12 West Coast Beaches & Lakes Warming Up Enough for a Swim
Let’s be real: West Coast beaches aren’t exactly known for their warm, bathwater vibes. In most places, it’s more like dip-a-toe-and-numb-your-soul levels of cold. But! As spring shifts into early summer, a handful of spots along the West Coast actually do warm up enough to make swimming, splashing, and floating way more enjoyable.
Whether you’re looking for salty waves or freshwater calm, here are beaches and lake where you won’t totally freeze your face off—and yes, it’s finally swim season in some of them.
Table of Contents
- 1. La Jolla Shores – San Diego, CA
- 2. Coronado Beach – Coronado, CA
- 3. Seacliff State Beach – Aptos, CA
- 4. Santa Monica Beach – Santa Monica, CA
- 5. Leo Carrillo State Beach – Malibu, CA
- 6. Lake Chelan – Chelan, WA
- 7. Skaha Lake Beach – Penticton, BC (bonus pick just over the border)
- 8. Avila Beach – San Luis Obispo County, CA
- 9. Crater Lake’s Cleetwood Cove (Oregon)
- 10. Huntington Beach – Huntington Beach, CA
- 11. Warm Water Cove (Lake Berryessa, CA)
- MORE ON THE WEST COAST:
1. La Jolla Shores – San Diego, CA
If you’re trying to ease into swimming season, La Jolla Shores is one of the warmest ocean beaches in California, thanks to SoCal sunshine and a wide, gentle bay. By late April to May, water temps start creeping into the high 60s, which is about as good as it gets without a wetsuit.
Bonus: the waves are mellow, there’s lifeguard coverage, and you can snorkel with leopard sharks (they’re harmless, promise).
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2. Coronado Beach – Coronado, CA
Just across the bay from San Diego, Coronado Beach is known for its soft, shimmery sand and warmer-than-average Pacific temps. It’s family-friendly, flat, and swimmable—and it usually hits its stride by May.
Stick around to grab fish tacos or a drink at the historic Hotel del Coronado afterward. It’s giving “beach day with a side of glam.”
3. Seacliff State Beach – Aptos, CA
Tucked into Monterey Bay, Seacliff gets a little coastal pocket warmth, and it’s one of the few NorCal beaches where the water isn’t absolutely glacial in late spring. The shallow entry makes it slightly more tolerable (we said slightly), especially on a sunny afternoon.
You’re still not in tropical territory, but if you time it right, it’s swimmable—and way less crowded than Santa Cruz.
4. Santa Monica Beach – Santa Monica, CA
This one’s a classic for a reason. Santa Monica is wide, iconic, and one of the more swimmer-friendly LA beaches. Water temps get into the high 60s by June, and the beach has showers, rentals, and lifeguards galore.
Add in a post-swim stroll on the pier and you’ve got a full day of sun-soaked fun. Just bring sunscreen—the reflection off the sand is no joke.
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5. Leo Carrillo State Beach – Malibu, CA
Want a beach that feels a little wild but still good for a dip? Head to Leo Carrillo. It’s got rocky coves, tide pools, and long sandy stretches. The water is definitely brisk, but the shallow tide pools warm up faster than open ocean, making it a great place to splash around without turning into a popsicle.
Great for: families, dog owners, and people who don’t mind a bit of kelp drama.
6. Lake Chelan – Chelan, WA
If the Pacific is just not it for you, Lake Chelan is the inland escape you need. It’s crystal clear, surrounded by rolling hills, and actually gets warm—like, swimmable-in-May/June warm.
By late spring, the surface temps start climbing, and by summer it’s downright perfect. You’ll find public beaches, docks, and even lakefront wine tasting if that’s your post-swim vibe.
7. Skaha Lake Beach – Penticton, BC (bonus pick just over the border)
Okay, technically not the U.S., but Skaha Lake is close enough to count—and it’s one of the warmest lakes in the Pacific Northwest. The beach is sandy, the water gets into the 70s in summer, and it’s a fave among locals who want that “West Coast summer” without needing a wetsuit.
If you’re road-tripping through Washington anyway, it’s worth the hop over the border.
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8. Avila Beach – San Luis Obispo County, CA
Tucked in a south-facing cove, Avila Beach gets more sun and less wind than its neighbors, making it one of the warmer ocean spots on the Central Coast. It’s swimmable earlier in the season than most CA beaches—and the mellow waves are perfect for floating or SUP-ing around.
Also: sea otters. Enough said.
9. Crater Lake’s Cleetwood Cove (Oregon)
Technically not warm. Like, at all. But still worth mentioning since this summer is your last chance to swim here for years. The Cleetwood Cove Trail will close after this season for renovations, cutting off all lake access.
So if you want to say you swam in one of the clearest and deepest lakes in the world, suck it up and take the plunge. Hypothermia never looked so cool.
10. Huntington Beach – Huntington Beach, CA
Surf City USA isn’t just for surfers—Huntington Beach has some of the warmest waters in SoCal by early summer. By June, it’s often in the upper 60s to low 70s. It’s got long sandy beaches, lots of lifeguards, and easy access to shops and food.
Great for swimming, boogie boarding, or just doing that “walk out until your legs go numb and then run back” routine.
11. Warm Water Cove (Lake Berryessa, CA)
Yes, it’s actually called Warm Water Cove, and yes, it lives up to the name. This inland lake near Napa Valley heats up earlier than you’d expect, with sheltered coves and lots of sunshine.
It’s not fancy, but it’s warm, swimmable, and a perfect post-wine tasting cool-down if you’re in the area.
MORE ON THE WEST COAST:
READ MORE: The Best of Oregon
READ MORE: The Best of Washington
READ MORE: The Best of California
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