California, a western U.S. state, stretches from the Mexican border along the Pacific for nearly 900 miles. Its terrain includes cliff-lined beaches, redwood forest, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Central Valley farmland and the Mojave Desert.
One of the most popular destinations in all of North America, California is famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, and Hollywood. Other things unique to California are Coachella, the Wine Country, Silicon Valley, and Surf Culture.
In addition, California offers hundreds of beaches to choose from.
The whole family can swim, walk, run, and play on the sand while on the beach, there are also various activities at the beach that the family can enjoy such as kayaking, island hopping, boat ride, beach volleyball and surfing. The family becomes fit and healthy, going to beaches give so much fun for the kids.
Here at easylivingmom.com, we listed 10 kid friendly beaches in California, one of the beaches may be one of your next destinations.
Read on.
10 Kid Friendly Beaches in California (in alphabetical order)
1. Arroyo Burro Beach
Arroyo Burro Beach, is California’s hidden gem that locals are making an effort to protect, maintain, and keep clean.
Locally known as Hendry’s Beach, this coastline for families as it is the perfect place for safe swimming and beginner surfers.
Take time to sunbathe as your kids play on the soft sand or in the calm waters.
Arroyo Burro Beach is also a great place to go for a relaxing swim, beachcombing, bodyboarding, fishing, and strolling by the beach.
It is also right by Douglas Family Reserve which is a great place to go hiking, biking, and glimpse scenic views of the city and ocean.
2. Balboa Beach
Balboa beach is sun-kissed with many fun water activities that people of all ages will love.
Balboa Beach is a mile-long beach that has nearby attractions family loved ones will appreciate.
Fun things to do in California with kids include going to the beach and going to amusement parks.
This kid-friendly beach destination is right next to Balboa Fun Zone, California’s oldest amusement park, where oldies and youngsters alike can ride the waterfront Ferris wheel, enjoy playing arcade games, tour the nautical museum or rent bikes.
The beach itself is perfect for surfing, parasailing, and fishing. Its amenities include lifeguard stations, fire pits, a fishing pier, restrooms, and picnic tables.
3. Corona Del Mar State Beach
This beautiful beach is so picturesque and is one of the nicest family-friendly beaches in California.
Popular with surfers, scuba divers, and snorkelers. It features a wide sandy beach, volleyball courts, restrooms, showers, barbeque facilities, picnic tables, and fire pits.
It also has a child-friendly coastline as the beach is mainly flat, is not scattered with rocks and pebbles, is very clean, has a gently sloping shore, and has a lifeguard who’s always on the lookout.
4. Coronado Beach
Coronado beach is the safest beach in California for swimming, towards the shore, the waves are very gentle, the waters are usually calm and clear that you can easily see what you’re stepping on.
The numerous lifeguard stations are a big bonus.
Covering 1.5 miles of beautiful shorelines, families adore the beach because of the soft sand, facilities, and spacious areas that are rarely crowded.
Coronado Beach with its beautiful pristine waters has great facilities such as picnic tables, a bonfire, restrooms, and tide pools.
Your teenagers will love going surfing, paddle boarding, and boogie boarding.
Whereas your younger children will have a great time making sandcastles by the shore.
5. Crissy Field East Beach
The beach is a favorite spot for joggers and mother’s taking their babies on a stroll.
It is one of the most scenic and family and child friendly beaches in California. The beach offers magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, and Marin Headland.
This windy beach is also perfect for fun picnics, flying kites, and activities in the water such as kiteboarding and windsurfing.
It also features a grass park, bike paths, historic buildings, restrooms, and a fishing pier.
6. La Jolla Cove
One of the best family beach vacations in California as you can do many fun things together in La Jolla Cove.
The family can bond by having a picnic, flying kites, watching the sea lions and seals, and swimming in the ocean.
More so, the beach is a popular beach in California, because it is a haven for seals and sea lions. Children can watch forever.
The whole family also love the soft sand and cerulean waters.
7. Manhattan State Beach
Manhattan beach is over two miles long and has lifeguard towers all along, making it a safe beach for families. Surfing and swimming are popular pastimes here.
There is a strand alongside the beach for those who fancy a gentle stroll taking in the scenery. Towards to east beach, the strand has a separate concrete path reserved for those who want to cycle along this stretch of coastline. There are also volleyball courts already set up for you to have a game. This beach hosts volleyball tournaments annually as well as surf competitions.
8. Santa Monica State Beach
One of the best beaches in California for kids. The beach features a kids’ play area, picnic tables, bikes for rent, a paved biking area, sports courts, and a lifeguard.
It also offers enjoyable fun activities such as surfing, fishing, beach volleyball, swimming, and sunbathing.
Your Californian weekend family getaways can be enjoyed to the fullest by visiting fun attractions such as the amazing oceanfront Santa Monica Pier.
There are two areas to Santa Monica State Beach: the north beach and the south beach.
The north beach is a picturesque wide sandy beach.
Whereas grassy parks compliment the south beach.
9. South Carlsbad State Beach
South Carlsbad State Beach is perfect for families who want to enjoy quiet time together. Since it is far away from city noise and has fewer tourists and vendors.
Children can build sandcastles on a wide and uncrowded beach, as you lay down with a book in hand or maybe listen to music as you watch the gentle waves.
A wonderful place for camping, the whole family may even enjoy a warm and cozy bonfire at night and wake up early to watch the sunrise.
This coastline also features a lifeguard station to make sure that all beachgoers are safe.
10. Zuma Beach
One of the top toddler-friendly beaches in the state, it features a soft sandy beach, a kids play area, snack bars, picnic tables, restrooms, and numerous lifeguard stations that cover the area well.
Perfect for a chill and relaxing time as you lay on the soft sand and enjoy the fresh breeze.
Zuma Beach is nearby Trancas Canyon Park, a spot great for picnics on the soft grass and has fun playgrounds for your children, and Zuma Canyon Trailhead, perfect for hiking.