“If everybody had an ocean across the USA Then everybody’d be surfin’ like
Californ-i-a”
With a name like the Beach Boys, is it any wonder these guys would be so into Cali, Hawaii, and surfing?
The fact of the matter is, only one of them was an actual surfer, but the core message is there - nothing beats a West Coast surf when you’re looking to get away from it all, and you can’t go wrong with an island trip, either.
Surfin’ USA was, in some ways, the first geography lesson for a lot of us kids raised by baby boomer parents. I can’t even begin to guess what these guys did for California’s tourism, but they definitely didn’t hurt it!
But their heyday was a different time, and the world has changed a lot since. The question is: if you wax down your surfboard today and head to all the beaches they namedropped, what can you expect to find?
The answer is, well, a little bit of everything!
Del Mar & Swami’s Beach
First up is Del Mar, one of the crowning jewels of San Diego County. This place is renowned for its sandy beaches, friendly atmosphere, and association with old-school Hollywood big-shots like Jimmy Durante and Lucille Ball.
For starters, the oceanfront is up there on the list of the best California beaches. Powerhouse Park blends that quintessential SoCal greenery with a long, sandy beach, ideal for outdoor lunches and families with kids.
For all the horse lovers out there, the Del Mar Racetrack is a must-see, followed by the Del Mar Fairgrounds, filled to the brim with entertainment for kids and adults alike. If you want to see some exotic bird species, the Free Flight tour just south of Dog Park is a great way to spend the morning.
Speaking of dogs, if you’re traveling with pets, Crest Canyon is only a stone’s throw away, at the other side of San Dieguito Lagoon - there’s about a mile-long round hiking trail, and it’s the perfect place to let your furball run and explore.
Just to the south of town, you can also bask in the glory of Torrey Pines Natural State Park, home to the Torrey Sandstone and Delmar Formation. Then, for one of the greatest vistas this side of the Pacific, consider pulling into Sunset Seat and seeing where the Sunshine State moniker came from!
North of San Diego is the gorgeous Swami’s Beach, a fantastic pivot into the San Diego Botanical Garden. Exploring Encinitas is as rewarding as it gets, although you can also catch some waves over at nearby Cardiff, at San Elijo State Beach.
Ventura County
Here’s another one of California’s premier surf counties, although the waterfront is just a small part of what this place has to offer.
You like to hike? Arroyo Verde Park is calling your name with its nature center and dog-friendly trails. From there, you can take the kids over to Golf N Stuff, or move towards Thousand Oaks and enjoy the view of a lifetime at Paradise Falls. There’s also Marina Park and its beautiful Mermaid Statues!
If you’d prefer to explore with a little more guidance, there’s always the option to go for a highly customizable tour, which lets you stop and explore at your own leisure.
As for surfing, Ventura Beach, Silver Strand Beach, Mandalay State Beach, and Oxnard State Beach are amazing starting points. If you want to do some beach camping, Hobson Beach Park is a great place to chill by the campfire after a hot shower.
Pacific Palisades
This place is more than just a residential area - it’s a way of life for many Californians and the innumerable tourists that come to visit it. With a surfing spot like Will Rodgers State Beach, how can it not be incredible?
Beyond that, Pacific Palisades is rich with lush greenery and scenic hiking spots. After paying a visit to Will Rogers State Historic Park, you can work your way northward to Westridge Trailhead and even Eagle Rock.
Santa Cruz
No list of the best surf towns in California would be complete without Santa Cruz, and there’s enough here to keep you busy for days on end.
Santa Cruz Beach and Seabright Beach are great places to start, with Twin Lakes State Beach not far behind. If you’re up for an unforgettable view, the Santa Cruz Wharf is one of Cali’s most romantic spots, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is chock-full of entertainment options for people of all ages.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make the drive up to Davenport and see Shark Fin Cove. It’s not a surf spot by any means, but spelunking in the caves and taking once-in-a-lifetime photographs can be just as fun!
