Explore the best beaches in Southern California this summer

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4 months ago

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Good morning. It’s Saturday, July 20. Here’s what you need to know to start your day. I’m Brittany Levine Beckman, features editor.

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Southern California’s 50 best beaches

It’s often said we pay so much to live in Southern California because of the amenities, high among them the beaches. Yet the sad reality is so many who live here never go to the beach.

If you don’t take advantage of our shores as much as you’d like, let us inspire you to change that. The Los Angeles Times this week named the 50 best beaches from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Reporters spent months visiting hundreds of miles of coastline to pick beaches with easy access (although a handful have a more remote feel) and special amenities (like firepits, volleyball courts, camping, views and great spots to surf, paddleboard, snorkel or explore tide pools).

Many of our recommendations have accessibility options, such as beach wheelchairs, all but three have bathrooms (cleanliness varies), and they’re almost evenly split in terms of dog-friendliness.

Pull up our guide whenever you crave a beach day. Here are a few intriguing tidbits to get your planning gears turning:

Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu has awe-inspiring sea caves, a dog-friendly area and allows alcohol (not in glass).
Torrance Beach may be L.A. County’s Goldilocks of beaches.
Bring someone you want to impress (and take photos with) to El Matador State Beach in Malibu.
Victoria Beach in Laguna Beach boasts a historical landmark: the 60-foot Pirate Tower. And two other great beaches on our list are close by.
Check out sea stars in Crystal Cove State Park’s tide pools and spend the night in a rustic cottage.
In La Jolla, head to Windansea for a sunset stroll and La Jolla Shores to snorkel.
Beachcomb for sea glass and spot dolphins at Surfer’s Knoll in Ventura.
Sip a cocktail on a chaise lounge at Descanso Beach on Catalina Island.
Ride horses at two of our Santa Barbara picks, forbidden on most Southern California beaches.
Find beaches popular with nudists hidden among other recommendations.

Erosion, access and, sometimes, bacteria

However, it’s not all fun in the sun at SoCal’s beaches. Erosion has cut back sand at many beloved spots, some so much so that we didn’t include them on the list; in the case of Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach, a replenishment project was needed to bring in 700,000 cubic yards.

Beach access is an ongoing battle as well. California has a coastal protection law unlike any other in the country. But the California Coastal Commission, the law’s steward, often is battling to uphold it.

The majority of beaches generally pass water quality tests over the summer (on average 95% of beaches in California do, according to environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay). But there are sporadic issues with bacteria levels at some sites, which may fluctuate due to a variety of reasons, including storm drain runoff, water circulation or high temperatures. Over Memorial Day and July Fourth weekends, public health agencies warned beachgoers to avoid bacteria-tainted water. The beaches on our list generally pass water quality tests during the summer, but a few have had temporary lapses in limited spots. If there’s something to note about water quality, we’ve mentioned it in the beach description.

You may be surprised to not see a favorite beach. That may just be because of consistent testing bummers. Still, we’ve recommended plenty to do when you can’t take a dip. Water quality is tested regularly, so check county public health sites and Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card tracker before you go. A good rule of thumb: Stay 100 yards in either direction from an outfall.