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10 Warmest Beaches in California – Based on 2023 Climate Data

We looked at all the latest climate data to determine the warmest beaches in California in 2023 so that you can enjoy a hot and sunny day at the ocean.

It is no surprise that most of the beaches on our list are located in Southern California since SoCal offers much warmer temperatures compared to the rest of the state.

But, we made sure to find a wide range of options within the southern part of the state, with choices around major cities like Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego, all of which are some of the best cities in the state. We even included a section of warm beaches in Northern California for those who can only access NorCal.

We also made sure to include beachfronts that offer a variety of amenities and things to do, including outdoor sports, restaurants, and shopping opportunities, so that there is something to do for all ages besides just laying on the sand.

So, let’s take a look at the warmest beaches in California where you have the best chances to enjoy some pleasant, sunny weather.

The 10 Warmest Beaches in California in 2023

10. Manhattan Beach

warmest-beaches-in-california-Manhattan-beach

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 75 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 65 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

Manhattan Beach is located just south of Los Angeles in Southern California and starts off our list as one of the warmest beaches in California. 

The beach consists of more than two miles of oceanfront and spacious beaches. It also has plenty of parking with over 450 public spaces. 

The sand is incredibly smooth and ideal for volleyball, while the water in the Pacific Ocean is perfect for surfing and swimming. The pier at the end of Manhattan Beach Blvd makes a great place to go fishing all year round as well. 

Manhattan Beach is complete with showers, restrooms, an access mat and ramp to the beach, beach wheelchairs, bike path access, stairs down to the beach, concessions stands, and many restaurants to visit to grab a bite to eat.

9. Imperial Beach

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 75 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 66 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

Imperial Beach, located in the South Bay region of San Diego and just five miles north of the Mexico border, is a great beach to visit year round. 

This four mile stretch of beach has no end of activities, including beach volleyball, surfing, fishing, swimming, and even horseback riding along the California coast.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Beach Pier gives visitors a breathtaking view of the Los Coronados Islands. 

Imperial Beach is also home to the Tijuana River National Estuary, a prime spot for birdwatching, and the Outdoor Surf Museum, a public art project found in and around the pier. 

The beaches have bathrooms and showers, and there are many restaurants located nearby. 

8. Oceanside

warmest-beaches-in-california-Oceanside

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 77 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 65 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

At number eight for the warmest beaches in California, we have Oceanside, which is located near San Diego. With three miles of beach, Oceanside is home to an array of different beaches. 

Harbor Beach has a large area of sand and perfect water for surfers, while Tyson Street Beach is rockier and doesn’t allow surfing.

Meanwhile, Pier View South Beach is popular for families and children with nice sand and surf to swim in. 

The beaches are ideal for building sand castles, and are home to international surfing competitions and endurance events. 

Oceanside’s beaches also have an array of parking, restrooms, showers, volleyball, fire pits, and picnic areas. 

7. Solana Beach

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 77 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 65 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

Solana Beach, which loosely translates to “sunny spot”, reflects its title as one of the warmest beaches in California. It is about a 30 minute drive from downtown San Diego and is located on the northern coast of San Diego County

Solana Beach is home to many fantastic beaches, including Tide Beach Park, known for its beautiful sandy beaches with a large reef and tide pools.

There is also Fletcher Cove Beach is a smaller inlet that is perfect for surfing and swimming, and is one of the best places to watch the sunset. 

Additionally, the quaint downtown of Solana Beach is full of places to shop, eat, and listen to fantastic live music. The community is also home to the Fiesta del Sol, which is held there every May. 

6. Santa Barbara

warmest-beaches-in-california-Santa-barbara

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 78 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 66 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

Santa Barbara is located north of Los Angeles and is home to some of the warmest beaches in California as well as some of the best. It is known for its miles of sunny coast and array of calm water and surf-friendly waves.

Each beach has its own special qualities. Leadbetter Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Santa Barbara, is an artificial beach that is popular for surfing.

There is also East Beach, which is ideal for volleyball and other activities, making it a family friendly spot, while Butterfly Beach is a great place to relax and watch the sunset. 

While each beach has its own set of amenities, many of them have restrooms and showers. Some, like Leadbetter Beach, are also close to many top restaurants.

Of course, the city of Santa Barbara offers tons of things to do around town as well. 

5. La Jolla Shores Beach

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 79 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 66 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

La Jolla Shores Beach, located south of Solana Beach, is a stretch of clean, soft sand that reaches over a mile long. Unlike the other beaches in La Jolla, which are small and broken up by rocky areas, it is an ideal place to spend the day. 

