Black’s Beach (La Jolla): San Diego weather and the beach are the perfect combination. After hiking 300 feet down from Torrey Pines and the famous Gliderport, you’ll find yourself on Black’s Beach, surrounded by steep cliffs, beautiful scenery, and powerful waves.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Beach (Big Sur): Words will never do Big Sur justice. It’s so beautiful, it might be California’s most famous outdoor destination. With cliffs, lush vegetation, waterfalls crashing into the ocean, and otters playing in the water, it’s pretty close to paradise. While most of the beaches are off limits, the hiking is the real draw.

Muir Beach (Marin): Located just minutes away from Muir Woods and its gigantic redwood trees, Muir Beach offers some of the best tidal pools in the country. Explore the natural beauty of the cove as you search for starfish, octopus, and other sea creatures.

El Matador State Beach (Malibu): With long stretches of white sand, towering cliffs, and large rock formations that jet out of the sea, it’s easy to see why El Matador is a Southern California favorite. Don’t be surprised to see the Hollywood elite taking a break from the city, and the sunsets are an Instagramers dream.

Black Sands Beach (Shelter Cove): Getting there is quite a hike (about an hour from Highway 101), but it’s worth it. As the only coastal wilderness area in the contiguous US, there’s a good chance you’ll see bear, elk, and seals as you walk along the 30 miles of coastline.