It’s practically summer all year here, which means beaches tend to fill up fast. While there’s nothing better than cooling off by the ocean, melting amongst droves of people is wildly unappealing. So, taking a little drive and seeking out lesser-known shores is the best way to get fresh air while maintaining a safe distance from others. Whether you’re looking to surf, sunbathe, play beach volleyball or explore rocky coves, there’ll be something for you at these hidden beaches in Southern California!
1. Thousand Steps Beach, Laguna
Nestled in Laguna Beach, California, Thousand Steps Beach is one of the hidden gem beaches in Southern California. Despite its name, the descent includes approximately 230 steps, rewarding hardworking visitors with a pristine stretch of white sand, rock pools brimming with sea life, and a captivating cave after a quick hike.
Exploring the tide pools requires caution due to the rocky terrain, with lifeguards available to ensure safety. This beach offers a perfect blend of adventure and serenity along Southern California’s rugged coastline.
📍Location: 31972 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA
🛟 Facilities and services: outdoor showers, restrooms, lifeguards.
🤿 Great for: Bodyboarding, bodysurfing, and skim boarding.
2. El Matador State Beach, Malibu
This stunning beach features fascinating rock formations and tide pools that are best explored during low tide. Like many of the more secluded beaches, you’ll need to navigate a lengthy staircase to reach the shore.
Be sure to bring your own supplies since there are no amenities apart from a parking lot, and exercise extra caution for non-swimmers. Notably, this beach has served as an iconic filming location for classics such as “Grease.”
📍Location: 32215 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265-2529
🛟 Facilities and services: Parking lot.
🤿 Great for: Sunbathing, strolling, snorkeling.
3. Bluff Cove, Palos Verdes
This hidden beach in SoCal scenic surfer’s haven that offers fantastic options for active beachgoers. The Bluff Cove trail provides stunning views, and as you make your way down to the beach, a steep path leads to the striking Flat Point Rock.
During low tide, you can walk along the narrow shoreline to explore tide pools that are sure to impress. Another trail takes you to an old shipwreck, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes since the area has little sand. Loved by surfers, Bluff Cove is a true gem where visitors should be mindful of their footwear to navigate the rocky terrain safely.
📍Location: 609 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
🛟 Facilities and services: None.
🤿 Great for: Surfing, tidepooling, hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing
4. Sunset Beach, Orange County
This unassuming beach is a local favorite, known for its convenient access, free street parking, and postcard-worthy views. Despite its charm, the beach’s location in front of a private gated community helps keep the crowds away, providing an unusually serene experience compared to neighboring beaches.
Sunset Beach offers restrooms and lifeguards, though you’ll need to bring your own snacks as there are no concessions available. While the nearest town is Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach itself is an unincorporated community in Orange County.
📍Location: 19th St & S Pacific Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
🛟 Facilities and services: Grass park, playground, restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, lifeguard, paved path, benches
🤿 Great for: Sunbathing, swimming, surfing, volleyball, kiteboarding, strolling
5. Moss Point Beach, Laguna
This beach almost vanishes during high tide and is so discreet that even locals often overlook it, resulting in a serene, empty shoreline, even in peak summer. As one of the best secluded beaches in Southern California, it offers a quiet, romantic sunset spot if you time your visit right.
The crystal-clear waters and rugged rocks make it ideal for experienced snorkelers, but swimmers should be cautious due to the hazardous rocky bottom and surrounding rocks. During large swells, the cove can experience significant surf and strong rip currents, making it dangerous for swimmers.
Please respect the environment by not taking or disturbing any marine life, collecting rocks, shells, or marine organisms, as well as fishing, is prohibited at this location.
📍Location: 139 Moss St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States
🛟 Facilities and services: None.
🤿 Great for: Skin diving, scuba diving, strolling.
6. Rincon County Beach, Carpinteria
Rincon Beach is so iconic it’s immortalized in a Beach Boys song (this is where they’re rockin’ the O!) and so hidden that few people know its exact location. This county beach, adjacent to a gated community, remains a serene and largely undiscovered gem, ideal for swimming, shell collecting, and enjoying uninterrupted sunsets.
Located in one of the cutest must-visit small towns near Los Angeles, it offers tranquility but requires extra caution as there are no lifeguards on duty. Stroll around the point, and you’ll reach the famous surf spot celebrated in song!
📍Location: Rincon Point Rd Carpinteria, CA 93013
🛟 Facilities and services: Restrooms, showers, picnic tables, benches.
🤿 Great for: Surfing, swimming, fishing, sunbathing.
7. Victoria Beach, Laguna
You might recognize the iconic Victorian Pirate Tower at the north end of the beach, which takes on a magical, fairytale quality at sunset. Despite its popularity, the beach often remains quiet due to its discreet entrances, making it one of the closest experiences to a private beach that’s still public in Laguna.
This location is full of marvels, from charming homes and tide pools to vibrant reefs. It also offers a range of activities to keep you entertained, including kayaking, volleyball, and tennis. Conveniently, both paid and metered parking are available along the Pacific Coast Highway. For those seeking the best hidden beaches in Southern California, this spot is a must-visit.
🛟 Facilities and services: None.
🤿 Great for: Sunbathing, volleyball, skimboarding, bodysurfing, scuba diving.
8. Point Dume State Beach, Malibu
Does this place look familiar? Then you might have seen it in a few scenes in the Planet of The Apes. Point Dume Nature Preserve’s trail leads to an ancient coastal bluff dune. Most will come for the beautiful and seemingly endless shoreline stretch that features headlands, coves, and white-faced cliffs with green tops and winding wooden slat paths.
However, if you take the stairs from the lookout, you’ll arrive at an incredible beach that’s also a little more sheltered from the crazy winds. It’s also a top spot for watching gray whales during the migration period from December to mid-April. The cliffs at sunset from the beach are a sight to behold—but it does get chilly, so come prepared.
📍Location: 7103 Westward Beach Road Malibu, CA 90265
🛟 Facilities and services: Picnic tables, restrooms, showers
🤿 Great for: Diving, surfing, swimming.
9. Sacred Cove, Palos Verdes
Nestled within the stunning Abalone Cove Shoreline Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, Sacred Cove offers a secluded retreat along the Southern California coastline. This hidden gem is bookended by the prominent Portuguese Point and Inspiration Point, providing excellent views of Palos Verdes, Catalina Island, and migrating whales.
Mostly rocky with a few sandy patches, Sacred Cove reveals tide pools and intricate sea caves at low tide, inviting visitors to explore its beauty. With its rugged coastline and panoramic vistas, Sacred Cove remains a cherished destination for those seeking a peaceful escape and stunning coastal scenery in Southern California.
📍Location: Sacred Cove View Trail, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
🛟 Facilities and services: Trails, toilets.
🤿 Great for: Hiking, mountain biking, tidepooling, whale watching, fishing
10. Escondido Beach, Malibu
As the name suggests, Escondido is literally a hidden beach we can find in SoCal. Discreetly located behind luxury homes in Malibu, and often overlooked by tourists who drive past without realizing it’s there.
The beach is a bit narrow, so it’s wise to check the tides in advance, as high tide leaves little space for setting down a blanket. However, it’s an excellent spot for walking, with a popular local trail extending from Escondido Beach westward to the upscale Paradise Cove.
📍Location: 27420 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265
🛟 Facilities and services: None.
🤿 Great for: Scuba diving, kayaking.
Originally written by Ashlyn Davis.