The ocean bottom is sandy, making it the perfect spot for swimming, surfing lessons, and scuba diving. The soft sandy beach is also great for volleyball and family activities.

The beach is divided into surfing and swimming areas, and has areas for volleyball, boat launches, and fire pits. It also has free parking and many restaurants nearby.   

As one of the warmest beaches in California, La Jolla Shores Beach is a favorite among many visitors.

4. Laguna Beach

warmest-beaches-in-california-laguna-beach

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 79 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 67 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

Just an hour south of Los Angeles, Laguna Beach is home to seven miles of beaches and coves. It has 36 different beaches with sea caves, tide pools, hiking paths, marine sanctuaries, and various other areas to explore.

With its sandy beaches, Laguna Beach is a prime spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, and body surfing, especially at Pearl Street Beach. There are also various amenities, such as restrooms, picnic tables, campgrounds, and accessible features. 

As one of the warmest beaches in California, Laguna Beach is also home to many art events, such as the Sawdust Art Festival, making it a lively and beautiful place to visit.

Meanwhile, nearby Newport Beach offers very similar weather, but a much different vibe. Check out all the similarities and differences between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach here.

3. Avila Beach

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 82 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 61 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

Avila Beach is located about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and is perfect for a beach day because of its sunny and warm micro-climate.

The area is known for its white sand beaches, which are great for scouring the beach for driftwood, shells, and other finds, while the water is ideal for swimming and surfboarding. There are many boardwalks and scenic areas to explore as well. 

The beach has free street parking, restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and a playground. It is also close to town, which has many shops, restaurants, and activities, making it a fantastic place for some family fun. 

2. Seal Beach

warmest-beaches-in-california-seal-beach

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 83 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 67 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

Located between Long Beach and Huntington Beach in Orange County, Seal Beach is the second warmest beach in California.

With one and a half miles of beach, Seal Beach has wide, sandy beaches that are great for surfing, sunbathing, swimming, volleyball, and the warm water and currents is ideal for fishing, bodyboarding, swimming, and windsurfing.

The pier also offers amazing views, and is a great place to sightsee and watch the sunset. 

The beach provides restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, benches, fishing piers, parking, and areas for kids to play.

In addition, there are many restaurants and places to shop around the beach, among various other attractions.

1. Long Beach

warmest-beaches-in-california-long-beach

Average High Temperatures – Summer: 84 degrees
Average High Temperatures – Winter: 68 degrees
Location: Check on Google Maps

Long Beach is located just a half an hour from Los Angeles and tops our list as the warmest beach in California.

Home to eleven miles of shoreline and soft sandy beaches, Long Beach is popular for many people due to its family friendly beaches, such as Alamitos Beach, where visitors can watch the waves from the dry sand.

From kitesurfing on Belmont Shore to kayaking or paddleboarding, the beaches are also an excellent spot for recreational activity. Visitors can also explore the aquarium and check out the tropical reef habitat found in Long Beach

The beaches have an array of restrooms, showers, walking paths, and paved bike paths that make it a well-rounded spot.

With the various activities and beautiful beaches, it is the perfect place to enjoy the warm weather of southern California.

There is also the nearby Huntington Beach, which also offers a great climate, although a bit of a different experience. You can find out how Long Beach and Huntington Beach differ in this article.

Warmest Beaches in California – Summary

Overall, the warmest beaches in California to ensure a good time are:

  1. Long Beach
  2. Seal Beach
  3. Avila Beach
  4. Laguna Beach
  5. La Jolla Shores Beach
  6. Santa Barbara
  7. Solana Beach
  8. Oceanside
  9. Imperial Beach
  10. Manhattan Beach

They all offer great weather nearly all year-round and are the best place to count on a warm experience by the water in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the warmest beaches in Northern California?

You won’t find many warm beaches in Northern California with never-ending sun and temperatures in the 80s like you can experience in SoCal, but there are still some nice spots where you can sunbathe and swim during the summer.

Here are some top picks for the warmest beaches in Northern California:

This popular spot is about an hour south of the Bay Area and features summer temperatures that usually reach around 75 to 80 degrees, making it one of the warmest beaches in Northern California.

This beach is way up north and is about a 4 hour drive from San Francisco, but it offers warmish summers where high temperatures usually reach about 70 degrees.

Half Moon Bay is located in between San Francisco and San Jose right in the Bay Area and features four distinct sandy beaches that are also rated as some of the most family-friendly beaches in the whole state. Temperatures here also reach around 70 degrees in the summer, making it a good choice for those looking for warm beaches in Northern California in the Bay Area.