# The best beaches in California

From Big Sur's purple sand to San Diego's sea lions: the California beaches locals and travel guides rate highest.

- 11 votes · 12 items
- Aug 27, 2026 · Rachel D.
- https://even.best/en/l/1084/the-best-beaches-in-california

## Top 10

1. **Coronado Beach, San Diego** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Wide golden sand in front of the Hotel del Coronado.
2. **Huntington Beach** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — 'Surf City USA' with a long pier.
3. **Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Purple-tinted sand and the Keyhole Arch.
4. **El Matador State Beach, Malibu** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Sea stacks and caves below the bluffs.
5. **La Jolla Cove, San Diego** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Sea lions, snorkelling and tide pools.
6. **Victoria Beach, Laguna Beach** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Hidden beach with a castle-like tower.
7. **Carmel Beach** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — White sand and cypress trees in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
8. **Crystal Cove State Park** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Historic cottages and tide pools between Newport and Laguna.
9. **Santa Monica State Beach** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Classic beach with the pier and its Ferris wheel.
10. **Baker Beach, San Francisco** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the sand.
11. **Glass Beach, Fort Bragg** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Shoreline of sea glass polished by the waves.
12. **Corona del Mar State Beach** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Sheltered cove in Newport Beach.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.