USA TODAY 10Best
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the 10 best beaches on the West Coast
Best Beach on the West Coast (2023)
Beaches on the West Coast of the country are known for their scenic beauty, diverse landscapes and vibrant culture. It's easy to find a beach that has exactly what you're looking for, whether you want to surf, sail, swim, hike or simply relax on the sand.
With over 1,000 miles of coastline, beaches range from rugged and rocky to sandy and sunny. Here are the 10 best beaches on the West Coast, according to readers.
- Zuma Beach - Malibu, California
- Dana Strands Beach - Dana Point, California
- Black's Beach - La Jolla, California
- Cannon Beach - Cannon Beach, Oregon
- Baker Beach - San Francisco, California
- Carmel Beach - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
- Windansea Beach - La Jolla, California
- Oceanside Harbor Beach - Oceanside, California
- La Jolla Shores Beach - La Jolla, California
- Oxnard Beach Park - Oxnard, California
Photo courtesy of Azurita / Getty Images
No. 10:
A quintessential Southern California beach experience with a family-friendly atmosphere, Malibu’s Zuma Beach is a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. 10Best contributor Jenny Peters says, "Zuma has it all, from surfing and beach volleyball to food stands, plenty of parking and wide sand that's perfect for just hanging out and watching the migrating whales go by."
Photo courtesy of Visit Dana Point
No. 9:
In addition to sunbathing, surfing and enjoying the beautiful views, visitors to Dana Strands Beach in California enjoy exploring the tide pools that form at low tide. Access to the beach is via a fenced-in path and stairs that descend to the beach joining a boardwalk at the bottom. There is also a funicular, or tram, that takes visitors up and down if they're unable to hike.
Photo courtesy of alexandrshevchenko / Getty Images
No. 8:
Black's Beach is a difficult-to-get-to beach in La Jolla that rewards the ambitious with stunning cliffs and pristine sands. The challenging trails to the beach descend 300 feet down steep cliffs and visitors are warned to stay on the maintained paths. Despite the difficulty and dangers, surfers love this beach for the big winter swells and nudists like it for the clothing-optional section on the beach’s north end.
Photo courtesy of OGphoto / Getty Images
No. 7:
Featuring a vast expanse of sandy shoreline, the iconic Cannon Beach is framed by majestic rock formations, including the famous Haystack Rock. In addition to beautiful views, the beach offers opportunities for beachcombing, tide pooling and birdwatching, and it's popular for leisurely strolls and sunset views.
Photo courtesy of bluejayphoto / Getty Images
No. 6:
Baker Beach is a popular beach located in the northwest corner of San Francisco, featuring breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. According to Dave Stamboulis, 10Best contributor, "Any beach with such a jaw-dropping view of the Golden Gate Bridge deserves a 'best beach' title!" Visitors can wear swimsuits, or not, as there is a clothing-optional section on the north end of the beach.
Photo courtesy of Visit Carmel
No. 5:
Located on a picturesque stretch of California coastline is Carmel Beach. Known for pristine white sand, stunning turquoise water and scenic views of Carmel Bay and Pebble Beach, this beach is a popular spot for sunbathing, surfing and cozying by a beach bonfire to enjoy the sunset. This is a dog-friendly beach that even allows dogs off-leash to romp along the sandy shores.
Photo courtesy of jsnover / Getty Images
No. 4:
Windansea Beach, located in La Jolla, California, is known for its great surf breaks, rugged rocky coastline and unique sandy coves. The beach is a popular spot for experienced surfers, tide pooling and sunbathing. Windansea Beach is also home to an historic surf shack.
Photo courtesy of Visit Oceanside
No. 3:
This sandy California beach offers a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, with gentle waves suitable for swimming, boogie boarding and surfing. Oceanside Harbor Beach is also known for its iconic pier, where visitors can stroll, fish or enjoy panoramic ocean views. According to 10Best contributor Marla Cimini, "This beach town is experiencing a big resurgence and transforming into a charming destination with a picturesque shoreline."
Photo courtesy of m-imagephotography / Getty Images
No. 2:
One of San Diego’s most popular beaches, La Jolla Shores Beach is a coastal gem featuring a mile of expansive sandy beach and clear turquoise waters. The beach offers excellent swimming and snorkeling and is also a favorite spot for learning to surf, thanks to its gentle waves and sandy bottom. It's also known for its abundant marine life, including colorful fish, seals and sea lions.
Photo courtesy of Sam and Ryan Looney
No. 1:
Oxnard Beach Park is a palm-studded coastal park with grassy rolling dunes and a gorgeous stretch of sandy beach located in Oxnard, California. The beach is ideal for swimming, surfing and sunbathing. Popular for its lack of commercialism, expert Kristen Lummis notes, "Possibly the most undeveloped beach in California. Yes, there are private homes, but no vendors, no pressure, nothing but soft sand and rolling waves as you look west."
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based... Read More
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer... Read More
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los... Read More
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Leila Najafi
Leila Najafi is an LA-based luxury travel and... Read More
Leila Najafi is an LA-based luxury travel and lifestyle writer covering destination guides, hotel reviews, restaurant openings, travel rewards programs, and buying guides. Leila has bylines in Barron's, Travel + Leisure, InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, Thrillist, and 10Best.com by USA Today. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @LeilasList. www.leilanajafi.com
Leila Najafi
Leila Najafi is an LA-based luxury travel and lifestyle writer covering destination guides, hotel reviews, restaurant openings, travel rewards programs, and buying guides. Leila has bylines in Barron's, Travel + Leisure, InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, Thrillist, and 10Best.com by USA Today. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @LeilasList. www.leilanajafi.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in... Read More
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea... Read More
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic, there's not much about California she doesn't love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels .
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic, there's not much about California she doesn't love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels .
