The Best Beach in Bay Area

Almaden Lake Park

Almaden Lake Park is San José's only park featuring a sand beach and swim area. Fish, boat, hike, wind surf, picnic and play volleyball or horseshoes. A snack bar offers beverages and light foods. Small shade canopies, inflatable kayaks, pedal... more

Asilomar State Beach

Located on the Monterey Peninsula in the city of Pacific Grove, Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds State Park provides visitors numerous opportunities for a variety of scenic walks along the State beach, Coast Trail, and through the Asilomar... more

Baker Beach

A secluded little area of golden sand, perfect for a picnic or just a stroll.   The views of the GG Bridge and across to Kirby Cove are amazing. more

Carmel Beach

White sand, beautiful sunsets, native cypress trees, walks, surfing, kites, sunbathing and picnics. Open 6am to 10pm. There is no leash law for dogs and fires are permitted on the beach south of 10th Avenue. Public restrooms and a public telephone... more

China Beach

China Beach is a small cove in San Francisco's Sea Cliff neighborhood. It lies between Baker Beach and Lands End and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area... The China Beach Cove was surrounded by walls that was once a camp for Chinese... more

Cowell's Beach

A great beach for beginner surfers. Cowell's is easily accessed by stairs off of West Cliff Drive or by surfers paddling out from the beach north of the wharf. Check out the current conditions at Cowell's. more

Half Moon Bay State Beach

Four miles of broad, sandy beaches stretch out to welcome visitors to Half Moon Bay. This picturesque setting is ideal for sunbathing, fishing and picnicking. A campground provides accommodations for those who wish to visit longer. The Half Moon Bay... more

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach offers a summer swimming beach on the Russian River as well as picnic areas, lawns, a par course, and restrooms. From July through Labor Day, a seasonal dam creates a calm swimming area just south of the histori... more

Linda Mar Beach - Pacifica State Beach

The most well-loved and well-used beach in Pacifica! Beach and parking lots hours are 5am to 10:30pm during Daylight Savings Time (Daylight Savings Time usually ends the first Sunday in November and resumes the second Sunday in March) 5am to 7pm in... more

Manresa State Beach

Manresa State Beach features a beautiful expanse of sea and sand, with surf fishing, surfing, and recreation.  more

Monterey State Beach

Natural Bridges State Beach

New Brighton Beach

The beach features picnic areas, swimming, fishing and a nearby forest of Monterey pine and Coastal Live Oak. The camping area is on a bluff overlooking northern Monterey Bay. more

Pescadero

Pescadero is a farming and ranching community near the Pescadero Marsh, a wildlife refuge. Pescadero Creek, the longest stream in San Mateo County, is an annual creek that empties into the Pacific Ocean near the town. Pescadero State Beach has sandy... more

Robert Crown Memorial State Beach

Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach is a narrow beach north of Pacifica State Beach in Linda Mar. It has dark sands, crashing surf and dramatic headlands that make it a well-known destination. more

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, just east of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and a short walk from downtown Santa Cruz, has enjoyed over a century of storied summers. It’s one of only two remaining seaside amusement parks on the West Coast, with... more

Seacliff State Beach

Fish, swim and visit the SS Palo Alto - one of the most unusual attractions in the Santa Cruz area. This long stretch of sand and bluffs has great accessible facilities including picnic areas, an interpretive center and RV camping. This beach is k... more

Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach is about a 35-minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge on California's Highway 1. It is near important attractions such as Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, and Mount Tamalpais. It has a long beach, where the cold water promotes... more