Experience the breathtaking beauty of the 10 best beaches on the West Coast

USA Today 10 Best
·4 min read

Beaches on the West Coast of the country are known for their scenic beauty, diverse landscapes and vibrant culture. It's easy to find a beach that has exactly what you're looking for, whether you want to surf, sail, swim, hike or simply relax on the sand.

With over 1,000 miles of coastline, beaches range from rugged and rocky to sandy and sunny. Here are the 10 best beaches on the West Coast, according to readers.

No. 10: Zuma Beach - Malibu, California

A quintessential Southern California beach experience with a family-friendly atmosphere, Malibu’s Zuma Beach is a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. 10Best contributor Jenny Peters says, "Zuma has it all, from surfing and beach volleyball to food stands, plenty of parking and wide sand that's perfect for just hanging out and watching the migrating whales go by."

No. 9: Dana Strands Beach - Dana Point, California

In addition to sunbathing, surfing and enjoying the beautiful views, visitors to Dana Strands Beach in California enjoy exploring the tide pools that form at low tide. Access to the beach is via a fenced-in path and stairs that descend to the beach joining a boardwalk at the bottom. There is also a funicular, or tram, that takes visitors up and down if they're unable to hike.

No. 8: Black's Beach - La Jolla, California

Black's Beach is a difficult-to-get-to beach in La Jolla that rewards the ambitious with stunning cliffs and pristine sands. The challenging trails to the beach descend 300 feet down steep cliffs and visitors are warned to stay on the maintained paths. Despite the difficulty and dangers, surfers love this beach for the big winter swells and nudists like it for the clothing-optional section on the beach’s north end.

Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach, Oregon

No. 7: Cannon Beach - Cannon Beach, Oregon

Featuring a vast expanse of sandy shoreline, the iconic Cannon Beach is framed by majestic rock formations, including the famous Haystack Rock. In addition to beautiful views, the beach offers opportunities for beachcombing, tide pooling and birdwatching, and it's popular for leisurely strolls and sunset views.

A group of brown pelicans make their way toward water after being released at Fort Baker on Friday in Sausalito. Seven young brown pelicans were released into the wild in Northern California after spending weeks at an aviary recovering from malnutrition. They are among more than 80 sick and starving pelicans taken in by the group throughout the state since April. It's unclear what's making the young birds sick, but the group suspects the fish they eat may be going farther away from the beach because of warming ocean waters.

No. 6: Baker Beach - San Francisco, California

Baker Beach is a popular beach located in the northwest corner of San Francisco, featuring breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. According to Dave Stamboulis, 10Best contributor, "Any beach with such a jaw-dropping view of the Golden Gate Bridge deserves a 'best beach' title!" Visitors can wear swimsuits, or not, as there is a clothing-optional section on the north end of the beach.

A golfer and his caddy walk down the fairway as the Carmel beach is seen in the background during the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022.
A golfer and his caddy walk down the fairway as the Carmel beach is seen in the background during the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022.

No. 5: Carmel Beach - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Located on a picturesque stretch of California coastline is Carmel Beach. Known for pristine white sand, stunning turquoise water and scenic views of Carmel Bay and Pebble Beach, this beach is a popular spot for sunbathing, surfing and cozying by a beach bonfire to enjoy the sunset. This is a dog-friendly beach that even allows dogs off-leash to romp along the sandy shores.

No. 4: Windansea Beach - La Jolla, California

Windansea Beach, located in La Jolla, California, is known for its great surf breaks, rugged rocky coastline and unique sandy coves. The beach is a popular spot for experienced surfers, tide pooling and sunbathing. Windansea Beach is also home to an historic surf shack.

No. 3: Oceanside Harbor Beach - Oceanside, California

This sandy California beach offers a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, with gentle waves suitable for swimming, boogie boarding and surfing. Oceanside Harbor Beach is also known for its iconic pier, where visitors can stroll, fish or enjoy panoramic ocean views. According to 10Best contributor Marla Cimini, "This beach town is experiencing a big resurgence and transforming into a charming destination with a picturesque shoreline."

No. 2: La Jolla Shores Beach - La Jolla, California

One of San Diego’s most popular beaches, La Jolla Shores Beach is a coastal gem featuring a mile of expansive sandy beach and clear turquoise waters. The beach offers excellent swimming and snorkeling and is also a favorite spot for learning to surf, thanks to its gentle waves and sandy bottom. It's also known for its abundant marine life, including colorful fish, seals and sea lions.

Wind blows through palm trees at Oxnard Beach Park on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
Wind blows through palm trees at Oxnard Beach Park on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

No. 1: Oxnard Beach Park - Oxnard, California

Oxnard Beach Park is a palm-studded coastal park with grassy rolling dunes and a gorgeous stretch of sandy beach located in Oxnard, California. The beach is ideal for swimming, surfing and sunbathing. Popular for its lack of commercialism, expert Kristen Lummis notes, "Possibly the most undeveloped beach in California. Yes, there are private homes, but no vendors, no pressure, nothing but soft sand and rolling waves as you look west."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The 10 best beaches on the West Coast: Where to soak up sun