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Jul 13, 2024 · From San Fransisco up to the state border, there are around 300 beaches to discover—but here are our personal favorite northern California beaches!
- Bodega Bay. Bodega Bay lies on the northern California coast about one hour outside San Francisco, along the Sonoma County stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Crescent City. Crescent City is a small northern California beach town that’s close to Canada’s border. Not only does it offer a gorgeous shoreline, but it’s also home to Redwood National Park and the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
- Eureka. Eureka is a postcard-worthy town in the heart of the Redwood Coast. It’s filled with picture-perfect beaches, redwood forests, and historic architecture.
- Fort Bragg. Enjoy the ultimate northern California coast experience in Fort Bragg. Not only does Fort Bragg offer a magical experience in nature, but this port city also has one of the most impressive northern California beaches, Glass Beach.
- Fort Funston Beach. Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Funston Beach has hiking trails along the bluff and two routes down to the beach.
- Montara State Beach. Montara State Beach is a wide mile-long beach just north of Montara along the San Mateo County Coast. Behind the beach are stunning sculpted sandstone cliffs making this a very photogenic spot.
- Ross Cove Beach. Ross Cove Beach is on the north side of Pillar Point between Half Moon Bay and the city of Moss Beach. The cove is inside the boundary of the San Mateo County-operated Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
- Rodeo Beach. Rodeo Beach is a wide sandy beach on the sand spit that separates Rodeo Lagoon from Rodeo Cove on the west side of the Marin Headlands in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
- Half Moon Bay
- Bodega Bay
- Pacific Grove
- Crescent City
- Fort Bragg
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Stinson Beach
- Eureka
- Santa Cruz: Northern California Beach Towns
- Mendocino
Even though it is only about 1 hour south of San Francisco, you'll feel like you are in a different world when you visit Half Moon Bay. This beautiful area will give you a wide range of activities no matter what you like to do, including horseback riding, hiking, cycling, bird watching, golfing, cruising along a bike, or sunbathing, depending on th...
Another delightful beach town that is well worth the visit is Bodega Bay. I love this one because, depending on our route, you can either cruise the whole way by the coast or hit the wine country on the way. You will find great ocean views, and the beach here is beautiful. You can even take horseback rides on the beach if you want. What makes the v...
If you decide to go in the other direction, you will find the beautiful town of Pacific Grove about 2 hours south of SF. This is another one of the gorgeous northern California beach towns as its population is only about 15,000. Pacific Grove is one of the most peaceful locations you will find anywhere. Their cute downtown area offers several great...
Heading back up north, we go towards Crescent City, about a 6-hour drive away from San Francisco. It is another small northern California beach town with about 7,000 people in it and is mostly a stopping point as people travel back and forth from Oregon to California. However, don't let that stop you from visiting, as it is full of wonders and grea...
The first thing that you will hear from other people when you mention Fort Bragg is "Are you going to visit Glass Beach?" As you can guess, that is because there is a beach with all kinds of colored glass on it. Luckily, the waves have worn down the glass, which is rounded and quite beautiful. This small town is also full of cute stories, great par...
Just about 15 minutes south of Pacific Grove, you have the tiny beach town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, with a population of around 3,000 residents. Even though it's small, you will find a lot of fun things to do here. You can do a little shopping, check out their incredible art galleries, or do a little wine tasting. The historic Carmel Mission is here a...
Like many Northern California coastal towns, Stinson Beach has its roots in the late 19th century during the region's rise in dairy farming. Just over half an hour's drive from the Golden Gate Bridge, the town is now a popular vacation destination for people looking to spend time away from the city. The beach is a major attraction because it's wide...
Among the larger northern California coastal cities in California, Eureka has a rich history and played a significant role in the logging industry that drove much of the region. Founded on Humboldt Bay in the middle of the 19th century, the city was also involved in the California Gold Rush. Before that, it had been home to the indigenous Wiyot peo...
Sitting in a prime spot overlooking Monterey Bay, about 1.5 hours south of San Francisco, is the famous and thriving city of Santa Cruz. With a choice of stunning beaches on a spectacular coastline, this city has a rich cultural history and one also famed for its surf culture. The historic Boardwalk, which dates from 1907, cemented the city's popul...
A fascinating small town on a headland surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Mendocino has become a popular tourist destination despite having a population of only around 1000 people. This charming Northern California coastal town offers a surprising number of guest houses and bed and breakfast options, and the small and secluded beach is a great place ...
- Manhattan Beach in Half Moon Bay. Manhattan Beach, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, USA. Manhattan Beach (not to be confused with the more bustling one by the same name in Los Angeles County) is a peaceful stretch of shoreline that’s adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.
- Doran Regional Beach in Bodega Bay. 201 Doran Beach Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA. Phone +1 707-875-3540. Web Visit website. Those looking to break up a wine country getaway with a beach day can slip away to Doran Regional Park, a two-mile spit on Bodega Bay’s harbor.
- Capitola State Beach. Capitola State Beach, Capitola, CA 95010, USA. Capitola Venetian Hotel’s double row of rainbow suites perched on the sands may draw comparisons to Mediterranean hotspots, but Capitola State Beach is a destination in its own right.
- Rodeo Beach. Rodeo Beach, California 94941, USA. Rodeo Beach is bordered by the rip-roaring Pacific Ocean on one side and placid lagoon waters on the other.
Jan 16, 2021 · Northern California has no shortage of the best beaches for a family trip, from sandy beaches to dramatic shores. Here’s a quick guide to show our top picks. Editor’s Choice. Ross Cove Beach. After a satisfying jog in Pillar Point Bluff Park, head down to Ross Cove Beach inside the James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Family-Friendliness: 5/5.
The Northern California Coast includes the San Francisco Bay Area and the vast coastline north all the way to the border with Oregon. This region has many wild and windswept beaches that are excellent for beachcombing.
