Do you feel like taking a mini vacation? We have said it many times but it cannot be said enough. One of the best things about living in Los Angeles is the close proximity we have to so many other amazing places!
And tops on the list are beach towns! There are so many incredible beach towns to visit that you can drive to from LA and enjoy the peaceful water, soak up the beautiful sunshine and take in all that awesome coastal charm.
Southern California beach towns are sure to be even more popular this Summer as people emerge from quarantine and want to experience their beauty and relaxation vibes only the coast can offer.
In this article we share just a few favorites where you can take a quick trip to recharge your energies and experience some Southern California beach town love.
1 – Encinitas
Description:
If you love surfing then Encinitas is the weekend destination spot for you to ride some good waves, and it’s a little less crowded than San Diego surfing spots.
Some really good surf spots include Swami’s which is located at the southernmost end of Encinitas, this is a great surf break. Another one is D street which is right below the bluffs of Moonlight beach, head south towards Swami’s point.
The beaches here are like hidden gems, you can expect white sand and rocky bluffs that will look awesome in your Instagram.
Strolling around Encinitas beach town you can find an old school charm and laid back type of beach culture and vibe and also some great boutique shopping and meditation gardens.
If you want to sun bathe, have a picnic and lay back, we recommend Moonlight State Beach where there is also a snack bar and bathrooms.
Location: 400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024
Pic Credit: @cmoorelife23
2 – Ventura
Description:
Ventura is the typical old school type of beach town vibe that we love so much, with vintage shops and a slower pace than we are used to back in LA.
Ventura is a great getaway to take things a bit slower, get some thinking in and pretty much do all the things you don’t have time to do back in the big city.
The beaches are pretty and if you like to paint or draw, you’ll have lots of inspiration here, especially when friendly dolphins decide to pop up for some peek a boo.
The Ventura Harbor Village is open with safety guidelines to provide visitors with some tasty eats and drinks from its popular restaurants with water views. If you like seafood, Lure Fish House has a pretty good menu with oysters, ceviche’s, crab cakes, chowders, Maine lobster rolls, lobster tail and so much more to satisfy you with.
They also have plenty of fun items from the local tourist shops if you want to bring a souvenir back home.
If you feel a little more adventurous rent a boat or kayak and enjoy the water, or go whale watching and the beach is always close by.
Location: 1583 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93001
PIC Credit: @mojicaphotos
3 – Carpinteria
Description:
Carpinteria is only about 10-15 minutes South from Santa Barbara. This is a very welcoming beach community particularly characterized by its small town feeling. Its a great choice to get much of the beauty of Santa Barbara but with a little more laid back vibes.
Head towards Linden, which is the main street, to find vintage boutiques, specialty stores and walkable shopping. There you can also find a variety of restaurants offering casual menus to more fine dining options.
The beaches here are beautiful and charming and many locals prefer them to those found in Santa Barbara which gets most of the hype but is also usually more crowded. The sand appears to be wider at Carpinteria compared to Santa Barbara and the surfing is better according to expert wave riders.
Get your sunscreen and flip flops and prepared to enjoy miles of pretty beaches, coastal breeze, tide pools and even camping.
Location: Palm Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013
PIC Credit: @ carpinteriabeach
4 – San Clemente
Description:
This is probably one of the most charming little beach towns in all of Southern California. We particularly enjoy the gorgeous natural scenery and beautiful landmarks including Casa Romantica, which displays beautiful Spanish colonial architecture and gardens.
Another cant miss spot in San Clemente is the famous pier which is a draw for action and of course a gorgeous spot for pictures. The wide sandy spots on both sides of the pier, the picture perfect palm trees and the grassy areas will make for a very pleasant beach picnic.
Another cool thing about San Clemente is you can take the train and get off right at the San Clemente Pier. Its incredible to have a train stop just steps from the beach and the pier and we would definely say this a bucket list treat, must do at least once kind of thing for all of us who live or visit Southern California.
The rail road tracks run right behind the beach, so coming up to your destination you will have an incredible view from your seat. Not a fan of the train? Not a problem as once you get there and park you can walk, run or bike on the San Clemente Coastal trail, a 2.3 mile trail that runs North and South accessing all the beaches between san Clemente State Beach and North Beach. T
This awesome trail gives you access to an uninterrupted sandy shoreline and breathtaking Ocean views. The pier is the middle of the trail, you can start here if you don’t feel like taking the entire path.
Location: 615 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, CA 92672
PIC Credit: @ jim4nier
5 – Oxnard
Description:
This is a stunning little beach town, popular for its gorgeous white sand beaches, historic Downtown, Channel Islands Harbor and the Victorian era architecture. Take a tour of historical landmarks in Oxnard and you will get the opportunity to take some great pictures.
We also recommend you stroll around the beautiful Heritage Square, where you can sip on some great tasting wine. If you love architecture check out of the beautiful homes built in the very early 1900s at Henry T. Oxnard Historic District, and don’t forget to stop by Oxnard Pagoda and the Historic Farm Park.
Lets not forget the beaches of course and here are our recommendations for you to get some sand between your toes and let the sunshine kiss your nose and also take in some pretty views.
Begin at Hollywood Beach, this beautiful spot offers views of Channel Islands and it’s great for swimming and sun bathing. If you want to go surfing or kayaking then head towards Silver Strand Beach or Oxnard Beach Park.
Head up to Oxnard one of the most underrated beach towns not far from LA and enjoy all it has to offer!
Location: 715 S A St, Oxnard, CA 93030
PIC Credit: @ moosemeat_705
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!