California Coastal Towns With Public Beaches

California’s coastline stretches over 800 miles, offering some of the most stunning beach destinations in the United States.

From the rugged cliffs of the north to the sunny shores of the south, countless charming coastal towns welcome visitors with open arms and public beach access.

These communities combine natural beauty with small-town hospitality, making them perfect getaway spots for families, surfers, and anyone seeking ocean breezes.

Public beaches mean everyone can enjoy the sand and surf without worrying about private property restrictions.

Whether you’re looking for tide pools to explore, waves to ride, or simply a peaceful place to watch the sunset, California’s coastal towns deliver unforgettable experiences.

Each destination on this list offers its own unique character, from artistic communities to historic fishing villages.

Pack your sunscreen, grab your beach towel, and get ready to discover seven wonderful California coastal towns where public beaches await your footprints in the sand.

1. Santa Cruz

Picture a place where the smell of saltwater taffy mingles with ocean spray, and the sound of carousel music drifts across sun-warmed sand.

Santa Cruz has been California’s beach playground since the 1800s, and it still captures hearts with its perfect blend of vintage charm and modern beach culture.

The iconic Beach Boardwalk stands as the oldest surviving seaside amusement park on the West Coast, featuring the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster that’s been thrilling riders since 1924.

Main Beach spreads out right in front of the boardwalk, offering easy public access and lifeguard protection during summer months.

Volleyball nets dot the sand, and the gentle waves make this spot ideal for beginning surfers and families with young children.

Beyond the main stretch, Santa Cruz boasts numerous other public beaches along its coastline.

Natural Bridges State Beach showcases remarkable rock formations and serves as a winter home for migrating monarch butterflies.

Cowell Beach attracts longboarders who appreciate its mellow waves, while experienced surfers head to Steamer Lane to tackle more challenging breaks.

Downtown Santa Cruz sits just blocks from the beach, filled with surf shops, bookstores, and restaurants serving everything from fish tacos to farm-to-table cuisine.

The Santa Cruz Wharf extends into Monterey Bay, providing opportunities to spot sea lions lounging beneath the pilings.

Visitors can grab clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls while watching pelicans dive for fish.

The town’s laid-back atmosphere welcomes everyone, from university students to retirees seeking California’s endless summer.

2. Carmel-by-the-Sea

Fairy-tale cottages with whimsical architecture line streets without sidewalks or streetlights in this storybook village.

Carmel-by-the-Sea feels like stepping into an artist’s dream, where creativity and natural beauty merge seamlessly.

The town’s founding by artists and writers in the early 1900s still influences its character today, with dozens of galleries showcasing paintings, sculptures, and photography.

Carmel Beach curves along the western edge of town, featuring powdery white sand that squeaks beneath your feet.

The beach remains completely free and open to the public, with easy access from Scenic Road and several other entry points.

Dogs are welcome to run off-leash here, making it one of California’s most beloved pet-friendly beaches.

On any given day, you’ll see golden retrievers chasing tennis balls into the surf while their owners stroll the shoreline.

The water stays chilly year-round, but that doesn’t stop wetsuit-clad surfers from catching waves at the beach’s south end.

Cypress trees frame the northern section, their twisted branches sculpted by constant ocean winds into living works of art.

When hunger strikes, Ocean Avenue leads directly from the beach into the village center.

Tiny courtyards hide cafes serving European-style pastries, while cozy restaurants offer fresh seafood and local wines.

No chain stores interrupt the town’s unique character, even the buildings avoid traditional street addresses, instead using charming names like “Hansel” or “Sea Urchin.”

Sunset at Carmel Beach draws photographers and romantics who gather to watch the sun sink into the Pacific, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.

3. Cayucos

Time moves differently in Cayucos, where the biggest decision might be whether to order the fish and chips before or after your beach walk.

This tiny Central Coast gem remains refreshingly unpolished, lacking the tourist crowds that swamp more famous neighbors.

