Monday, June 15, 2026

From hidden gems to L.A. classics, readers share high picks for California seashores

Over the previous couple of weeks, we’ve requested you, our Important California readers, to inform us what your favourite summer time seashore getaways are. You flooded our inboxes with responses.

In right now’s version, we’re highlighting just a few of your favourite coastal locations, plus a few of the finest seashores in L.A. County — as a result of when June gloom passes, you’ll wish to spend your scorching summer time days stress-free within the sand because the ocean breeze cools you down.

Now let’s get into these seashore getaways:

Responses have been calmly edited for fashion and readability.

“Essentially the most superb seashore within the metropolis is the Marina Peninsula. Large, spotless, by no means crowded as there may be little or no native parking. The very best!” – Marcia Seligson

“For the previous a number of years, I’ve taken my kids and grandchildren to Cayucos, a really small seashore city on the Central Coast. I found it when my girlfriend (now spouse of 49 years) and I looked for distant and lesser recognized getaways. Extremely, at the very least for me, the tiny city has remained comparatively obscure from the ravages Instagram and social media have wrought on so few remaining small California seashore cities. Nice vibes that harken again to extra harmless instances.” – Jonathan Evans

Cayucos, a small city of round 2,500 in San Luis Obispo County, is thought for its classic pier and stellar shoreline.

(Laura Dickinson / For The Occasions)

“If I’m up for native, simple, nice vibes, and plenty of glorious eating places, I head to my yard city of Laguna Seaside. The bluff-top Heisler Park is about nearly as good because it will get for a romantic sundown stroll. Hang around late sufficient, and the golf equipment assist shut out a wonderful day.

“It’s onerous to beat the drive up the coast, particularly by means of Huge Sur. Anybody who’s performed it, which is each Californian ever, is aware of what I’m speaking about, particularly the McWay Falls cease. It’s a drive I usually make as a part of a loop drive to my household in Oregon, which additionally consists of U.S. 395 (which, it needs to be famous, is about the one route that really beats PCH for road-tripping and surroundings).” – Shane O.

“I’ve to say, my favourite summer time seashore getaway has all the time been La Jolla Shores down in San Diego. It has the right mixture of solar, sand and water, together with an incredible beachside park for picnics and lounging about, taking naps and studying books.” – William Barnes

Scenes from La Jolla Shores in San Diego

La Jolla Shores in San Diego wins an Important California reader’s reward for naps and studying.

(Alan Nakkash / For The Occasions)

“Corona del Mar within the early Nineteen Fifties, when all the things east of the sleepy coast was the Irvine Ranch. A full day at Little Corona Seaside with the tidepools, my sisters and Dad, beginning with breakfast on the Snack Store. Or a day at Balboa with its sandy sliver of bayside seashore adjoining to the Enjoyable Zone. Or possibly the large seashore at Laguna after waving to The Greeter, with an hour through the late afternoon to browse the Pottery Shack with Mother.” – Leigh Segel

The very best seashores in L.A. County

Final month, The Occasions put collectively an inventory of the 15 finest seashores in L.A. Countywhich embody quintessential L.A. scenes with curler skaters, surfers, firepits and grasp gliders, expansive views, hidden gems and a few spots the place canine are allowed.

Three people roast hot dogs around a fire pit on Dockweiler Beach.

Guests to Dockweiler Seaside roast scorching canine round a firepit.

(Jade Sadler / For The Occasions)

Venice and Santa Monica seashores made the listing, with their lovely white sand and beachside facilities. Simply don’t swim inside 100 yards to the north or south of the Santa Monica Pier. For the fifth 12 months in a row, that space made Heal the Bay’s dirtiest seashores listing. The water tends to satisfy high quality requirements for the remainder of the three.5-mile stretch of the state seashore, nevertheless.

Native favorites are also highlighted within the roundup, together with Dockweiler State Seaside in Playa del Rey — recognized for its many firepits — and White Level/Royal Palms Seaside in San Pedro, the place scuba divers go to expertise the underwater scorching springs.

Immediately’s high tales

A woman watches as workers clean debris from mudslides.

A girl watches as staff clear particles on Sept. 19 from mudslides that had been triggered by a storm in Forest Falls, Calif.

(William Liang / For The Occasions)

El Niño has arrived

  • A probably historic El Niño is quickly constructing within the Pacific, elevating the percentages of extraordinary climate and coastal results in California this winter and past.
  • Scientists warn it might unleash storms and flooding, whereas greater tides and surf threaten to erase already-eroding seashores.

California’s sluggish vote depend stirs frustration

  • California’s push to increase accessibility and enhance safety in elections has include a tradeoff: slower poll counts.
  • Some election watchdogs are calling for reforms that might ease the frenzy of last-minute mail-in ballots, nevertheless it’s unlikely they’d come in a short time — or if they’d go far sufficient to dramatically velocity up counts.

Historic swells

What else is happening

Commentary and opinions

This morning’s must-read

Different must-reads

On your downtime

An instructor leads students through a workout during the Floating Fitness class

Teacher Leah Gutentag leads college students by means of a Floating Health exercise on the Annenberg Neighborhood Seaside Home.

(Alisha Jucevic / For The Occasions)

Going out

Staying in

A query for you: What’s your favourite California summer time music?

Brooke H. says, “Summertime Ladies” by Bay Space boys Y&T.

E mail us at essentialcalifornia@latimes.comand your response would possibly seem within the e-newsletter this week.

And eventually … your picture of the day

United States of America forward Folarin Balogun.

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, middle, celebrates with teammates after scoring his second purpose in opposition to Paraguay within the World Cup match at SoFi Stadium on Friday.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Occasions)

Immediately’s nice picture is from Occasions photographer Robert Gauthier on the second World Cup match performed on U.S. soil. Group USA dominated in a 4-1 win over Paraguay.

Have an incredible day, from the Important California crew

Hailey Branson-Potts, workers author
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, Quick Break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew Campa, weekend author
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters

How can we make this article extra helpful? Ship feedback to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com. Test our high tales, subjects and the newest articles on latimes.com.

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