Long Beach

You’ll find this golden stretch of sand along California’s southern coastline, just a 30-minute drive away from Los Angeles. 

All the essentials are in place here, including lifeguard posts, showers, restrooms, and lots of parking spots nearby. And there’s a promenade backing on to the beach that is particularly popular with cyclists and skaters.

As for the beach itself, there’s usually plenty of elbow room as this isn’t the busiest of beaches along this stretch, so if you’re not a fan of crowded sands then it’s likely to be a good choice.

The sand here is soft and golden, and the waters are usually fairly calm - partly due to the breakwaters in place, which means it’s not a surfing hotspot.

That said, you might find a few kiteboarders in the water, but the watersports scene here is fairly limited.

On the facilities front, there are no places for food or drinks on the beach, so it’s best to bring your own supplies if you’re setting down for the day, although you will find plenty of places just along the sands by Belmont Pier, which is around a 10-minute walk away. There’s also a beachfront restaurant at the opposite end of the beach at Junipero Beach.

And if you fancy taking a break from the sands, you’ll find an abundance of greenery in the park behind the promenade - it runs for the entire length of the beach and is a popular spot for joggers and walkers.