Top 10 California Beach Getaways

Manchester State Beach in Point Arena is known for its winds and driftwood.

A surfer rips up the waves at Rincon in Santa Barbara.

Beachgoers seek solidarity along the coast¿s most spectacular shoreline: El Matador Beach.

The waves are calm along this stretch of Cayucos in San Luis Obispo County.

Volleyball games often break out along Cowell¿s Beach in Santa Cruz.

Waves crash on Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands.

Point Lobos in Carmel includes a marine reserve and offers terrific views.

Coronado Beach lures swimmers, sand sculptors, tide-poolers and, from December through February, whale-watchers.

Asilomar State Park in Pacific Grove includes a walking trail along the beach.

Playa del Rey¿s Dockweiler Beach features gentle waves and pits for bonfires.