America's Best West Coast Beach For 2026 Is A California Surfing Hotspot With Upscale Dining

California is one of the world's great beach destinations. With its vast Pacific coastline stretching from San Diego to Brookings, Oregon, the Golden State boasts an incredible array of gorgeous stretches of sand. From the laid-back surf vibes of Malibu and the elegant luxury of the charming coastal getaway of Montecito to the craggy coastline of Big Sur and the remote tranquility of the Lost Coast in Humboldt County, California's beach possibilities are almost endless.

As a result, it is hardly surprising that a Californian beach has been ranked as America's best West Coast beach for 2026. The Global Beach Index 2026 is an in-depth ranking of the 25 best beaches in the world, and Huntington Beach in Southern California is ranked at number 15, making it the second-best in the U.S. and the best beach on the Pacific Coast. Beach.com based its analysis on a combination of expert opinion, data from NASA and the EU, and reviews from members of the public.

Huntington Beach is situated between Long Beach and Laguna Beach, stretching around 3.5 miles from the Bolsa Chica Basin to the Santa Ana River. It is about a 45-minute drive from Los Angeles and half an hour from Anaheim. The nearest airport is John Wayne International Airport (SNA) in Orange County, just 15 minutes away by car.

Huntington Beach is nicknamed Surf City USA, and is one of the best West Coast beaches for surfing and soaking up authentic Californian surf culture. Two of the most important figures in the emergence of surfing as a sport, George Freeth and Duke Kahanamoku, spent much of the early 20th century taking on the waves here, and Huntington has been the home of the U.S. Surfing Championship since the 1950s.

With such venerable surfing history, it is no surprise that many visitors come to catch the waves offshore. Beginners should head to Doheny, although it can get very busy on the weekends. Blackies, around Newport Pier, is another great spot with smaller waves, as is Bolsa Chica Beach, although there are reports of surfers getting stung by stingrays, which might be off-putting. The iconic Huntington Beach Pier is the go-to for more advanced surfers, with breaks to the north and the south. For the experts, Surfside Jetty offers monster swells with a tricky paddle-out. There are plenty of surf shops up and down the seafront, including Jack's Surfboards and Huntington Surf and Sport's flagship store.

If you need a break from the waves, the International Surfing Museum is a great way to pass the time. It takes surf fans on a deep dive into the surfing culture of the area, exploring the history of the sport and how it has defined Huntington, as well as featuring displays of boards throughout the years.

Southern California is a delightful combination of laid-back surfer vibes and upscale elegance, and Huntington is no exception. This gorgeous beach town boasts some fantastic places to eat and drink, as well as several excellent hotels, resorts, and spas.

Seafood is the name of the game for most of the eateries in Huntington, with plenty of casual joints offering great, fresh fish, like Duke's, Kings Fish House, and Sandy's Beach Shack. However, if you are looking for something a little more sophisticated, then it is worth heading to the Watertable in the excellent Hyatt Hotel for seasonal American cuisine and carefully crafted cocktails. Sandbar Cocina y Tequila offers an elegant twist on classic Mexican dishes, while just down the coast, Newport Beach is filled with upscale resorts and restaurants like Nobu and Marché Moderne.

The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa is also one of the best places to stay, just a short walk from the beach, with loads of family-friendly entertainment to keep the kids happy. The Waterfront Beach Resort is another great option, particularly if you want a beachfront hotel, while the rooftop bar at the Paséa Hotel & Spa is unbeatable for a sunset cocktail or two.