Best Summer Beach Destinations in Riverside, California, United States

Riverside, United States, Riverside, Destination & Trip Type Pages, Best Summer Beach Destinations

Best Summer Beach Destinations in Riverside, California, United States

1. Corona Del Mar State Beach

A picturesque beach with stunning ocean views, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Features a unique underwater park for exploring marine life.
  • Snorkeling Opportunities: Offers a unique underwater park for an up-close look at diverse marine life.
  • Picturesque Scenery: Boasts breathtaking ocean views that are ideal for photography and relaxation.
  • Swimming Conditions: Ideal for swimming with calm waters and lifeguards on duty.

2. Dana Point Harbor

A scenic harbor offering a wide variety of water activities, including sailing, kayaking, and boat rentals. Home to the famous Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching.
  • Water Activities: Offers a multitude of water activities such as sailing, kayaking, and boat rentals.
  • Fishing Trips: Home to Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching for fishing trips and whale watching tours.
  • Scenic Harbor Views: Features stunning views of the harbor and surrounding mountains.

3. Salt Creek Beach Park

A popular beach destination for surfers, with consistent waves and a beautiful bluff overlooking the ocean.
  • Surfing Conditions: Consistently provides great surfing conditions for all levels.
  • Beautiful Bluff Views: Offers a stunning view of the ocean from its picturesque bluffs.
  • Nature Preserve: Adjoins the Salt Creek Natural Preserve, providing opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation.

4. Doheny State Beach

A spacious beach with calm waters, making it perfect for families with young children. Offers campsites and picnic areas.
  • Family-Friendly: Ideal for families due to its calm waters and kid-friendly atmosphere.
  • Campsites: Features campsites for an extended beach stay.
  • Picnic Areas: Offers picnic areas for a convenient meal while enjoying the beach.

5. Capistrano Beach

A quiet and secluded beach with tide pools for exploring marine life. Dog-friendly with a designated dog area.
  • Tide Pools: Features tide pools for exploring diverse marine life.
  • Dog-Friendly: Has a designated dog area, allowing pets to enjoy the beach alongside their owners.
  • Quiet and Secluded: A quieter, less crowded option for those seeking a more peaceful beach experience.

6. San Clemente Beach

A long sandy beach with beautiful sunset views. Offers volleyball courts and surfing lessons.
  • Sunset Views: Features stunning sunset views.
  • Volleyball Courts: Provides volleyball courts for recreational play.
  • Surfing Lessons: Offers surfing lessons for beginners and intermediates alike.

7. Lantern Bay Park Beach

A small and peaceful beach, perfect for relaxing or picnicking. Features a scenic bay with views of the Dana Point Headlands.
  • Relaxing Atmosphere: Ideal for relaxation due to its quiet and peaceful environment.
  • Scenic Bay Views: Offers beautiful views of the Dana Point Headlands and surrounding bay.
  • Picnic Area: Provides picnic areas for a laid-back beach meal.

8. Crystal Cove State Park

A picturesque state park offering sandy beaches, tide pools, and hiking trails. Provides beachfront rentals for an unforgettable stay.
  • Sandy Beaches: Features multiple sandy beaches for swimming and sunbathing.
  • Tide Pools: Offers tide pools for exploring marine life.
  • Hiking Trails: Features hiking trails for those seeking adventure beyond the beach.

9. Laguna Beach

A vibrant and lively beach town offering various water activities, restaurants, and shops. Known for its beautiful sunsets and artistic heritage.
  • Vibrant Town Atmosphere: Offers a bustling town atmosphere with numerous dining and shopping options.
  • Artistic Heritage: Known for its artistic history, showcasing a variety of galleries and art studios.
  • Water Activities: Provides a wide range of water activities such as surfing, paddleboarding, and scuba diving.

10. Table Rock Beach

A rocky beach offering a unique experience for exploring tide pools and watching surf competitions. Ideal for more experienced surfers.
  • Tide Pools: Features tide pools for exploring marine life.
  • Surf Competitions: Hosts surf competitions, providing an exciting spectator experience.
  • Rocky Beach: Offers a rocky beach environment for those seeking adventure and exploring tide pools.

11. Aliso Beach Park

A family-friendly beach with a playground, picnic areas, and easy access to nearby restaurants.
  • Family-Friendly: Ideal for families due to its amenities such as a playground and picnic areas.
  • Easy Access to Restaurants: Located near numerous restaurants, making it convenient for dining out.
  • Picnic Areas: Provides picnic areas for a relaxed meal during the beach visit.

12. Trestles Beach

A popular surf spot with consistent waves and stunning sunset views. Ideal for experienced surfers.
  • Consistent Waves: Known for its consistent, high-quality waves suitable for experienced surfers.
  • Stunning Sunset Views: Features breathtaking sunset views over the ocean.
  • Surfing Competitions: Hosts surf competitions, showcasing the talents of professional surfers.

13. San Onofre State Beach

A expansive beach offering surfing, camping, and hiking opportunities. Known for its iconic red roof lifeguard towers.
  • Surfing Conditions: Offers great surfing conditions due to its consistent waves.
  • Camping Opportunities: Features campgrounds for an extended beach stay.
  • Iconic Red Roof Lifeguard Towers: Famous for its iconic red roof lifeguard towers that add to the beach's unique charm.

14. Carlsbad State Beach

A scenic beach with a historic lighthouse and access to nearby attractions like LEGOLAND and the Flower Fields.
  • Historic Lighthouse: Features a historic lighthouse that offers tours and stunning views of the ocean.
  • Nearby Attractions: Located near popular attractions such as LEGOLAND and the Flower Fields for additional entertainment options.
  • Scenic Beauty: Offers breathtaking ocean views, making it a picturesque destination.

15. Moonlight State Beach

A tranquil beach with clean waters and easy access to nearby restaurants and shops.
  • Clean Waters: Features clean and inviting waters for swimming and other water activities.
  • Easy Access to Amenities: Located near restaurants, shops, and other amenities for convenience.
  • Relaxing Atmosphere: Offers a peaceful and relaxing environment ideal for unwinding and enjoying the beach.