Last Updated on July 7, 2025
California is known for its sun-kissed beaches, laid-back lifestyle, and vibrant Pacific Ocean culture. It also has its share of picturesque boardwalks with amusement parks and places for fishing, strolling, and watching surfers catch a wave.
In 1964, the Drifters captured the California beach culture in a popular song titled “Under the Boardwalk,” a still beloved tune.
As a California resident, I know these beach towns and boardwalks well. They all provide unforgettable experiences, stunning ocean views, captivating coastal vibes, and awe-inspiring sunsets.
Huntington Beach
Known as Surf City, USA, picturesque Huntington Beach has a stunning pier measuring 1,850 feet in length, one of the longest on the West Coast. Surfers and beach volleyballers of all ages abound on the vibrant waterfront. Sitting at the heart of Huntington Beach, it’s certainly the most photographed site in town.
On the Sand
This two-bedroom, two-bath colorful condo on the beach can sleep up to six. Its location is ideal right next to the Huntington Beach Pier and Main Street. You can even watch the surfers and other beach activities from your balcony.
Life’s a Beach House
If you have a large group, you’ll be able to all stay together for less than you’d pay for separate hotel rooms. This four-bedroom, 4.5-bath just steps from the beach can sleep up to 10 guests, offering gorgeous ocean and pier views. The vacation home also boasts an outdoor firepit, balcony, and terrace.
Where to Play
Don’t miss a visit to the International Surfing Museum dedicated to preserving the past, present, and future of the surfing culture. The small but impressive museum houses collections of surf memorabilia from around the world.
Newport Beach
This Southern California beach town has evolved into an icon of sophistication and chic coastal living while retaining much of the seaside village charm of yesteryear. Its stunning beaches, nature, two ocean piers, and quaint neighborhoods and islands make this a spectacular beach escape destination.
Surfers love The Wedge, one of Southern California’s most famous surf spots with swells reaching 18 to 20 feet. The 1,032-foot walkable Newport Pier is popular with pelicans, seagulls, and avid fishermen.
Where to Stay
Newport Peninsula
You just can’t beat a beachfront location, which is why this three-bedroom, two-bath that accommodates up to six guests is ideal. The pet-friendly vacation rental includes complimentary beach chairs and on-site kayak/canoe and water sports are available to rent.
The Sand Castle
This stunning corner beachfront home offers three bedrooms, 2.5 baths and can sleep up to eight guests. The vacation home also features two living rooms, two fireplaces, stained glass windows, a private patio, outdoor dining and chic beachy welcoming décor.
Where to Play
Crystal Cove State Park is such in iconic Newport Beach site, a rustic seaside colony with 24 vintage and restored coastal cottages built in the 1930s and 40s, beautifully paying homage to an earlier time.
San Clemente
This somewhat sleepy beach town offers a classic California beach vibe that is especially felt as the sun goes down. The iconic San Clemente Pier stretches out over the water and offers palm-lined shores and a lovely sandy beach walk in both directions.
San Clemente means “Spanish village by the sea” and that’s exactly what it is. Easily walkable, the town is surrounded by enchanting white Spanish colonial architecture and stunning mountain and ocean views.
Where to Stay
Monterey A Beach Cottage
Featuring stunning full ocean and pier views from practically every room, the three-bedroom, three-bath cottage just 200 yards from the beach can accommodate up to eight guests.
The two-story vacation home offers a sunroom and two balconies, two master suites on the second level and one guest bedroom on the first.
Mermaid Cottage by the Sea
If you’re looking for a bit more space, the 4-bed, 3-bath two-story cottage will make everyone happy. The vacation home offers soaring vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and a 75” television with soundbar for movie nights. The home can sleep 10, and also offers a patio and a lovely backyard with a grill and firepit, a tree house, swing, and a host of outdoor games included with the rental.
Where to Play
Visitors love the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and touring the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and gardens, two favorite things to do in this quaint beach town.
