17 Northern California Beaches That Will BLOW YOU AWAY!
When you think of incredible beaches around the world, northern California beaches may not be the first place that comes to mind, yet they are filled with some of the most stunning expanses of sand or tiny, hard-to-get-to-coves.
The diverse and rocky landscape is a far cry from a tourist resort, yet the wild, windswept landscape has a magical allure.
There are beaches for sunbathing, wildlife viewing, photographers, and sunset chasers.
From San Fransisco up to the state border, there are around 300 beaches to discover—but here are our personal favorite northern California beaches!
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Table of Contents
- 1. Carmel Beach
- 2. Monterey State Beach
- 3. Santa Cruz Beach
- 4. Shark Fin Cove
- 5. Cove Beach
- 6. Surfers Beach
- 7. Pacifica State Beach
- 8. Baker Beach
- 9. Rodeo Beach
- 10. Stinson State Beach
- 11. Kehoe Beach
- 12. Goat Rock Beach
- 13. Stump Beach
- 14. Big River Beach
- 15. Caspar Headlands State Beach
- 16. Gold Bluffs Beach
- 17. Crescent Beach
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1. Carmel Beach
Stroll down Ocean Avenue and wait for the expansive Carmel Beach to open up before you; you won’t be disappointed.
If the beach is known for one thing, it’s its surfing scene, thanks to its consistent waves.
That’s far from all this scenic beach has to offer, however. The sunsets here are some of the best of the Northern California beaches, with locals and visitors bringing picnics and a few drinks to watch one of nature’s best shows.
This really is a picture-perfect beach, with soft, silvery sand (so silvery and soft that an annual sandcastle competition is held here).
Its central location in Carmel by the Sea makes it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and due to its city beach status, dogs are welcome, too.
2. Monterey State Beach
Monterey State Beach is the type of beach people head to for the action, just as much as for the relaxation.
It’s not unusual to see scuba divers bobbing out on the surf, beachcombers in competition trying to find the most impressive sea glass, surfers and kayakers taking to the water, or paragliders and kite surfers putting their trust in the wind.
For those who enjoy the calmer side of life, check out a few tide pools that some of the smaller ocean dwellers call their home. Or you can take a stroll from Fisherman’s Wharf, where the beach begins, all the way to Seaside.
3. Santa Cruz Beach
Buzzing boardwalks, lights, and plenty of action are what spring to mind when thinking about Santa Cruz Beach.
The beach sits right in the center of Santa Cruz, attracting people of all ages and walks of life to enjoy its fine sands and amusements.
The waves are generally calm, and during the summer months, lifeguards are on duty, making it a popular family affair, with picnics, volleyball and beach games.
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is one of the most well-known city attractions, with arcade games and thrill rides, plus it’s a great place to walk to enjoy sea and coastal views.
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4. Shark Fin Cove
One of the more unusual beaches in California is Shark Fin Cove, found near Santa Cruz. It’s undeniable as soon as you set eyes on the beach why it got this unique name.
For a start, the beach sits in a perfect crescent cove, and secondly, the huge rock that stands guard, jutting out of the water in front of the beach, looks remarkably like a shark fin.
When down at the beach, there is a lot to explore, including a large sea cave, and it’s soon evident that this beach is full of geological wonders. Keep an eye on the tide and only explore the cave if it’s safe.
If the tide is out, you’ll be able to make all photographers envious with a photo of the shark fin perfectly framed looking out of the cave.
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5. Cove Beach
Cove Beach is one of the most picturesque Northern California beaches, with fine white sands backed by small cliffs.
With most visitors flocking to Ano Nuevo State Park to see the resident elephant seals, this gorgeous beach often gets overlooked, but it has a lot to offer.
In addition to the soft sands, there’s great surf, intriguing sea caves, and meandering trails surrounding the beach.
6. Surfers Beach
Located just to the south of Pillar Point Harbor is Surfers Beach, which is, unsurprisingly, a surfers’ hotspot.
It is just one of the many beaches in the Half Moon Bay area. The beach is known for its consistent waves thanks to the harbor’s jetty, meaning the swell is perfect for most surfing levels.
If surfing is not your thing, head down to the coast to watch the surfers in action.
A popular coastal trail also runs near the beach along the shore. Free parking makes for easy access, and the beach is dog-friendly, meaning your furry pal can join in all the fun.
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7. Pacifica State Beach
Yes, it is unusual that one of Pacifica State Beach’s most defining points is its Taco Bell, but there we go.
The Pacifica Taco Bell, sitting just off the beach, is unquestionably one of the most beautiful Taco Bells in the country, or maybe even the world, but the beach is pretty good, too!
The long, wide stretch of sand sits in a huge cove, backed largely by sand dunes. Rockaway Trail also starts here for a great coast stroll with incredible views.
If you would rather be on the water, it is a surfing hot spot, or during low tide, tide pooling is a popular activity. With picnic tables, BBQs, and plenty of other facilities, it is a popular spot to spend the whole day soaking up all of what nature has to offer.
8. Baker Beach
You would have thought that any beach that offers such epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge would be swarming with tourists, but it’s pretty chill here at Baker Beach.
Bring some lunch and make a day of it using the shady picnic area in the cypress trees behind the beach.
The beach has a front-and-center view of the channel that heads into the bay, so you have a good chance of spotting some local wildlife, such as sea lions, whales, and dolphins.
Although it may be tempting in the summer, this is not a beach for swimming due to strong currents, plus it is freezing!
