Top Five Beaches in Southern California

Southern California is known for great weather and beautiful beaches. Many of the beaches are locations for movies and television shows. No trip to Southern California would be complete without a trip to one of these great five beaches. Read on to learn more about them.

Paradise Cove
Malibu

Paradise Cove is a beach where many movies and television shows have been filmed including the television show Baywatch. Paradise Cove has a lot to offer. Dining, swimming, tide pools, fishing from the pier, and hiking. The beach has well maintained bathrooms. The one downfall to this beach is that dogs are not allowed.

Venice Beach
Venice

Venice Beach is not your ordinary beach. It is not the beach for enjoying the water. Although many people swim and surf at Venice Beach it is probably not the best beach to do so. Often there are warning signs posted telling you not to go into the water because of pollution. What is great about Venice Beach is the unique experience that it offers. There is no other beach like Venice Beach. The three mile beach offers shopping at the many stores and stands. Dining at the many restaurants and cafes. Skating, bike riding and dog walking are fun activities on the long paved walk along the beach. Get your picture drawn by one of the many artists. Watch the street performers play music and dance. Stop by muscle beach and watch the huge body builders work out. Play volleyball, basketball or paddle ball. Or just people watch. Do be careful of the pick pocketers.

El Matador
Malibu

El Matador Beach is absolutely stunning. The large rocks and caves are beautiful and unique. One huge rock looks like a bull. To get to the beach, you will have to walk down a well maintained but steep dirt trail. Getting back up the trail with the steep incline can require a lot of energy. The trail is not difficult, it is just tiring. Some people will have to take it slow. The trail to the beach is quite pretty to look at.

El Capitan Beach and Campground
Santa Barbara

El Capitan is a gorgeous rocky beach. Swim, surf, fish. explore the tide pools or have a picnic. A stairway provides access to the beach. The campground is filled with Sycamore and Oak trees that provide plenty of shade. Sand wheelchairs are available for the beach for those who need them.

Zuma Beach

Zuma Beach is famous for the surfing. Zuma has good waves for surfing, but the rip current can be strong for the inexperienced swimmer. Many surf events happen at Zuma. Zuma Beach has a wide expanse of clean pristine sand. Public restrooms and outdoor cold showers are available. Surfing, swimming, diving, windsurfing and volleyball are some of the activities you can enjoy at Zuma. A beach stand is available for when you are hungry.