Share The Article
As I’ve already driven around San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles this spring, I couldn’t help but notice hundreds of Arizona license plates invading our roadways.
And that means one thing — the unofficial kickoff to tourism season.
Woo.
Californians love where they live; I’m certainly not complaining. But come spring and summer, Southern California takes on a new identity with thicker traffic, higher prices, and far less space to toss a pigskin around with the influx of beach crowds.
The good news is SoCal isn’t the only stretch of paradisal beaches gracing the Golden State, whether it’s locals like me looking to escape the madness or the usual vacationers seeking new shores.
Here are 3 coastal towns with postcard beaches and no crowds, ranging from the less-explored Central Coast to unexpected NorCal gems.
Morro Bay: The Central Coast’s Little-Known Slice Of Paradise
One of California’s best kept secrets is San Luis Obispo, typically a pass-thru city for road trippers checking off the famous Pacific Coast Highway from their bucket list.
But SLO has slowly crept up more travelers’ radars with Napa dupes like Paso Robles and underrated beaches like Morro Bay and Avila Beach, recently crowned the number one beach in America by HomeToGo.
Given Avila’s newfound hype, the place to be for wide open shores and astounding backdrops is lesser-known Morro Bay.
Here you’ll find the unmissable Morro Rock rising from the sea, possibly the closest thing mainland America has to St. Lucia’s famous Pitons, creating a true postcard-worthy photo-op.
This idyllic town is far removed from the typical action-packed California beaches you see in movies. You know…bronzed lifeguards, dude-bro skateboarders everywhere, and cheesy boardwalk attractions.
Despite flying under the radar, there’s ample beachside hotels to choose from. If you ask me, I’d stay at the historic Bayfront Inn overlooking aforementioned Morro Rock and walkable to numerous oceanside eateries.
Jenner: Edge-Of-The-World Beauty
No, no, no. Not those “Jenners”. We’ll leave them to TMZ.
This Jenner is one of the West Coast’s best kept secret hideaways that residents from San Francisco, San Jose, and the entire cluster of busy-body Silicon Valley towns love to visit for a quiet weekend in an unsung paradise.
Practically next door to wine country’s Santa Rosa (the easiest airport to access Jenner), this beach getaway beholds some of California’s prettiest natural attractions and have somehow remained hush-hush for mainstream travelers.
Looking for the perfect place to see California’s famous Redwoods with no crowded trails? Check out LandPaths Grove of Old Trees nearby, holding a near-perfect 4.9 Google rating.
But let’s be real — you’re here because you’re wanting a paradisal beach for your next vacation. Jenner exceeds the mark and is actually known for two bodies of water: the Pacific Ocean, obviously, and the Russian River.
Unfortunate name? Sure. But this river not only provides more beautiful scenery, it also leads to quaint beaches of its own if you follow the winding flow toward neighboring towns, such as Monte Rio.
As for Pacific beaches, there’s certainly no shortage. Visitors rave about Jenner Beach, with one recent beachgoer claiming it’s ‘so cute and fun to visit. It’s got to be one of my favorite beach areas’.
But perhaps the most rugged, and seemingly untouched with secluded coves, lies along the coast of Sonoma Coast State Park just south of Jenner.
After a day of sun-drenched adventures, there are numerous Mom & Pop rustic inns to recharge and refuel, such as top-rated River’s End Restaurant & Inn.
Fort Bragg: ‘Glass’ Beaches & Towering Redwoods
Fort Bragg houses one of the largest U.S. Army bases in the nation — that’s long been the claim to fame.
But more travelers should scope out Fort Bragg for its natural wonders, including a beach that could easily slide across your screensaver.
Glass Beach is just as it sounds, except you don’t need to worry about an ER visit after walking through.
One of the West Coast’s most unique beaches offers visitors kaleidoscopic sea glass scattered across its shores.
In fact, there are actually 3 ‘glass’ beaches, but Glass Beach is the most popular to visit and has a well-kept hiking trail for elevated ocean views.
There are numerous cozy seaside cottages to book or you can stay at a fun local favorite, Emerald Dolphin Inn & Mini Golf — what a combo!
One attraction you can’t miss is the historic Skunk Train, a century-old locomotive carrying passengers from the coast and deep into Redwood country.
It was recently featured by the New York Times as one of North America’s most spectacular train rides.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Please visit our sponsor:
Our Sponsor