Trestles, San Onofre Beach & Doheny Beach
These three beaches are all close to one another, and they make for some of the best surfing hubs in all of California. To make the most of the experience, you’ll definitely want to dedicate some time to each one.
Once you’re done surfing and sunbathing, you can make your way north past La Casa Pacifica and into San Clemente, all the way up to Dana Point. San Clemente Pier is ideal for fishing and stargazing for a romantic evening, while San Gorgonio Park is the place to be for some casual sports.
Narrabeen
Surfers in Australia, rejoice - America’s Beatles love what you have to offer, and with a place like Narrabeen, who can blame them? Located in the northern part of Sydney, this place continues to be one of the city’s premier surfing spots.
Located just north of the generally packed Dee Why area, Narrabeen Beach is a gorgeous strip of sandy walkways, surfing spots, and restaurants to suit everyone’s tastes. To familiarize yourself with the area, consider a six-hour tour spanning Collaroy, North Narrabeen Beach, and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, among others.
Naturally, you can’t go wrong by sitting down at one of the cafes and eateries in the area. For those of you who dig organic food, you can’t pass up on The Whole Leaf or their killer kombucha. Then there’s Pizza Ricardo right by South Creek, perfect for cheat days and an Italian meal with a view.
For a more private experience, you can go down to Collaroy Beach, and even venture further south to enjoy the scenery at the Long Reef Headland. Alternatively, you can go picnicking or kayaking at Narrabeen Lagoon State Park, a favorite among tourists and for good reason.
Haggerty’s, Manhattan Beach & Redondo Beach
Nowadays, Haggerty’s is better known as Torrance Beach, located off the road from Miramar Park. Overall, this is a chain of three beaches located relatively close to one another, and it’s hard to say which one does it best.
As for Torrance itself, it’s got the incredible Del Amo Fashion Center if you want to do some shopping, and the lovely Charles H. Wilson Park if you’re looking to relax and unwind.
Still, the best way to experience the area is probably to do a walk around Redondo Beach Pier, then follow that up with glass boat ride, especially if you’re traveling with your little ones! Further up is Manhattan Beach Pier, and it’s every bit as gorgeous!
Sunset Beach & Waimea Bay
It’s not clear whether the guys were referring to Hawaii or California’s Sunset Beach, but to give you some variety, we’ll assume they’re talking about north shore Oahu surfing. After all, they mention Waimea Bay almost immediately after, so consider this a twofer!
These are two of the best beaches in Hawaii, and they sandwich the quaint commune of Pupukea. Once you get your bearings, you can tour the gigantic Dole Plantation or go diving at Shark’s Cove.
As incredible as Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay are, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Three Tables Beach, Ehunkai Beach, and Kawela Bay Beach Park all come together to form the gorgeous Kamehameha Highway strip, packed with places to test out your surfing chops.
You probably need to rent a car to make the most of this route, but it’s one of the best investments you can make for a holiday in the States!
La Jolla
La Jolla Shores Beach packs a lot into a single mile, from immersive diving lessons to kayaking through some unbelievable caverns. La Jolla Cove is just the beginning, if you can believe that!
Mount Soledad Memorial Park is a must-see for any true and blue patriot, while the Birch Aquarium is one of America’s finest displays of marine life. From there, a drive to Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve is an absolute must, as it’s home to everything from beaches to the unforgettable Torrey Pines Glideport.
Do the Beach Boys Know Surfing?
We can’t be sure how they’d fare when hitting the waves, but these guys definitely knew their surfing towns!
In fact, a lot of modern trip planners could take a page out of the Wilson Brothers’ handbook when pitching California holiday ideas. They also throw Hawaii and Australia in for good measure, and it’s a perfect 15/15 in our book.
Have you been to any of these righteous surfer beaches yourself? Share your experiences with The Holiday Way community below!
