With sunny days and irresistible outdoors temptations, California has the ideal setting for an unforgettable summer adventure. Southern California is home to many wonderful beaches with impressive horizons, soft sand, and crystalline waters. Favourite Haunt’s list of its favorite beaches in no ranking order. 

San Pedro, California 

Royal Palms Beach 

1799 Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro 90732  

You may experience sea life in its natural habitat without getting wet, the tide pools at Royal Palms offer glimpses of sea anemones and other unusual life forms that live in the wet nooks and crannies of the rocky shoreline after the tide has gone out. Don’t be surprised to see a flock of Brown Pelicans fly by. This beach has tidepools, swimming, surfing, a picnic area, a promenade, restrooms. There is a children’s playground and a small park at the top of the bluff.  

Here the sunsets are amazing, it’s usually not very crowded. There are several other spots along here that you should also consider. Beachcombers can explore the rocky beach north of the picnic area, but there is little sand here. It’s a local gem. Royal Palms Beach and White Point Beach share the same entrance from Paseo Del Mar. 

Highlights 

Los Angeles Maritime Museum  

Berth 84, Foot of 6th St., San Pedro, CA 90731 

For more than 40 years, the L.A. Maritime Museum has been gathering and preserving the vibrant seafaring culture of the region. San Pedro and the Greater Los Angeles area have a long maritime history, and its legacy can still be seen in the culture of the region and the best way to learn about this history the museum. 

Founded in 1980, the Museum covers the history of Los Angeles Harbor through exhibits and tours. Exhibits include a history of commercial diving in Los Angeles Harbor and a Navy Hall that features large ship models such as the U.S. Navy cruiser Los Angeles and the SS Poseidon model from the 1972 disaster film The Poseidon Adventure.

Point Fermin Lighthouse 

The lighthouse was built in 1874 with lumber from California redwoods. The light fell into disuse and disrepair in 1941. The light was extinguished due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was feared that it would facilitate bombing. The site was refurbished in 1974 including a new lantern room and gallery were built by local preservationists.

Point Fermin Park is one of the few places on the peninsula where Monarch butterflies spend their winters. This lovely park provides spectacular views of the coast and Channel Islands. With 37 acres of beautiful trees, lawns, gardens and pergolas and where monarch butterflies can be spotted in the colder months, harbor seals and dolphins are seen playing offshore. The park includes picnic areas, a playground, and an amphitheater. 

The Lighthouse is closed to the public on Mondays. The Lighthouse may be closed on major holidays and for special events in the park, please call ahead for specific dates. Guided tours are offered every hour at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 P.M. on Tuesday through Sunday. Large groups or private tours should call ahead for special arrangements. Reservations are not necessary for the general public.

Catalina Express 

Travel to Catalina Island by boat with the Catalina Express round-trip ferry service from San Pedro or Long Beach. Disembark at the main town of Avalon, then spend the day exploring Catalina Island on your own. Stay overnight or return on the same day; simply use your return ferry ticket when ready. Choose your departure point—Long Beach or San Pedro—when booking. 

Rancho Palos Verde, Los Angeles County, California

Pelican Cove Park

31300 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Pelican Cove Park is one destination that deserves to be at the top of your bucket list. Located in a breathtaking area of Southern California called Palos Verdes. Wander along the various designated hiking paths and soak up soaring ocean views for a feast for the eyes. A short scenic 1.7 mile walk along the Terranea Discovery Trail brings you to a cool filming location, the cave featured in the movie, The Lost Boys (1987). 

Nearby Point Vicente Lighthouse, you can spend some time strolling along this oceanfront park and make your way to one of the world’s most beautiful lighthouses all in the same day. Visit this historic landmark for panoramic views of the coastline. Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is where one can discover more beaches, trails, and tide pools. Pelican Cove Beach offers a serene escape with stunning natural beauty, perfect for a relaxing day by the sea in the picturesque surroundings of Terranea Resort. 