The town’s wooden pier stretches 940 feet into the Pacific, inviting anglers who cast lines hoping for perch, rockfish, or the occasional halibut.

Cayucos State Beach runs along the town’s waterfront, offering wide expanses of sand perfect for building castles, flying kites, or simply spreading out a blanket.

Gentle waves make swimming safer here than at many California beaches, though the water temperature still requires a bit of courage for most swimmers.

Families appreciate the easy parking and clean facilities, plus the beach’s proximity to downtown means restrooms and food are always close by.

Surfers find decent breaks on either side of the pier, especially during winter swells.

The town itself maintains an Old West atmosphere, with false-front buildings housing antique shops, a famous tavern, and the beloved Brown Butter Cookie Company.

Locals and visitors line up outside this tiny bakery for sea salt cookies that have achieved near-legendary status.

Cass House, a restored Victorian mansion, serves upscale dinners featuring Central Coast ingredients.

Every Fourth of July, Cayucos hosts a parade that perfectly captures the town’s quirky spirit, tractors, vintage cars, and locals in creative costumes march down Ocean Avenue.

The annual Car Show attracts classic automobile enthusiasts who display their restored treasures along the beachfront.

Cayucos proves that California’s best beach experiences don’t require fancy resorts or crowded boardwalks, just honest sand, reliable waves, and friendly faces.

4. Ventura

Golden sunshine seems to follow Ventura around, blessing this unpretentious city with over 300 days of beautiful weather annually.

Located where Highway 101 meets the Pacific Ocean, Ventura combines excellent beaches with a historic downtown that rewards exploration.

San Buenaventura State Beach and Ventura Beach stretch along the coast, connected by a paved promenade perfect for biking, skating, or leisurely walks.

Surfers paddle out at several breaks, including the popular C Street spot where consistent waves roll in year-round.

The Ventura Pier extends into the ocean, providing fishing opportunities and stunning views back toward the Santa Ynez Mountains.

Families spread blankets on the sand while kids splash in the relatively calm waters protected by offshore Channel Islands.

Beach volleyball courts attract competitive players, and fire rings allow evening gatherings around crackling flames.

Just steps from the beach, Main Street features restored buildings housing surf shops, vintage clothing stores, and restaurants serving everything from Thai food to Mexican cuisine.

The historic Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782, anchors downtown with its beautiful gardens and small museum.

Ventura Harbor sits a few miles south, offering additional beach access at Harbor Cove Beach.

This protected spot provides calmer conditions ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking.

The harbor also serves as the departure point for boats heading to Channel Islands National Park, often called California’s Galápagos.

Seafood restaurants line the harbor, with outdoor patios where diners watch boats return with the day’s catch.

Ventura’s combination of excellent beaches, reasonable prices, and authentic California coastal culture makes it a hidden treasure between the more famous destinations of Santa Barbara and Malibu.

5. Avila Beach

Tucked into a south-facing cove, Avila Beach enjoys a microclimate that delivers warmer temperatures and calmer waters than neighboring coastal towns.

While fog blankets nearby areas, Avila often basks in clear sunshine, earning its reputation as the Central Coast’s sunniest beach destination.

The town’s small size, just a few blocks deep, makes everything walkable and creates an intimate, village-like atmosphere.

Avila’s public beach curves gently along the bay, protected from harsh winds and big waves by the surrounding hills.

This sheltered location makes swimming more comfortable here than at exposed beaches, and the water temperature tends to run a few degrees warmer.

Families with small children appreciate the gentle slope and relatively calm conditions.

A wooden pier juts into the bay, popular with fishermen and photographers capturing sunset views.

The beachfront promenade connects the pier to Harford Pier on the eastern end, passing restaurants, shops, and the Custom House visitor center.

Volleyball nets stand ready for impromptu games, and kayak rentals allow paddlers to explore the coastline from water level.

Front Street runs parallel to the beach, lined with casual eateries serving fish tacos, ice cream, and local wines from nearby Edna Valley.

