15 Best Northern California Beaches You Shouldn't Miss

These beaches offer a little bit of everything.

Northern California beaches know how to bring the drama: precipitous cliffs, roaring waves, and cinematic fog all set the scene. In the upper part of The Golden State, there are idyllic stretches of sand for sunset viewers, birdwatchers, and whale spotters.

The most attentive beachcombers might even spot rare gems and glossy pieces of glass studding the shores. What’s more, Scottish bagpipes and barking seals provide a distinctive soundtrack at some of NorCal’s very best beaches. And, as for the water? It’s pretty dang chilly—but some patches of the Pacific still beckon adventurous types chasing sublime surf and swimmers looking for a reprieve on a hot day.

Ahead are 15 iconic beaches in Northern California that offer a little bit of everything, from coastal walks to golfing with views of the Pacific Ocean to amusement park thrills. 

Manhattan Beach in Half Moon Bay

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. Its craggy coastlines are reminiscent of the ones in Scotland, an observation solidified by the pipe music you’ll hear amid the crashing waves every night at sunset as a bagpiper roams the luxury hotel’s grounds.

Beachgoers can stroll along a coastal trail above the ocean and then descend a staircase to take in the sights: Rocky outcrops act like speed bumps in the Pacific as waves roll in and lush bluffs are carpeted in wildflowers during the spring.

While there isn’t much amenity-wise in Manhattan, there are several free parking spots for easy beach access. Also, golfers with tee times can hit the links at the 18-hole Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay. Every hole showcases views of the Pacific, which could either be a muse or a distraction.

Doran Regional Beach in Bodega Bay

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. The Sonoma County beach is a popular place to beach comb (be on the lookout for sand dollars), fly a kite, kayak, fish, or enjoy a picnic.

Film buffs may recall that Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” was filmed at Bodega Bay in 1963. But don’t let that scare you away: This seaside escape is quite a peaceful spot for birdwatching, and nature lovers can join Sonoma County Regional Parks for educational events like tidepool talks.

Looking to extend your beach day into a longer trip? Doran Regional Beach is one of the most popular spots to camp in Northern California and reservations for the 120 tent and RV sites can be booked a year in advance.

Capitola State Beach

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. Located in Santa Cruz County along Monterey Bay, Capitola has been attracting vacationers since 1874, putting it on the map as California’s first beach resort.

The resort town is still recovering from a massive storm surge in January 2023 that snapped a section of the wharf and flooded businesses, though most shops and restaurants have since reopened.

Beach-goers can stroll through Capitola’s souvenir shops, walk along the coastal path on Opal Cliff Drive, go stand-up paddleboarding, and slurp oysters while jamming out to live music at Zelda’s on the Beach.

Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Beach is bordered by the rip-roaring Pacific Ocean on one side and placid lagoon waters on the other. But its uniqueness doesn’t stop there: The crescent-shaped beach is covered in glossy, multi-colored pebbles, and astute beachcombers might spot jasper, jade, black agate, and other gems. Go ahead and gawk, but don’t take any home as souvenirs.

About three miles northwest of the Golden Gate State Bridge, the 1,000-yard-long beach can get crowded on the weekends. Rodeo Beach is popular with experienced surfers and skimboarders, but the currents can be quite strong.

Rodeo Beach also has picnic areas that are wheelchair accessible adjacent to the parking area as well as additional sites along Rodeo Lagoon.

Birdwatchers coming to the beach should pack their binoculars; Bird Island near the freshwater lagoon is a roosting site for endangered brown pelicans.

Trinidad State Beach

Trinidad State Beach is full of surprises: Sea lions bobbing in the water, dramatic rock formations, driftwood strewn about, and abundant sea life that becomes visible during low tide.

Just 80 miles south of the Oregon border, this stretch of beach is where the ancient redwoods meet the Pacific Ocean, making for an iconic Northern California beachscape.

While in the area, visit the Trinidad Pier that stretches out past a giant rock formation and overlooks a popular crabbing spot. Trinidad Bay is a popular layover for migrating grey whales in the spring (March through May) and one of the most exciting ways to spot the pods is on the water from a kayak.

Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach is one of Northern California’s most popular swimming spots and lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Fair warning: There have been great white shark attacks in the area and “sleeper waves” are known to roll in. If that dissuades you from taking a dip or bodyboarding in the waves, there’s a wide stretch of sand to walk along and Stinson is also a popular spot for pick-up volleyball games.

Beach amenities include barbecue grills and picnic tables in the picnic area, plus restrooms, cold showers to wash off the sand, and a snack shack that operates in the summer months.

Due to its popularity on hot days, getting to the beach before noon will give you a better shot at snagging a parking spot.

