The 10 best beach towns in California right now

Although this beach community is only 15 minutes from LAX, Playa del Rey has an old school beach town vibe that makes you forget Los Angeles is just around the corner. Residents often greet each other in the street or at the numerous hidden gem restaurants. This narrow sliver south of Marina del Rey sits between the ocean and the Ballona Wetlands, home to hundreds of bird species. Head to Toes Beach at the northernmost part to surf and walk the long and wide Dockweiler State Beach to watch commercial airliners taking off above you.

Right in the heart of SoCal beach country is Dana Point, a perfect getaway between Los Angeles and San Diego. An idyllic surfing destination, beginners should head to Doheny State Beach with easy waves to learn on.

Rather sail the waves than ride them? Dana Point is the dolphin and whale watching capital of the world, with plenty of boat tours to see them. Make sure to spend some time down at the beautiful harbor, chowing down on locally caught seafood – and some time on the cliffs above it, gazing out at the harbor lights against the open ocean.

Up north on the remarkable Mendocino Coast sits Fort Bragg, a historical gem of California to explore. While it may not be a traditional beach town, this is still a must-visit and the first stop should be Glass Beach, where pieces of sea glass mingle with rocks in the tucked-away coves. Glass Beach is a part of MacKerricher State Park, where beaches, dunes, headlands, bluff, and wetlands all combine for one unique experience. The active Noyo Harbor provides an opportunity for boating excursions and kayaking to soak in the views.

Cayucos is a small, unincorporated beach town on Estero Bay in Central California’s San Luis Obispo County. Stop by to take advantage of the license-free fishing off of the Cayucos Pier, which is also lit for night fishing. Take it a step further and try surfing or paddle boarding at the pier, which has ideal conditions for both. The town embraces its past with plenty of antiques shopping and historical buildings of interest in between strolls on Cayucos State Beach.

On the shores of Monterey Bay, five miles south of Santa Cruz, is Capitola, the West Coast’s oldest beach resort. Brightly painted Mediterranean-style buildings of the Capitola Venetian Hotel greet you from the water’s edge and local shops abound on the hillside above the water. Spend time on Capitola Beach, strolling over to the Capitola Wharf for fishing or taking in live music during summer evenings. At the end of the day, pick one of the restaurants that sit on the beach for a sunset dinner against the Bay.

Situated between Los Angeles and San Francisco sits the charming town of Cambria on the Central Coast. Walk the mile boardwalk to spy marine life and watch the water crash against the craggy coastline of Moonstone Beach. For a more up-close experience, head to the Piedras Blancas Rookery, home to a colony of up to 25,000 elephant seals. Rent a bike for shopping and wine-tasting; alternatively, jump in the car to visit the infamous Hearst Castle about six miles away.

Perhaps a more relaxed cousin to the nearby towns of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey, Pacific Grove sits at the tip of the Monterey Peninsula. Stop by for a tour of the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which has been in service since 1855.

If you’re in a romantic mood, spend some time at Lover Point Beach, where you can surprisingly watch the sun rise over the water and hit your surfboard to ride some very reliable waves. In October, come see why Pacific Grove is known as 'Butterfly Town USA' when thousands of monarchs migrate to the Monarch Sanctuary.

Romance is in the fresh air of the small, artsy beach town of Mendocino. Known as the 'Victorian Village by the Sea', it is consistently counted as one of the most picturesque places in California.

Sharp, rocky bluffs jut out into the sea while adorable saltbox cottages and charming Victorian inns dot Mendocino’s coastline. The stunning Jug Handle State Natural Reserve marries ocean and forest with a lovely sandy beach; pull off of Highway 1 for picnicking and sunbathing at Big River Beach.

East of Santa Barbara lies the laid back town of Carpinteria, home of the 'World’s Safest Beach'. Carpinteria State Beach faces southward and is protected by the Channel Islands, leaving a gradual incline with few rip tides.

Bike or hike the bluffs Coastal Vista Trail to the Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve, to spy where seals give birth to pups on the shore. Plan ahead and schedule your visit during the California Avocado Festival, with 100,000 visitors stopping by Carpinteria’s downtown for food and music.

There is no mistaking the distinct view from the town of Morro Bay, where the volcanic mass of Morro Rock protrudes almost 600ft out of the water. Six miles of beaches allows for countless hours and viewpoints of the stunning scenery, including sunset on Morro Beach to watch the light sink against Morro Rock. Nature reigns in this delightful coastal community, where every year bird watchers come to the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival and visitors can find sea otters in the Morro Bay Natural Estuary.