of San Francisco are world famous. But the Bay Area also has marvelous beaches. To the north of the city, you'll find a little piece of civilized wilderness in Point Reyes and Marin County. You'll feel like you're in the middle of nowhere, even though the big city is just around the corner.

Even in San Francisco itself, there are miles and miles of beach to explore. You'll find places to hike, bicycle, kayak, horseback ride - and the list goes on.

Many of these beaches are windy, and the water is usually frigid. But you'll find some protected beaches where sunbathing is popular, and where shallow calm waters make water play appealing. You just have to know where to look.

Head south of San Francisco and life gets simpler and quieter in the small communities that dot the coastline. You'll find major surfing spots in Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. Enjoy the wildlife (from whales to Monarch butterflies), the spectacular scenery, and the numerous recreational activities.

Central California Coast

California's central coast is one of the wonders of the world. Here you'll find the majestic beauty of Big Sur, the artsy charm and pristine white sands of Carmel, and the opulence of Hearst Castle. This is the place for wildlife and wine, camping and pampering.

The central coast includes Monterey Bay and Big Sur, south through Santa Barbara and Ventura. Attractions are varied - whale watching cruises, winery tours, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, wilderness camping, surfing, swimming, scuba diving, sightseeing, shopping, and eating. Oh, there's plenty of eating!

Check out the dunes in Pismo Beach, go hang gliding in Santa Barbara, or rent a kayak in Ventura. The possibilities are endless.

Southern California Coast

Southern California is the place to go if you're looking for fun in the sun. From Los Angeles down to San Diego, you'll find sunny beaches with plenty of sand and plenty to do.

There's surfing, sailing, kayaking, whale-watching, hiking, camping, and fishing. Enjoy a game of beach volleyball, or visit an aquarium.

And if you get sick and tired of the beach (don't know how that's possible!), there are plenty of amusement parks, museums, and shopping nearby.

Where to Start

The pages listed below are a good place to start your search for the best California beach.

Copyright © 2009 Joan Linwood. All Rights Reserved