Glass Beach

The backstory of Glass Beach is far from glamorous: It was, in a previous life, a trash dump site for the city. For six decades beginning in 1906, residents pushed their trash (bottles, cans, anything and everything) over cliffs thinking it would just drift away and be forgotten about. But the ocean’s water broke up and smoothed over the glass, returning a rainbow assortment of recyclables to shore.

Today, tourists flock to this Mendocino Coast beach to see the colorful glass that’s scattered in the sand. There are ruby reds from 1960s auto tail lights and sapphire pieces from shattered apothecary bottles—though these treasures have become tougher to spot because visitors, over the years, have illegally taken pieces home.

In addition to the colorful glass, rocks, and coves make Glass Beach a goldmine for Instagram reels.

Santa Cruz Main Beach

For a beach day that comes with added thrills, head to the Santa Cruz Main Beach which has a boardwalk with amusement park rides and classic theme park fare (we’re talking about sugar-dusted funnel cakes and puffs of cotton candy).

The boardwalk is a fun zone with an arcade and all types of rides including the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, Twirlin’ Teacups, the Double Shot, which climbs up high in the sky for great ocean views (should you keep your eyes open) before plunging down 125 feet. The summer also brings free movie nights to the beach.

Santa Cruz Main Beach is swimmer-friendly thanks to gentle waves and lifeguards are on duty during the busy summer months.

Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands

With 1,700 untamed acres, Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands is a gorgeous stretch of coastline. Rocky cliffs jut out into the Pacific and sea rocks, shaped by erosion, rise in dramatic fashion from the water. Migrating grey whales make cameos and harbor seals can be spotted loafing on the rocks.

Nature lovers come to this part of Mendocino County’s South Coast to hike and tour the historic Point Arena Lighthouse (admission is $5 for those 12 and up). Point Arena also has cottages and studios for overnight guests.

Mendocino Headlands State Park

Scenic hiking trails in Mendocino Headlands State Park follow the cliff edges and provide prime views of the Pacific Ocean. A favorite hike is the Blow Hole Trail, which leads to a sea cave and, during high tide, delivers a cool spray of ocean water.

The state park is also a fantastic bird-watching spot because it’s a stop on the Pacific Flyway and you can spot coastal birds like cormorants, hawks, ospreys, and others.

Sharp Park Beach

Black sand beaches are a rarity along California’s 840-mile stretch of coastline. But Sharp Park Beach, just outside of San Francisco, is one of them and it gets its ink-like hue from a high concentration of iron oxide magnetite that’s in the sand.

Sharp Beach has picnic tables and barbecue grills, and the Pacifica Pier is a well-known spot for reeling in salmon and striped bass in the summer and catching Dungeness crab in the winter.

Just behind the beach is the 18-hole public Sharp Park Golf Course designed by Alister MacKenzie, the same architect who crafted Augusta National, the home of the Masters Tournament. The seaside municipal course has been dubbed a more affordable alternative to Pebble Beach.

Drakes Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore encompasses 80 miles of undeveloped coastline and provides a habitat for more than two dozen threatened and endangered species, including the northern elephant seal and the Califorian red-legged frog.

There’s much to see on the peninsula, from Alamere Falls, which cascades 40 feet and then flows into the ocean, to checking out the Point Reyes Lighthouse. But if you’re looking for a scenic spot to unfurl your towel or fly a kite, head to Drakes Beach, which is guarded by towering white cliffs. On Labor Day weekend, the annual contest at Drakes Beach fills the beach with artfully crafted sand sculptures.

Linda Mar Beach

Right off of California’s Highway 1, Linda Mar Beach is a crescent-shaped beach that’s loved by novice and expert surfers alike with nearby surf shops renting boards and kayaks. The beach is also where dogs hang 10: Linda Mar hosts surf dog championships each summer. The public can come to watch good boys and girls outfitted in life jackets grip their boards in a downward dog-like position, riding to shore on the waves.

The Pacifica beach also has a biking and walking trail that runs along the ocean, plus restrooms and showers to rinse off sand.

Fort Funston

Fort Funston sounds like the kind of place that would have a bustling boardwalk and mini golf. But really, the attractions here are 200-foot high sandy bluffs, horseback riding trails, and a viewing deck to watch hang gliding, a popular activity in March and October. Be prepared for a steep hike down to the beach and expect to feel the burn in your legs on the way back up to the parking lot. Fort Funston is exceptionally dog-friendly, and pups are free to run around on the beach off-leash.

Baker Beach

With the Golden Gate Bridge in the backdrop, Baker Beach is a Northern California icon. It’s actually where Burning Man got its start in 1986 before moving to Black Rock City, a temporary metropolis that pops up in the Nevada desert each year.

Because the water is cold and the rip currents can be strong, swimming isn’t popular at Baker Beach but visitors will get their toes wet or play fetch with their dogs in the water. Plenty of amenities make for a great beach day, including picnic tables and grills.

Golden Hour drag shows are staged at Baker Beach on weekend nights at sunset.