Beaches and lighthouses in California

This collection spans the California coastline, featuring historic maritime landmarks and diverse shorelines. It includes the 1855 Point Pinos Lighthouse, the Victorian-style Point Fermin Lighthouse, and the Piedras Blancas Light Station. Coastal highlights range from the bustling boardwalks of Venice Beach and Santa Monica Bay to the rugged sea caves of El Matador State Beach. The list also features functional structures like the 1,000-foot Scripps Pier and the rebuilt Pier 7, alongside natural retreats such as the pebble-strewn Agate Beach and the secluded Sand Dollar Beach.

Beaches and Lighthouses — Map

Blake Everett / CC0

A

Venice Beach

Lively public beach with a scenic sandy shore, boardwalk, and diverse recreational facilities including a skate plaza and outdoor gym.

TeamMachoJAPS / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Santa Monica Bay

Bay of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California featuring scenic beaches, piers, and vibrant marine ecosystems. It includes well-known beaches such as Santa Monica State Beach and Malibu Lagoon State Beach.

Sygic Traveler / All rights reserved

C

Baker Beach

Baker Beach is a public beach on the peninsula of San Francisco, California, U.S.

Brocken Inaglory / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Ocean Beach

This beautiful San Francisco beach is a popular destination for swimmers and surfers.

amy mew / CC BY 2.0

E

El Matador Beach

A beautiful beach with many small coves hidden along the shore. Not very facilitated, but has its own charm.

DreCube / CC-BY-SA-3.0

F

Malibu Pier

An iconic place especially popular with surfers from all around the world. With a number of restaurants, it's a popular free time spot.

Ed Bierman / CC BY 2.0

G

Point Pinos Lighthouse

Point Pinos Lighthouse was lit on February 1, 1855, to guide ships on the Pacific Coast of California.

Alton / Public domain

H

Ocean Beach

Originally known as Mussel Beach, this sandy beach is now a popular swimming and surfing spot.

Mike Baird / CC BY 2.0

I

Piedras Blancas Light Station

Piedras Blancas Light Station is located at Point Piedras Blancas, about 5.5 miles west by northwest of San Simeon, California.

Oren Rozen / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Pier 7

After being demolished during the 1989 earthquake, this pier was rebuilt and designed to accommodate both tourists and fishers.

Amblin new / Public domain

K

Redondo Beach Pier

The Redondo Beach pier is located in Redondo Beach, California and stretches out into the Pacific Ocean.

Davefoc / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Point Fermin Lighthouse

A charming Victorian lighthouse in a close distance to Los Angeles harbor. Take a guided tour and learn about its history.

M

Fan Shell Beach

Located on the Monterey Peninsula's 17-Mile Drive, this white sand beach serves as a protected nesting habitat for harbor seals. It is closed to visitors during the spring pupping season.

Meyer Charlie / CC-BY-SA

N

Venice Fishing Pier

Extending 1,300 feet into the Pacific at the end of Washington Boulevard, this concrete structure provides a designated area for fishing and views of the coastline.

fabiofarias / CC-BY-SA

O

Sand Dollar Beach

The longest expanse of sand in the Big Sur region, characterized by high cliffs and a crescent-shaped shore. It is a site for surfing, fishing, and beachcombing.

P

Pescadero State Beach

A shoreline featuring sandy coves, rocky cliffs, and tide pools. It sits adjacent to a marsh preserve that supports various bird species and steelhead trout.

Q

Scripps Pier

An active oceanographic research pier used by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It serves as a site for gathering biological and physical sea data.

Mike Baird / CC BY 2.0

R

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

Piedras Blancas Light Station is located at Point Piedras Blancas, about 5.5 miles west by northwest of San Simeon, California.

Steve Hedin / CC BY-SA 3.0

S

Los Angeles Harbor Light

Los Angeles Harbor Light, also known as Angels Gate Light, is a lighthouse in California, United States, at San Pedro Breakwater in Los…

T

Agate Beach

Situated within Sue-meg State Park, this rugged shoreline is named for the semi-precious agates found among the pebbles. It is accessible via a steep trail from the cliffside.

U

Agate Beach

A sandy stretch along the Humboldt County coast known for its dramatic sea stacks and proximity to coastal redwood forests.

V

Agate Beach

A beach within the northern California coastal range, offering opportunities for tide pooling and observing local marine life along the rocky intertidal zones.

W

Santa Barbara Island Light

A 40-foot skeletal tower located on the highest point of Santa Barbara Island. This automated, solar-powered light guides maritime traffic through the Channel Islands.

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