Santa Monica
As one of the most recognizable landmarks in California, the Santa Monica Pier has enchanted visitors for more than a century. The colorful amusement park, complete with a Ferris wheel and vintage carousel sits on the pier overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Where to Stay
Santa Monica Craftsman
You’re only a block from the beach and shopping area in this exceptional 3-bed, 2-bath 100-year-old Craftsman home that can sleep seven. The quaint cottage offers a backyard patio with a grill and includes bikes, boogie boards, and beach chairs for guest use.
Stunning Modern Craftsman Beach House
Family and friends can share space in this four-bedroom, three-bath modern Craftsman just steps from the beach that can accommodate eight guests. The two-story home offers white oak floors, windows that drench the house in sunlight, a cozy fireplace and back patio complete with outdoor seating and a firepit.
Where to Play
The main reason visitors come to Santa Monica is to play on the pier. Not only can you enjoy the amusement park attractions but classic carnival games, mouthwatering treats and live performances.
Santa Cruz
Renowned for its surf culture, beaches, redwood forests, and laid-back lifestyle, this vibrant coastal city located on the northern edge of Monterey Bay is a unique mix of natural beauty, counterculture spirit, and outdoor activities. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a classic seaside amusement park dates back to 1907 and is home to the Giant Dipper, a wooden roller coaster that’s a National Historic Landmark.
Where to Stay
Seabright Beach House
The Seabright neighborhood is known by the locals as the place to be. And its location couldn’t be more ideal. The vacation home is located just across from Seabright Beach and an 8-minute walk to the Beach Boardwalk
The well-appointed three-bedroom, three-bath Craftsman home that sleeps six offers ocean views, a classic front porch and private patio. Boogie boards, five bicycles and beach bear are all included in the rental price.
Historic Victorian Duplex
If you’re into history, this magnificent 4-bed, 2-bath Victorian home on Beach Hill can accommodate eight guests, providing the rare opportunity to stay in one of the oldest and best-kept houses/landmarks in Santa Cruz. The intricate exterior is gingerbread adorned and the interior features lovely antique bedrooms and crystal chandeliers. One of the bathrooms even includes a clawfoot tub and pedestal sink.
Guests are only a two-minute walk to the Santa Cruz Main Beach, Wharf and Boardwalk. If you’re into boogie boarding, the vacation rental includes boogie boards and wetsuits.
Where to Play
Of course, you have to get to the Boardwalk to ride the iconic Giant Dipper or the Dream Wheel Ferris wheel, especially at sunset. You can also get some of your favorite California amusement park foods like beach tacos, fish and chips, clam chowder bread bowls and burrito bowls.
Oceanside
The northernmost of San Diego County beach towns, Oceanside is home to countless professional and leisure surfers for whom surfing is more than a pastime; it’s a way of life. One of the best places to watch surfers catch a swell is from its impressive Oceanside Pier. At 1,942 feet, this promenade is ideal for watching the sun disappear over the horizon. It’s also when beaches are alit with bonfires to ward off the Pacific coastal chill.
With 3.5 miles of sandy beaches and a historic wooden pier, Oceanside easily fits the image of a quintessential California beach town.
Where to Stay
The Sands Villa
This rental property’s location offers stunning ocean views and easy access to shops and restaurants and the Oceanside Pier. The three-bedroom, three-bath home with travertine and limestone flooring with a large oceanfront patio and fire pit can accommodate up to eight guests.
Luxury Beachfront Home
Style, class, elegance, and location. If you’re looking for a larger vacation home to accommodate a group, this is the perfect choice. Guests will be lulled to sleep by the waves in this four-bed, four-bath property that sleeps 10. The backyard oasis offers unbeatable ocean views from the balcony, outside dining and a fire pit for making S’mores.
Where to Play
California Surf Museum chronicles the surfing lifestyle from its origins to modern times with an impressive collection of rotating exhibits and surf memorabilia. It’s absolutely worth a visit. Be sure to spend time walking around the Oceanside Harbor and Village, just a few miles north of the pier. The picturesque New England-inspired harbor village is charming, and this is where dolphin and whale-watching boats are located.
