Hueneme Beach Park
Port Hueneme, CA
A working class beach town stop with a fishing pier and none of the polish of its Malibu neighbors up the coast, which is exactly why locals like it. Wide sand and reliable parking make it the practical choice over the more crowded beaches in nearby Ventura.
The pier is a good spot to check conditions before you commit to setting up on the sand.
More Pacific Coast beaches
Zuma Beach
Malibu, CA · Pacific Coast
A wide stretch of sand backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, with reliable swells that draw surfers year-round and plenty of room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Known as Surf City USA, with a mile-long municipal pier, consistent breaks for surfers of every level, and a laid-back boardwalk scene along Pacific Coast Highway.
Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Tucked between rocky headlands, with tidepools to explore at low tide, calmer coves for swimming, and an arts-town backdrop of galleries and cafes just steps from the sand.