5 Charming Beach Towns to Visit in California

With idyllic beaches and serene landscapes, these towns make perfect getaways

people scattered along a beach near cliffs

California’s scenic, road-trip-friendly coastline makes getting behind the wheel easy. Laguna Beach has a 7-mile coastline.

Alamy

Kristin Braswell,

AARP

Published August 18, 2025

California’s coastline contains a treasure trove of idyllic beaches, historical landmarks and serene natural landscapes. As a Los Angeles native, some of my greatest memories include driving to quaint towns along the Pacific Ocean that offer quiet moments of respite from busy city life. I’ve witnessed whales breach in Carmel-by-the-Sea, sipped wine from producers in Santa Barbara tasting rooms and observed art at lively festivals in Laguna Beach.

The scenic, road trip-friendly coastline makes getting behind the wheel easy, and a 2025 survey by Booking.com proves that. Searches on the website for travel to coastal towns like Laguna Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Barbara all increased from 2024 to 2025. In addition, Los Angeles ranked among Booking.com’s top three domestic cities for car rental pickups – making it an ideal starting point to explore California’s coastal stretch. Furthermore, 35 percent of U.S. boomers shared that they would like to take a beach trip, while 47 percent expressed interest in a scenic viewpoint for leisure, giving California’s diverse coastline another competitive edge.

Whether you’re looking for ways to commune with nature along walking trails or delve into the historical legacies and architecture of a place, there’s an oceanside town in California that checks the mark. Read on for five locations to get you started.

Montecito

flowers in a field with a mountain in the background

While in Montecito, California, consider a trip to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which offers six free days throughout the year for visitors 60 and older.

Cecilia Rosell

Montecito is a coastal retreat about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It is located within Santa Barbara County, which is referred to as the American Riviera because of its temperate climate and luxurious yet laid-back vibe. The small unincorporated town maintains a prized location near world-class vineyards and historic sites such as Old Mission Santa Barbara, which is popular for its picturesque gardens and grand bell towers. Memorable restaurants lining a main street called Coast Village Road include Clark’s Oyster Bar, popular for its menu full of shellfish sourced from the California coastline, and the Lion’s Tale, a dimly lit cocktail bar where visitors clink martini glasses and old fashioneds over small dishes. At The Barbara Beach Club, guests enjoy private cabana seating on East Beach while ordering pizza from local favorite Lucky Penny straight to their spot in the sand. Off land, Santa Barbara Sailing Center’s sunset cruises are a popular way to view Montecito from the Pacific Ocean. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden offers six free days throughout the year for visitors 60-plus. The Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, the third-oldest polo facility in the country, hosts lively matches from May through October.

Where to stay: Tucked on a quiet residential street, the newly opened Paraiso Collection features six rentals that can accommodate solo travelers and groups. Guests of the four-bedroom Villa Magnolia have access to farm-to-table menus from Apropos Catering and a private wine tasting at Villa sul Mare.

Mendocino

A trip to Mendocino, California, can include a stop at Noyo Harbor and Noyo Harbor Inn.

Baqi & Natalia Kopelman

Located approximately three hours north of San Francisco, northwestern Mendocino is a rustic coastal community where nature takes center stage. Roads blanketed in an ocean fog reveal sun-swept bluffs on rocky shorelines, while walking trails, cascading waterfalls and towering ancient redwood trees stake their claim inland. Visitors can traverse through scenic terrain aboard the Skunk Train over trestle bridges, through forests and aboard a self-propelled rail bike excursion along the Noyo River. A new 28-seat presidential class car experience whizzes through ancient redwood trees and includes bites and cocktails during the journey.

Tom Yates, owner of KOZT-FM, a local Mendocino radio station, recommends Noyo Harbor, calling it “a real working harbor that has easy access and walkability. There are excellent restaurants, galleries and Noyo Harbor Inn offers AARP discounts.”

Where to stay: The quaint 11-room Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa offers all of the comforts of a home away from home: a central gathering space to play board games near a fireplace and imbibe during the evening wine hour and a garden to relax in during the day.

La Jolla

La Jolla’s coastline offers golden sand beaches and paved trails for walking and biking. Here, a view of La Jolla Cove.

Apostolis Giontzis/Alamy Stock Photo

The seaside town of La Jolla is rooted in community events, from wine and paint nights on the pier to lively performances that showcase global artists at the Epstein Family Amphitheater. La Jolla’s coastline offers golden sand beaches and paved trails for walking and biking. Consider Ellen Browning Scripps Park, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is an ideal location to picnic. Birch Aquarium offers exhibits that showcase marine life. The aquarium provides $3 off admission for adults 62-plus every day. For a fine dining experience that celebrates local bounty, consider the 30-seat newcomer, Lucien, or head to a classic waterfront experience that’s been drawing crowds for more than 40 years at George’s at the Cove.

Where to stay: La Valencia Hotel, nicknamed “the Pink Lady” because of its vibrant exterior color, is a historic property perched above sandstone cliffs called La Jolla Cove. The 114 guestrooms and three on-site restaurants sit just minutes away from La Jolla’s main attractions, all of which a concierge team is available to coordinate visits to.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

When you head to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, consider a stop at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which has a rich marine habitat.

Getty Images

Walking the streets in Carmel-by-the-Sea is reminiscent of a stroll through a charming European village, with architectural styles that include German timber-framed buildings and English country cottages lined by more than 40 courtyards and passageways. The Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Walk mobile guide helps visitors delve into wine tasting rooms such as the sustainably harvested De Tierra Vineyards and family-owned Galante Vineyards. Any trip to Carmel should include the resplendent Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, home to towering cypress trees, a rich marine habitat and walking trails that lead to sightings of sea otters, humpback whales and dolphins.

Where to stay: The centrally located La Playa Hotel features 75 rooms and manicured gardens with seaside vistas. Grab a seat on the terrace of Bud’s for cocktails or lounge poolside. Don’t miss the complimentary champagne breakfast each morning.

Laguna Beach

There are more than 30 beaches in Laguna Beach, California, including Treasure Island Beach.

Jeremy Poland/Getty Images

With more than 30 beaches and arts-fueled activities along a 7-mile coastline, Laguna Beach is a wonderful option for any California coastal getaway. “Laguna Beach is an ideal getaway for visitors 50-plus because of its accessible downtown area and free trolley system,” says Emma York, director of marketing at Visit Laguna Beach. Guests can hop on and off the trolley to visit art festivals that include Pageant of the Masters and Sawdust Art Festival. On the first Thursday of every month, take a free tour of local art galleries during the First Thursdays Art Walk.

Where to stay: The 263-room Montage Laguna Beach offers views of the Pacific Ocean and a number of curated experiences for guests, such as coastal kayak excursions and e-bike tours. The Spa Montage Laguna Beach features a variety of wellness amenities, including whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms.

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Kristin Braswell is a travel journalist and founder of CrushGlobal Travel. She has written for Vogue, CNN, USA Today, Essence, NPR, Architectural Digest, Ebony and the Los Angeles Times, among others.