The Olde Port Inn offers beachfront dining with views of sailboats bobbing in the harbor.

Just outside town, Avila Hot Springs provides a unique attraction, naturally heated mineral pools where visitors soak tired muscles after beach activities.

The nearby Bob Jones Trail follows San Luis Obispo Creek through a shaded canyon, offering a cool respite from sunny beach days.

Avila Beach proves that sometimes the best California coastal experiences happen in the smallest packages, where warm sunshine, friendly locals, and protected waters create perfect conditions for relaxation.

6. Capitola

Bright Mediterranean colors splash across the Venetian Hotel and beach cottages lining Capitola’s waterfront, creating one of California’s most photographed coastal scenes.

This tiny village claims the title of California’s oldest seaside resort town, welcoming visitors since the 1860s when tourists arrived by stagecoach.

Today’s visitors find the same charm that attracted Victorian-era beachgoers, just with better parking and modern amenities.

Capitola Beach nestles in a protected cove where Soquel Creek meets the Pacific Ocean.

The small sandy beach gets packed during summer weekends, but its intimate size creates a friendly atmosphere where strangers strike up conversations.

Gentle waves make this spot popular with beginning surfers and families introducing children to ocean swimming.

The Capitola Wharf extends from the beach’s eastern end, supporting a restaurant where diners enjoy seafood while watching surfers below.

Colorful umbrellas dot the sand during peak season, and lifeguards keep watch over swimmers from their tower.

Steps and a seawall separate the beach from Esplanade Park, where grassy areas provide picnic spots with ocean views.

The village itself consists of just a few blocks, but those streets pack in dozens of unique shops, galleries, and restaurants.

Zelda’s serves beachfront breakfast and lunch on a deck overlooking the sand.

Art galleries showcase local artists, while clothing boutiques offer beachy styles perfect for coastal living.

Each September, Capitola hosts the Begonia Festival, featuring a nautical parade of flower-decorated floats that circle the cove.

The Shadowbrook Restaurant, reached by a scenic cable car ride down a wooded hillside, provides romantic dining in a creekside setting.

Capitola’s combination of natural beauty, artistic spirit, and old-fashioned beach town charm makes it feel like a secret hideaway, even though it sits just minutes from busy Santa Cruz.

7. Pismo Beach

Few California beaches still allow vehicles to drive directly on the sand, but Pismo Beach maintains this unique tradition that delights visitors.

Families unload beach gear right next to their chosen spot, while others cruise the hard-packed sand in four-wheel-drive vehicles.

This classic beach town embraces its role as a fun, accessible destination where everyone can enjoy the coast without pretension.

Pismo State Beach stretches for miles, offering plenty of room for sunbathers, surfers, and sand castle architects.

The famous Pismo Pier extends 1,200 feet into the Pacific, providing fishing access and panoramic views of the coastline.

Below the pier, surfers catch waves while children hunt for shells in the tide pools.

The beach’s gentle slope and sandy bottom make swimming safer than at many California beaches, though the water remains brisk year-round.

Pismo once earned fame for its enormous clams, and while commercial harvesting depleted those populations, visitors can still dig for smaller Pismo clams with proper licenses.

The town’s downtown area climbs the hillside above the beach, with restaurants serving clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, a Central Coast tradition.

Splash Cafe attracts lines of customers waiting for their famous chowder, which they also ship nationwide.

Hotels and motels offer oceanfront rooms at prices more reasonable than Southern California beach destinations.

The Monarch Butterfly Grove, located in nearby Pismo Beach State Park, hosts thousands of migrating monarchs each winter.

Walking trails lead through eucalyptus trees where orange and black butterflies cluster in massive groups.

ATV enthusiasts head to the Oceano Dunes, where off-highway vehicles can legally ride on massive sand dunes.

Pismo Beach delivers classic California beach experiences without fancy frills, proving that sometimes the best vacations involve simple pleasures like sand between your toes and salt air in your lungs.