How to Enjoy California's Best Beaches

Not much beats a nice California beach on a sunny day.

Life's a beach in sunny California, and you won't find prettier stretches of sand anywhere in America. Here's a review of some of the very best beaches in the state, starting in northern California and heading south.

Things You'll Need

• Suntan lotion
• Shades
• Towels
• Cold Beverages

Instructions

1. The Black Sands Beach at Shelter Cove is a remote wonder on the "Lost Coast" of Humboldt County. The beach connects with the acclaimed 25-mile-long King Range hiking path and is a superb site for sunset and whale watching.

2. Big River Beach, just south of the village of Mendocino, can be potentially cold and windy any time of year-but its dramatic beauty and views make it a don't-miss stop for travelers along Highway 1. Bring sweatshirts and a blanket if you plan to stay long!

3. Stinson Beach is both a quintessential seaside town (about an hour north of San Francisco) and unbeatable expanse of oceanside sand. Dog lovers will relish the fact that half the beach is open to canines, and if you have time for lunch, make sure to try one of the high-quality but quirky cafés on Main Street.

4. Baker Beach is an iconic Bay Area outdoor escape, with its up-close view of the Golden Gate Bridge and notoriety-at least at the north end-as a sometimes nudist area. The approximately half-mile long beach is located near the famous span's south end and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; it's also known for being the first site of the Burning Man festival.

5. Santa Cruz has several excellent shorelines, but the very best might be Natural Bridges State Beach on West Cliff Drive. It's quieter than some of the others-particularly the compelling, but often-crowded Boardwalk Beach-and has some dramatic rocky cliffs; seasonal butterfly migrations are on view between October and January.

6. Laguna Beach in the OC is a lively and lovely oasis of bikini-clad volleyballers, surfers, dog walkers and just about every other slice of humanity you can imagine. And when you get tired of swimming and sunbathing, the city's downtown is one of the most colorful in California.

7. L.A.'s Venice Beach is another haven of people watching and superb sands. Street musicians, rollerbladers, beatniks and beautiful people abound-and the adjoining town has some hip bars and restaurants a stone's throw away.

8. San Diego's La Jolla Cove Beach is a minute gem popular with swimmers, snorklers and scuba divers. Photographers also enjoy snapping away at the palm-tree and cliff-lined landscapes, and minutes away the chi chi community of La Jolla boasts plenty of intriguing boutiques and top restaurants.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring layered clothing when hitting the beach in northern California.

• Take suntan lotion precautions when it's hot out!