Finding Your Favorite California Beaches

When one thinks of California, it’s easy to envision the sun and gorgeous beaches. With so much beautiful scenery to appreciate, it’s no wonder why so many—ourselves included—are fascinated with the beaches and all they have to offer. From one end of California to the next, there are a variety of different ones you can visit. If you’re thinking of packing your bags to find your own happy place in the sand, the following are some tips for how you can go about it.

Ask for Recommendations
Chances are you know someone who has either been to or lives in California or at least knows someone who has been there before which means you can get plenty of insight as to what beaches would be ideal for you to visit. You may even learn about some hidden gems. Whether you ask via social media or you contact friends and family directly, ask if anyone has any recommendations that could offer you insight as to which California beaches are worth a visit.

Consider the Crowds
Some California beaches are busier than others, so if you’d prefer to stay away from crowds, then you may want to consider going to a beach that is likely to have fewer people and is quieter. Certain beaches are busier at different times of the year, so when you’re going and the size of the crowds you’re willing to put up with might be factors, which leads us to…

Determine When You Want to Go
California is obviously a popular tourist destination, and while it is possible to find beaches that aren’t crowded, know that the summer months—June to August—are typically the peak months. If work is a factor, you’ll also want to determine when you’re going to be able to get the time off, and if the kids have school, that’s going to be something to keep in mind as well.

Check Out the Webcams
Wait, what? Webcams? Absolutely. You can find webcams for a variety of beaches across California, so rather than just look at pictures, you could see what’s going on at some of the beaches at any time of the day. For example, you can check out one in Laguna Beach, Venice Beach, and Oceanside Beach. Some webcams rotate, so your view isn’t necessarily going to be focused on one particular spot at all times.

Consider Where You’re Staying
Where you’re staying in California is likely going to factor in your decision of which beach you’re going to, or maybe you have a particular beach in mind that you want to visit and you want to stay as close to it as possible. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to stay in a hotel. There are other options as well, such as vacation rentals, that may work out to be more cost efficient and be closer to the beach.

With so many beaches in the state, consider doing a tour of them and checking out what each has to offer. It’s certainly going to be an experience you’ll always remember.