California's 5 Most Underrated Coastal Destinations, According To Locals

One thing many travelers don't quite appreciate about California is how huge it is. This vast state stands at over 163,000 square miles, making it the third-largest state in the country by area, and its population of 40 million easily dwarfs every other U.S. state. Despite (or perhaps because of) this, California is often stereotyped and seen as just Los Angeles and San Francisco. And sure, these iconic cities are gorgeous and define much of what California is about, but there are plenty of unsung gems beyond the boundaries of the Bay and Tinseltown. 

California boasts an incredible diversity of landscapes, from soaring mountains covered in forests to weird, alien desertscapes, but there's no denying that the Golden State's most recognizable scenery is its beaches. Miles of golden sand run the length of California, and it is one of the best places in the world to go for a beach destination. But while plenty of visitors stick to the big names – Santa Monica, Venice, El Matador – locals know that the most underrated beaches in California are often some of the best. 

We've put together five of the less well-known coastal destinations that locals rave about, which offer a different perspective on California. We've based our list on recommendations from local residents and visitors on social media. The destinations include Cayucos, Mendocino, the Channel Islands National Park, San Juan Capistrano, and San Luis Obispo. They might not be as famous, or as accessible, as the more heralded options, but trust us, they are well worth the journey.

Situated about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California State Route 1, just on the edge of Los Padres National Forest, Cayucos is a sleepy little beach town that feels like modern life rolled on past, leaving a laid-back, beautiful spot perfect for relaxation. Most people breeze by on the way to the dramatic paradise of Big Sur, but if you are looking for fewer crowds and a calmer vibe, Cayucos and its neighbor Cambria are ideal.

Redditor werdna720 says, "If you're looking for smaller towns specifically, the whole stretch and drive up the Pacific Coast Highway between San Luis Obispo and Monterey is lovely. Great places to hike along the way (like Big Sur) and plenty of small towns you will pass through along the way, [like] Cayucos." There are some great casual dining spots, like Bijou Bakery, and a delightfully historic motel, The Pacific, all faded grandeur and retro elegance. Cayucos State Beach is stunning, framed by an impressive wooden pier, and paddling in the tide pools at Estero Bluffs makes for a fun morning. Beyond the beach, El Moro Elfin Forest offers great birdwatching and fabulous dune hikes. 

Mendocino is not the most accessible coastal destination in California, and that's exactly how locals like it. It is around a three-hour drive north from San Francisco, which deters the crowds of day-trippers and helps keep it pristine and fabulous, an oasis of natural beauty and peace. The Mendocino Coast is classic northern California coastal scenery, a stunning stretch of bluffs overlooking the ocean, giant redwoods, meadows filled with wildflowers, and charming small towns. 

Fort Bragg, to the north, is a great place to explore, with the excellent and impressive 10 Mile Beach just a little further up the coast. It is worth wandering around Noyo Harbor and taking in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens for its cliffside trails and impressive rhododendrons. The town of Mendocino is also lovely, filled with historic 19th-century architecture and a couple of lovely museums and galleries. 

For outdoor adventurers, there are so many wonderful hikes in the area, from the glorious cliffs of Mendocino Headlands State Park to the stunted forest and salmon-filled creeks of Van Damme State Park. Mendocino also boasts some fantastic beaches, from Big River in the south to Glass Beach in the north. There are also some decent vineyards away from the coast, and an afternoon of wine tasting in the charming and delightful Anderson Valley is a must. "Anderson Valley is where it's at," says Redditor arnaudh. "Much cooler, beautiful Pinots and Rieslings. Roederer Estate makes IMHO the best California sparkling over there."

California's Channel Islands National Park takes a certain degree of commitment to reach, which is a huge part of what makes it such a special and underrated coastal spot. This beautiful archipelago lies off the coast of Santa Barbara in Southern California, and is only accessible by ferry or boat charter, which takes about an hour and costs between $70-100 for a round trip. It is a remote, rugged sort of place, with no inhabitants and almost no infrastructure — no drinking water, no vehicles, no food concessions, and just a few public toilets scattered across the islands! This rough-and-ready atmosphere is the key to its charm, with visitors treated to gorgeous scenery and pristine natural beauty.

