The 6 Best Beaches in Southern California

- The best beaches in southern California for families
- The best beaches in southern California to take pictures
- The least crowded beaches in southern California
Best Beaches in Southern California for Families

Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica is the perfect beach for families looking for more than a beach getaway. Santa Monica has your typical beach activities—surfing, swimming, and beach volleyball. But, the beach also has fun fair rides, carnival games, and arcade games to keep your kids entertained. If you decide to check out Santa Monica, be sure to grab your favorite soft serve and stick around for the sunset! This pier has some of the most beautiful sunsets southern California has to offer, so don’t miss out.Corona Del Mar State Beach
Corona Del Mar State Beach is located in Orange County. It is perfect if you want a fun-filled day of building sand castles, sun-bathing, and barbecuing. I recommend watching Gilligan’s Island before visiting Corona Del Mar. You’re sure to see some familiar sights since the film was shot here! This beach is also known for its killer waves and sunsets, so come prepared to swim and snap lots of photos. Be sure to end your night by roasting some marshmallows at a bonfire by the beach. Don’t forget to bring a sweatshirt, as it can get a bit chilly there at night time.Best Beaches In Southern California to Take Pictures

Victoria Beach/Laguna Beach
Victoria Beach is part of the infamous Laguna Beach. It has a beautiful castle nestled right near the water. It looks like it’s straight out of a movie, and the sunsets here are to die for. Every time I think of visiting Victoria Beach, I get a Bridgerton meets The Little Mermaid vibe. This is the go-to spot if you’re looking for the most Instagrammable beach in southern California. Be sure to snap a photo during golden hour! It will show your followers the natural beauty this beautiful beach has to offer.Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach is another beautiful beach. It is home to picturesque California sunsets. My sister happens to live here, and I can’t even count the times I have seen photoshoots happening there. I’ve even been lucky enough to see a sunset proposal happen Maybe you want to snap a photo on the beautiful Huntington Pier. Or shoot a boomerang of you riding your roller skates down the boardwalk. The beautiful back-drop this beach has to offer will never disappoint. I also find Huntington Beach is less crowded than some of the other more popular beaches. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to snap a photo away from the crowds.Least Crowded Beaches in Southern California

Thousand Steps Beach
A thousand steps sounds like a lot, but I promise you don’t actually have to walk 1000 steps to get to this beach. Though it is a bit of a hike to get here, the views and seclusion this beach offers is unlike any other. The journey to this beach is what keeps many people from visiting, but if you are willing to go the extra mile to get here, you will not be disappointed. This beach is home to rock caves that transport you to your own little beach paradise. Be sure to walk all the way down the cove, because at the end there are two swimming pools that offer breathtaking views of the ocean. It is quite literally like nothing I have ever experienced before.Torrance Beach
This beach is located off the Santa Monica Bay. But, it couldn’t be more different from the hustle and bustle of Santa Monica Beach. This is a hidden spot that’s perfect for people looking to soak up some sun, or spend the day surfing. This beach also features a bike path that beachgoers can use, that leads all the way up to Malibu. Are you looking for a paradise that offers both serenity but also a variety of activities? Then Torrance Beach is perfect for you!Help Protect our One World Ocean

- Clean up after themselves while at the beach,
- Donate to causes like Ocean Blue
- Implement low-waste practices