Oh, and just a note, the northern part of the beach is clothing-optional, so don’t be alarmed if you see a few scantily clad people about.
9. Rodeo Beach
Beaches with water on both sides are pretty unique, and Rodeo Beach is one of them.
It’s not the most peaceful of Northern California beaches, with blustering winds and a wild feel, but if you are coming from nearby San Fran, you’ll be used to the winds.
The crescent of sand is surrounded by spectacular rocky scenery, including the large lagoon that backs the beach.
The lagoon is a bird-watching paradise, with tons of species found there throughout the year, including pelicans, sandpipers, and sanderlings, to name a few.
Don’t be surprised to find the north of the beach covered in tiny multicolored stones carried along the creek.
Surfing and skimboarding are popular activities for adrenaline seekers, or you can climb up to the top of the cliff and look down on all the action.
10. Stinson State Beach
Escape the busy beaches of San Francisco and head up the coast to Stinson State Beach, a jewel of the Muir Woods and Tamalpais area.
You could walk for miles on the soft golden sands, dip your toes into the freezing waters, play games with friends and family, or have a volleyball game.
In addition to being a family-friendly beach, it is also a surfing hotspot, with the best times for surfing around winter and spring, taken over by bodyboarders in the summer months.
Windsurfers also take to the water here. Although a beach filled with action, it’s also a great place to chill out on a towel, with regular visits to the nearby snack bar.
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11. Kehoe Beach
Located along the dramatic Point Reyes National Seashore, Kehoe Beach is stunning. To get to the sand, follow a half-mile path from the road. Before long, the sand opens out in front of you, backed by grassy cliffs and fronted by thunderous waves.
The beach is home to some incredible rock formations, some millions of years old. Look for a variety of shorebirds and watch the ground for sand bubbles created by mole crabs as the water retreats.
From the beach, it is possible to keep walking for miles and miles, but you should at least take the time to stroll to Kehoe Marsh and see if you are lucky enough to witness the beautiful Great Blue Herons.
READ MORE:
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12. Goat Rock Beach
Although the sea stacks, crashing waves, and huge sand dunes are impressive, they do not compare to the mystery that is Goat Rock itself. The huge sea stack is barely attached to the land and is home to an impressive arch.
The beach is a wildlife haven.
All sorts of sea birds flock to the shoreline in the hope of tasty snacks, whales can often be spotted through the winter months, and in the spring, a sandy spit forms along the mouth of the Russian River, and gets filled with huge numbers of Pacific Harbor seals and their babies.
One of the best hikes in the area, the Kortum Trail, leads directly from the beach and goes up and over the bluffs for epic views.
13. Stump Beach
Locked in a deep and scenic cove, you’ll discover Stump Beach in Salt Point State Park. You’ll feel like you have found a hidden paradise, with a tall rocky overhang almost completely surrounding the beach.
A steep trail takes you from the parking lot to the shore, which can sometimes be a bit of a scramble. If you want to stay up on the bluff and look down at the sand, there are a few trails that wind around the windswept bluffs.
Even in the summer, this crescent of protected sand is rarely busy, meaning plenty of room to lay down a towel or pull up a bit of driftwood and get lost in a good book.
14. Big River Beach
We will put it out there: Big River Beach is probably the most iconic of all the Mendocino beaches, and there are a lot. While it is one of the most popular beaches, its size means you will still feel like you have it to yourself.
The beach changes shape and size depending on how the winter storms have arranged the sand, especially as this is where Big River makes its way into the ocean.
One of the best activities on the beach is to grab a canoe or kayak and launch it into the estuary, but really, this is the sort of beach where sunbathing and strolling are the number one activities.
15. Caspar Headlands State Beach
The perfect cove of Casper Headlands State Beach is nestled on the Mendocino coast and is relatively undiscovered by tourists.
The cove is surrounded by tall cliffs, which helps to keep it a little sheltered, and the streams that run down either side of the beach are teeming with sea creatures.
Seals frolic along the shore, and the area is known for being a successful spot for whale viewing. The sunsets are out of this world. A number of hiking trails wind their way along the bluffs, leading to some of the most incredible coastal overlooks.
16. Gold Bluffs Beach
Gold Bluffs is a huge beach located within Redwoods National and State Parks. Its soft grey sand stretches for miles, but while relaxing on the sand, don’t dare close your eyes!
You could spot huge elk in the treeline, humpback whales out to sea, or sea lions on the rocks—and that’s before mentioning the tons of birds that fly overhead.
To reach the beach, you need to follow a long gravel track to the parking lot. An entrance pass and reservation are needed, which could be why the beach is always blissfully quiet.
Many people combine a trip here with the beautiful Fern Canyon Loop Trail and a stay in the campsite nestled in the dunes.
17. Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach can be found just to the south of Crescent City, and as the name suggests, it is a long crescent-shaped beach that seems to stretch on and on.
At three miles, it’s one of the bigger northern California beaches.
In the winter, the sea can get angry here, tossing huge chunks of driftwood onto the shore, but in the calmer summer, they make the perfect resting spot after a beach stroll or a makeshift picnic table.
There is plenty of room for everyone in the fine sand, whether you’re there to relax, fly a kite, beach comb, tide pool, or be at one with nature.
Ensure you head up to the Crescent Beach overlook for incredible views of the whole beach and the sea stacks off the shore. If you time it right, you’ll discover some of the best Northern California beach sunsets.
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We hope this helped you choose the best beaches in northern California to visit!