The islands are crisscrossed by a network of superb and accessible trails, which makes exploring on foot one of the best things to do. From the hard-packed roads of Anacapa to the rugged, mountainous trails of Santa Rosa, Channel Islands National Park offers some splendid hiking opportunities. It is also a great place to paddle, with guided kayaking trips taking you around the shorelines and offering incredible wildlife encounters, from bird-watching to whale sightings.

The most adventurous visitors might want to try camping on one of the islands. Redditor IAinBloom says, "My advice: if you like camping/backpacking, do an overnight here at least! Bring binoculars and a great camera: lots of birds and neat wildlife to see, some that can only be found on the island." It is an incredible experience, a unique way to be at one with nature, which offers an extraordinarily peaceful, relaxing, and breathtaking adventure, far away from tourist crowds.

While choosing a single "best beach" in California would be a fool's errand, there's no denying that Laguna would be part of the conversation, and if it wasn't already there, the MTV show "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" put it squarely on the map. But it would be fairly inaccurate to describe Laguna Beach as underrated. It might be unfairly stereotyped at times (it has a delightfully old-style, small-town atmosphere that you might not expect), but it is far from being a hidden gem. However, just a few miles away from the famous golden sands lies San Juan Capistrano, home to an old Spanish mission, which is a picturesque delight that relatively few people know about. 

Founded in 1776 by the Spanish Franciscan missionary Junípero Serra, San Juan Capistrano is just a few miles from Laguna's big-name beaches, like Crystal Cove State Park, Shaws Cove, Crescent Bay, and 1,000 Steps. It also boasts its own stretch of sand, Capistrano Beach, which is wide and quiet, fringed by palm trees. 

But the real charm of San Juan Capistrano is its stunning historic architecture and old-timey atmosphere. "SJC is the only town in south [Orange County] worth visiting, or even staying, imo. The vibe, the people, the history. Everything about it is good," says Redditor BlacksmithThink9494. "My kids always loved the mission. The downtown area is lovely to walk around and see the cute shops." The mission itself was restored in the early 20th century, and this, combined with the beautiful architectural style of the town's buildings, led to it being used as a film set for several early Hollywood productions. It is also the home of Heritage BBQ, considered by many to be the best BBQ in Southern California.

San Luis Obispo is cute, colorful, and decidedly unconventional. Founded back in 1772 by Spanish missionaries (including Junípero Serra) looking to convert the indigenous Chumash people, the town is filled with beautiful historic architecture, as well as a preserved Spanish mission that houses a museum. But the charms of San Luis Obispo are not solely in the past, and the eclectic vibe that permeates the town is a huge part of its charm. From the weird and wonderful Bubblegum Alley to quirky Madonna Inn, there's a sense of the surreal everywhere you turn that makes it a wonderful destination. The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art is another excellent choice for art lovers. Redditor beaveristired says, "I loved visiting San Luis Obispo and would live there in a heartbeat, mostly for the scenery and weather."

While not on the coast itself, it is moments from the sea, and Morro Bay offers some excellent shelling opportunities, as well as some beautiful beaches like Spooner's Cove and Morro Strand State Beach. The rolling foothills of the Los Padres National Forest also play host to some wonderful vineyards, and an afternoon of wine tasting is a huge part of the fun of a visit to San Luis Obispo.

The town is a bustling, lively sort of place, in part due to the large student population from nearby California Polytechnic State University. There are some great bars, restaurants, and cafes in town to enjoy, as well as a vibrant farmers market on Higuera Street on Thursday evenings.

In order to compile this list, we looked for recommendations and advice from California locals on social media platforms, exploring lesser-known coastal destinations and beach spots that are not as accessible or as famous as the big names in California. We cross-referenced this research with authoritative guides from trusted travel websites, as well as word of mouth and personal experience.