Malibu, Los Angeles County, California 

Point Dume State Beach 

29245 Cliffside Drive, Malibu, CA 90265 

Point Dume State Beach features headlands, cliffs, rocky coves and vast beach access. Westward Beach is presently operated by Los Angeles County, which also operates Zuma County Beach. These facilities are noted for swimming, surfing and scuba diving. Point Dume is a perfect place to watch California gray whales during the December to mid-April migration period. 

Also known as Dume Cove Beach or Big Dume, the main Point Dume beach in Malibu features a crescent-shaped shoreline that faces southeast of Point Dume. Access to the beach is by a trail across a small bluff-top natural preserve and then down a long steep staircase. 

Pointe Dume has scuba diving, tide pooling, beachcombing, rock climbing, whale watching, fishing, surfing, birdwatching, and wildlife watching. 

Paradise Cove/Ramirez Canyon Creek 

28128 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265 

Paradise Cove in Malibu is a public beach in front of a privately-owned facility by the same name. It’s a comfortable place to sun and fun and to explore the Malibu shoreline. This beach features a fishing pier, restrooms, showers, and tide pools. 

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe 

Paradise Cove is a great beach in Malibu and cafe. The beautiful blue Pacific Ocean can be enjoyed with a cocktail in hand. There is a wide selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. Another way to explore Staircase Beach is to walk on the sand from the North Beach parking lot which is inside the main state park entrance. 

Leo Carrillo State Park 

35000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 

North Beach at Leo Carrillo State Park is a wide family-friendly and dog-friendly beach in western Malibu. In between North Beach and Leo Carrillo’s South Beach there is a rocky area known as Sequit Point which has tide pools, rock arches, and sea caves to explore. The inland portion of the park has a campground with 130+ spots that can be booked through a website. The Nicholas Flat Trails takes off uphill from the campground for those that want to go hiking. 

Staircase Beach 

40000 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 

Staircase Beach or Harrison’s Reef is a little-used area within Malibu. Surfers are the main visitors to this spot located north of the park’s popular North Beach. Dogs are allowed on the beach if they are on a leash. It is best for surfing, fishing and beach walking.  

Hiking 

Paradise Cove to Point Dume 

A beautiful beach walk from Paradise Cove to Point Dume Nature Preserve at the northwest end of Santa Monica Bay. This is a great place for a sandy beach run, workout, or long walk along southern California’s scenic coastline. The Point Dume State Beaches and rocky coves are best accessed during LOW TIDE so check the tide charts. This trail is a 5.4-mile loop trail that is a moderately challenging route taking about 2 hours. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and running. The best times to visit this trail are January through August. But no dogs are allowed on this trail. 

Point Dume Cove Trail 

This beautiful trail is atop a buried volcanic cone in North Malibu. The magnificent ocean views and not that many people out make this a popular area for rock climbing and hiking. 

Laguna Beach, Orange County, California

Broadway St & CA-1, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Known as the California Riviera, Laguna Beach is more than just a pretty seaside town, it’s a place for adventure. There are so many coves, shoreline stretches, and hidden spots along this beautiful stretch of the Pacific Ocean that the options seem endless. A boardwalk runs along this vibrant, scenic beach for relaxing, exercising & dog walking. 

One of the best things to do in Laguna Beach is to show up on the first Thursday of every month for their art walk. The galleries and select shops open their doors often with wine and snacks to welcome visitors and enjoy the local art scene. The art walk takes place from 6-9 pm so if you want to get the most out of the night start in the north end of Laguna Beach. Then head to the south end of the art walk. 

If you don’t want to walk the entire stretch, then you can hop on the free trolley that stops at different points of the art walk. While exploring downtown Laguna Beach be sure to give yourself enough time to enjoy Laguna Beach and Bluffs of Heisler Park.  

Heisler Park  

375 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States  

Heisler Park, located in Laguna Beach California, is a large oceanfront park that provides access to several beaches, including Picnic Beach and Rockpile Beach, both of which are located on either side of Monument Point at the center of the park. The park also provides access to Diver’s Cove and Main Beach, located on opposite ends of the park. 

