19 Best Beach Towns In California You've Never Heard Of

Not many travelers have heard of Oxnard, in Ventura County. But this quaint beach town is known for its laid-back vibes, miles of golden sandy beaches, lively nightlife, and ample outdoor fun. From swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding to exploring the surroundings and very picturesque harbor, Oxnard is the perfect place for an easy-going escape.

This beach town also has stunning Victorian-era architecture, great eateries, fantastic farmers' markets, and several must-visit museums like the Mullin Automotive Museum and the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. And speaking of the Channel Islands, visitors can easily access this fantastic national park, often called the Galapagos of North America, which is five separate islands. Besides all this, Oxnard has a diverse cultural scene and performance art venues galore. Plus, this oceanside paradise is home to the annual California Strawberry Festival, which is just one more enticing tidbit about Oxnard.

Fort Bragg is another beachy little metropolis that is, first and foremost, known for its Glass Beach (three magnificent beaches in total actually make up this hidden gem). Located on the North Pacific Coast, Glass Beach is definitely a must-see for any Fort Bragg visitors, but this is not all this beach town has to offer. With its picturesque Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, lovely MacKerricher State Park, unique historic downtown area, and more, Fort Bragg is overflowing with sights and activities.

From rail biking, sea kayaking, and traversing Noyo Headlands Park and Pomo Bluffs Park to watching whales, and hiking through Pygmy Forest, Fort Bragg offers much in the way of adventure. This beach town also has historical sites like the Skunk Train, the Point Cabrillo Light Station, and the Guest House Museum. So if you happen to be a history buff, an avid explorer, and a beach lover, Fort Bragg is simply perfect.

Cayucos is a surfer's paradise. But with miles and miles of sandy white beaches like Cayucos State Beach and countless wonders abound, this tiny oceanside town has so much more to offer and is undoubtedly another California gem. Located right off the famous Highway 1, Cayucos is just one more fantastic beach town that has a little bit of everything.

From five-star dining experiences, historical society exhibits, and mural tours to fun-filled adventures, exhilarating watersports, and then some, this beach town is hard to pass up. Here, visitors are known to easily lose track of time exploring shipwrecks at Estero Bluffs State Park, searching for marine life in tidepools, spending some quality time at Cayucos Pier, and hiking in the Harmony Headlands. Plus, with a lovely downtown area, a wealth of city happenings, and easy access to the Pacific Coast Wine Trail, there is never a dull moment in Cayucos.

Located on California's charming central coast, Avila Beach is an oceanfront haven with quaint restaurants, boutique hotels, limitless water activities, and local wine. Here, visitors can effortlessly kick back and relax while enjoying the fresh ocean air and stellar views at beaches like Pirate's Cove. Wanderers can also explore this town's many attractions. Great spots like Avila Valley Barn, Avila Beach Pier, and Avila Hot Springs are just a few must-adds to your itinerary.

Other alluring points of interest in this beach town include Olde Port Beach, Pecho Coast Trail, and the Port San Luis Lighthouse. Olde Port Beach is a beautiful spot that is equal parts romantic and serene with its public fire pits and optimal sunset vistas. Alternatively, for more adventure types, Pecho Coast Trail offers a moderate walkabout to the Port San Luis Lighthouse (a local gem with a fascinating history and tours available) and a moderate to challenging trek to Rattlesnake Canyon. And a bonus here is that Avila Beach happens to be one of the delightful towns along California's iconic Highway 1 — making it a wonderful opportunity for pitstop for road trippers as well.

Also located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, travelers will find the seaside village of Cambria. Even though this particular beach town is on the small side, Cambria still knows how to dazzle its visitors. With grand architecture, historical sites, a vibrant downtown area, art galleries, divine beaches like Moonstone Beach, a robust shopping district, and more, the destination just beyond the Monterey Pines absolutely deserves a look-see.

Of course, any place that dons the name of a California beach town is not complete with outdoorsy fun, and Cambria is no different. Here, nature lovers can enjoy hiking trails, lush parks like Leffingwell Park and San Simeon Beach State Park, the Covell Clydesdale Ranch, and the popular attraction — the Whale Trail which allows for some first-rate whale watching. Cambria is also a haven for foodies and a dreamy spot for beachside and serene forest weddings.

