State Guide

Sonoma Coast State Beaches: Stretching 10 miles from Bodega Bay to Jenner, these beaches draw more than 300 bird species. Look for osprey from December to September, seal pups from March to June, and gray whales from December to April.

Santa Cruz's Beaches: Santa Cruz has 29 miles of beaches, varied enough to please surfers, swimmers, fishers, sailboarders, the sand-pail-and-shovel set, and the bikini-and-biceps crowd. For starters, walk down the steps from the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to the mile-long Main Beach, complete with summer lifeguards and golden-oldie tunes drifting over the sand.

Pismo Beach: Pismo's 23-mile stretch of prime beachfront has been an annual destination for generations of California families. Fishing, shopping, surfing, and renting dune buggies are just a few of the many outdoor activities here. Even dogs are welcome to play on the beach.

Santa Barbara's East Beach: This wide swath of white sand hosts beach umbrellas, sandcastle builders, and volleyball games. On Sundays, local artists display their wares beneath the palm trees.

Malibu's Legendary Beaches: Zuma and Surfrider beaches inspired the 1960s surf music that embodies the Southern California coast experience. Surfrider, just up from Malibu Pier, is home to L.A.'s best waves. Zuma is loaded with amenities, including snack bars, restrooms, and jungle gyms. The beach hosts some of the state's best sunbathing and allows you to stroll in front of the Malibu Colony, a star-studded enclave of multimillion-dollar homes.

La Jolla's Beaches: "La Jolla" may be misspelled Spanish for "the jewel," but this is no mistake: The bluff-lined beaches here are among the state's most beautiful. Each has a distinct personality: Surfers love Windansea's waves; harbor seals have adopted the Children's Pool; La Jolla Shores is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and kayaking; while the Cove is a top snorkeling spot -- and the best place to spot the electric-orange California state fish, the garibaldi.

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State Guide

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