During my time in Palo Alto, which is unfortunately many hours away from Southern California, the thing that I’ve missed the most are our beaches. I would consider myself to be an authority on the best beaches in Southern California, and I’ll go over some of my favorite ones.

Laguna Beach (Main Beach): Large, irreproachably beautiful, but often crowded with tourists. In the summer, the sands are filled with people escaping the Midwest cold, and it’s hard to find a spot to sit down. Another result of the beach’s popularity is that people leave their garbage on the sand, which is fun for no one. If you’re new to the city of Laguna Beach, this is definitely a place you must visit but there are better options.

Laguna Beach (Victoria Beach): Victoria Beach is a smaller, more private beach than Main Beach. While still taking advantage of the warmth and beauty of the area, Victoria Beach is cleaner and better for large gatherings.

Salt Creek Beach: As another very popular beach, Salt Creek is famous for its great waves and exciting atmosphere for all levels of beach-goers. You may have to walk down a very long, steep hill to get down to the water, but when you really feel the struggle is on the way up. While I’ve seen every age group at “Creek,” it’s most likely you’ll be surrounded by teenagers when you stop by. It’s also worth noting that you must pay for parking during certain hours.

Strands Beach: Strands Beach (which is really just “Beach Beach,” because Strand is German for beach) is a free, slightly less exhilarating version of Salt Creek. Many people appreciate this beach for the fact that you can see the sunset on the water, but its clean shore and laid-back atmosphere are also great!

Seal Beach: Although I’ve only visited Seal Beach a few times, what struck me about this beach were its rich culture and its clean, warm sand. It has a very easygoing feeling about it and seems like it would make a great day trip for any family out there.

Aliso Beach: Aliso Beach is a relatively small beach that you can drive right up to. When you get into the water, you’ll notice its sharp decline very quickly. This beach is great for small events, but its not my favorite on this list.

Doheny Beach: Doheny is definitely a surfer’s beach. It’s rocky, not sandy, so no need to shuffle on the sand to scare away stingrays, but I always feel like I’ll freeze to death in the water. This beach also has paid parking, but that shouldn’t be a deterrent. No matter what level of surfer you are, it’s a great experience.

Linda Lane: This hidden gem is a fun, family-friendly getaway. The unfortunate parking situation is typical with most beaches, but the only bad thing about this beach is its slim wedge of sand separating the rocks from the water. If you stay until high tide, it’s likely you’ll run out of room, so plan your stay accordingly. While I may seem overly critical of this beach, it’s truly an amazing place!