Morro Bay is a stunning seaside town with some of the most glorious scenery and freshest seafood around. From its unspoiled beaches and abundance of wildlife to its quintessential waterfront, maritime museums, and downtown district, Morro Bay is a true beach town through and through. That said, Morro Rock, the 576-foot-tall volcanic plug, definitely takes this place up a notch.

After marveling at this natural wonder shoreside, visitors can explore the beautiful Morro Bay State Park and various points of interest in town. Morro Bay is also the perfect place to get in some boating, bird-watching, whale-watching, and have a good old fashion beach getaway. And regardless of whether you opt to spend time at Morro Rock Beach, Morro Strand State Beach, or North Point Beach, one thing is for sure, the Gibraltar of the Pacific is undoubtedly out of this world.

The coastal town of Elk (or Greenwood) is situated along the northern coast of California. For travelers searching for spectacular unobstructed views of nature, this secluded beach community definitely delivers. With lush state parks, Greenwood State Beach, pristine wilderness, and a truly remote location, Elk is easy on the eyes and a great place to connect with nature.

Here, visitors can enjoy this hidden gem at their leisure, smell the wildflowers and salty air, and listen to the relaxing sounds of the ocean. Since Elk is, for the most part, off the beaten path, there are only a few inns and dreamy accommodations here. But with stunning Pacific Ocean vistas, gourmet cuisine, full-bodied local wines, and an overall welcoming atmosphere, staying elsewhere won't even cross your mind. Elk is another wonderful beach town, and if you prefer a faster pace getaway, never fear — nearby attractions just a short drive away.

Point Arena is a charming beach community that surprisingly has much to offer, given its overall size. Yet, even though Point Arena may not be the largest seaside village in California, this tiny town has quite the food scene, a bustling Main Street Historic District, boutique hotels, and countless attractions. In particular, the stately 115-foot-tall Point Arena Lighthouse and its Outdoor Museum are remarkable and definitely worth checking out while in town.

In addition to this, Point Arena has an artsy vibe, thanks to the local creatives, the Coast Highway Artists Collective, and the fully-restored Arena Theater. For outdoor enthusiasts, this beach town has miles of scenic multi-use trails, convenient access to Manchester State Park, and ample fun in the sun to be had at Schooner Gulch State Beach. The Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands are also an idyllic walkabout just waiting to happen with its sea caves, tide pools, grassy bluffs, and gorgeous sunsets.

Thanks to the iconic cult classic movie "The Birds," Alfred Hitchcock fans may have misgivings about a beach getaway in Bodega Bay. But the real Bodega Bay is far less scary. In fact, this seaside paradise is actually lovely with its golden sand beaches, marvelous whale sightings, relaxing spas, and terrific seafood. Bodega Bay is also home to the unique rocky cliff formations known as the Hole in the Head, and the city is near West Sonoma's wine region. So travel parties with diverse interests are truly in luck here.

Moreover, there is no shortage of outdoor recreational spaces in and near Bodega Bay. Popular go-to's like the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Doran Regional Park, Porto Bodega Marina and RV Park, and Sonoma Coast State Beach Park are just a few areas to enjoy when visiting this beach town. And if you are worried about where to eat after working up an appetite adventuring, any of the renowned waterfront restaurants in Bodega Bay are sure to please.

Lastly, Mendocino is a lavish and pristine beach town just south of Fort Bragg. From its exceptionally beautiful scenery to Mendocino's many beaches, you might find it hard to tear yourself away from this seaside paradise when the time comes. In the way of leisure activities, visitors can partake in world-class wine tasting, shop in the village, enjoy a music festival or two, and indulge in some family time at beautiful spots around town like Big River Beach and more. 

Mendocino also has great dining options, romantic bed and breakfasts, kid-friendly accommodations, and enough outdoor recreation to last a lifetime. This beach town truly lets one choose their own adventure. And, with so much to see and do here, regardless of who you are with, Mendocino definitely deserves a lengthy stay.