Fun activities on the beach

With stunning scenery along the rugged Pacific Coast, California’s beaches are great places to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. Sea kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, wakeboarding, surfing, and bodyboarding are popular water sports, while volleyball, basketball, running, hiking, and of course, sunbathing are popular beach activities.

Venice Beach is one of the quirkiest and most creative beaches in California (and that says something). Stroll along the long boardwalk and watch people work out, break dance, skateboard, sell handicrafts, play street basketball and paint at Muscle Beach.

Exploring the coastline in California

What is it? Connected north and south by sandstone cliffs, this one-mile stretch of coastline offers classic views of the California Sea and plenty of ocean activities. It attracts surfers, divers and boaters with the only waterfront pier in town.

On this exposed stretch of the Pacific coast, the water is cold, the waves are huge and the currents are strong. Do not enter the water without a lifeguard nearby. Most visitors prefer to simply stroll along the beach and breathe in the fresh sea breeze.

Panoramic views of the coast

Watch the sunset at Crescent Bay Park – Crescent Bay is the northernmost station in Laguna, located at the intersection of Cliff Drive and Viejo on the North Coast Highway. Enjoy a day at the beach for wakeboarding, body surfing and tide pooling, then relax in the azure waters as you watch the sunset.

Above the beach are sea cliffs that cover the coastal plain. The 800-meter Headlands Loop Trail winds through grass, brambles and other low shrubs to the edge of the cliff. From this vantage point, the views of the coast are stunning.