Our pick of the best beaches on the West Coast
The West Coast of the United States is lined with white sandy beaches that are extremely visitor friendly. Whether you choose to travel somewhere within California or Washington, there are magnificent beaches waiting for you. In this blog, our Travel Experts list the Best Beaches on the West Coast.
Butterfly Beach – Santa Barbara
This hidden gem is a beautiful place that offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding mountains.
Enjoy romantic strolls, a picnic or a summer swim in this idyllic setting.
Bufferfly Beach is a local favourite and you may be lucky enough to spot one of the celebrities that call Santa Barbara home.
La Jolla Shores – San Diego
La Jolla Shores is one of San Diego’s most popular beaches and is the perfect destination for families. It is a sandy beach, about one mile long, with a large grassy area, Kellogg Park, perfect for a midday picnic.
With permanent lifeguard stations along the beach, you can relax and enjoy the water with ease.
In the summer, the waves are usually gentle here, providing the perfect conditions to jump into the water. Home to an amazing variety of underwater wildlife and landscape this is one of the best beaches to scuba-dive on the west coast. Taking advantage of the beautiful coastline is one of the best things to do in San Diego.
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica State Beach is an iconic destination that draws visitors from around the World.
This soft sandy beach and gentle water makes it an ideal area to sunbath, play volley ball and splash in the small waves.
The beach is located near the Santa Monica Pier.
The famous pier is home to the Pacific Park Amusement Park, complete with rides and arcade games, bars, restaurants, shops, and the Santa Monica Aquarium.
Ocean Avenue and Barnard Way feature an abundance of car parks which is handy for those of you taking road trips.
Laguna Beach – Orange County
Laguna Beach may be familiar as it is often featured in American movies and TV shows because of its good looks.
Located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, this seven-mile stretch of sand offers a year-round retreat for art lovers, nature enthusiasts and beachgoers.
Also famous for its surfing, Laguna Beach offers a host of water sports including paddle-boarding and kayaking.
Long Beach – Washington
Long Beach in Washington offers all kinds of fun activities like clam digging, beach-combing and visiting nearby lighthouses.
If you are thinking of a family holiday look no further- there are a huge number of things to keep you and your kids entertained during your trip.
Walk a short distance and visit Willapa Bay – a fun and safe spot where the kids can paddle through shallow waters and look for wildlife along the rocky beaches.
This part of the Pacific Northwest is famous for Dungeness crab. You can look forward to dining on some of the best crab you have ever tasted in the restaurants surrounding Long Beach.
Planning a trip to the West Coast of America? Contact us today to speak with one of our travel experts and hear more about our latest holiday offers.
Planning on driving the West Coast of America along Highway 1? Check out our Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary.
Have you visited the West Coast before? Tell @AmericanHoliday your favourite places you have been.
