Half Moon Bay
Located in San Mateo County, Half Moon Bay is 28 miles south of San Francisco. Half Moon Bay is home to a historic downtown and plenty of hidden beaches such as Pomponio, San Gregario and Cowell Ranch State Park. The area is an ideal escape from the bustling San Francisco.
©istockphoto/stevegeer
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Located just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Point Lobos is a popular destination for hiking, lookout points and smaller beaches. It is also known for its unparalleled scuba diving scenery. Point Lobos is so beautiful and unique that landscape artist Francis McComas called Point Loma, “the greatest place of land and water in the world.” Gibson and Sandy Beach are two popular hangout spots in the park.
©istockphoto/Viacheslav Gorelik
Big Sur Secluded Beaches
Between Carmel and Big Sur you’ll notice long stretches of secluded beaches. Most have a pull out point where you can park your car along with wooden stairs that lead to the beach. The current may be too rough for swimming, but it’s a perfect spot to enjoy a beach walk all by yourself.

©istockphoto/Sam Camp
Jalama Beach
Located in Lompoc, Jalama is a popular surfing and camping destination. With 98 campsites, each site overlooks the beach and the ocean. Unreserved camping spots are on a first come first serve basis. With a long stretch of sand, it’s the perfect place to stretch your legs after sitting in the car.
Huntington Beach
If you want to experience the quintessential SoCal beach lifestyle, then visit Huntington Beach. With 13 surfing shops, there is no shortage of soul suffers in this area. You can visit the Surfers’ Hall of Fame and spot your favorite surfer’s foot and handprint inside Huntington Surf and Sport shop. Whether you want to learn how to surf or just walk the pier, you can find everything Los Angeles has to offer in and around Huntington.

Malibu Beach
Malibu is one of the most popular beaches in the Los Angeles region. Known for its pier, Malibu is perfect to watch the sunset and to try a seafood meal. Try Paradise Cove Beach Café for its stunning waterfront views and local favorites like the shrimp tacos.
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