There are several benches along the way facing the ocean. Spot many dolphins that frolic by or a whale breach here. Abundant with tropical plant life, the beach offers some of the most sublime views of the ocean. 

The park was named after Howard G. Heisler, who bought the property in 1905. It contains art sculptures and offers many amenities, including paved walking paths, large grass lawns, picnic tables, charcoal grills, a gazebo, outdoor showers (at the bottom of the stairways leading to the beaches), bathroom facilities, and, of course, the beaches, where you can lay out on the sand, explore coves or go tide pooling. 

Victoria Beach 

The iconic Pirate’s Tower and tide pool. This is one of the best things to do in Laguna Beach if you’re seeking out a cool photo spot. The mysterious tower looks like something out of a fairy tale. However, in all actuality, it’s just a staircase down to the beach during low tide. The 60-foot castle-inspired tower was built at the same time as the house at the top of the bluff, in 1926, and was used to get from the house down to Victoria beach below.  

Thousand Steps Beach 

This enclave is another sweet spot of Laguna beaches. It’s also home to John Wayne’s famous beach house, picturesque homes, great swimming, and an amazing coastline. Don’t let the name scare you away, there aren’t really a thousand steps here! However, it will feel like it when you are coming back up those stairs after a long day in the sun on the beach. This beach is about as far south as you can go to in Laguna Beach.  

Hiking in Laguna Beach  

18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is in the canyon just outside of downtown Laguna Beach. There are many trails here, so stop at the Nix Nature Center to see which trail is right for you. 

La Jolla, San Diego County, California 

La Jolla Shores 

La Vereda Dr La Jolla, CA 92037 

La Jolla Shores is a very popular beach in San Diego because of its gorgeous views. You can rent kayaks and go scuba diving in the kelp beds. La Jolla Shores is for families, with stretches of grass, an enticing playground, a large bathroom and outdoor shower facilities, it is catered to create a fun, easy family or group outing. Due to its closeness to Scripps Institute of Oceanography, it is a favorite haunt for scuba divers and snorkelers. 

Highlights  

Kellogg Park has a large playground, picnic tables, a grassy area with barbecues, and bonfire pits right on the beach.  

Kayakers, boaters, scuba divers, and surfers are all welcome here.  

Downtown La Jolla Shores is just a 5-minute walk away, where you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants. 

Grunion Run 

Come and catch the grunions, the small fish that come to shore and spawn during the full and new moon nights between June and October! The best grunion runs normally occur on the second and third nights of the four-night period. The second hour is usually better than the first hour. 

Leopard Sharks 

When the water is warm, the leopard sharks gather at the beach area in front of the Marine Room where the waves are gentle. Take a kayak over to the area, then simply dip into the water to swim with them. You can visit any of the local shops to rent gear for snorkeling. 

Birch Aquarium  

Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Birch Aquarium is home to more than 3,000 fish and 60 habitats, providing a unique opportunity to become immersed in an underwater world of sharks, seahorses, living coral reefs and more! Contained within the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, the aquarium offers an exciting experience of the ocean sciences, conservation and research. 

Immerse yourself into the world of sharks, seahorses, and coral reefs at Birch Aquarium. Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, Birch Aquarium features more than 60 habitats with fascinating creatures including a rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle, a Giant Pacific Octopus, Garibaldi and Moray Eels.

Live feedings and shows to further aquatic learning and understanding as well as fabulous views of the Pacific. Tours and behind the scenes activities like petting live sea creatures, such as juvenile sharks. 

Windansea Beach  

The rocky shore of Windansea Beach is perhaps best known for its beautiful scenery and surf breaks created by underwater reefs. Much of Windansea experiences moderate to severe shore break, a condition on steep beaches which results in hard breaking surf right at the shoreline. This makes it a popular location for surfing; however, swimmers should enter and exit the water carefully to prevent potentially serious injury. Sandstone rocks act as partitions along the beach offering a secluded place for sunbathing.