La Playa
San Diego, CA
La Playa is a genuinely historic Point Loma neighborhood along San Diego Bay, with shoreline access at the ends of Talbot Street and Bessemer Street. It's a quiet, low-key stretch of calm bay water, more residential than beach-town in character.
A genuinely quiet, historic bayside neighborhood, worth a walk more than a swim.
How we score beachesThis is a real neighborhood shoreline rather than a beach destination, a quiet spot for a walk more than a swim.
On-street parking near the street-end accesses.
Sheltered bay water warms up earlier in the season than the open ocean nearby.
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.
