Gotta agree with these pros after experiencing it in person myself

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We Asked 9 Travel Pros for the Best Summer Beach Getaway in the U.S.—and They All Picked the Same Place
Experts recommend one state in particular for its mix of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and outdoor activities.
Attention, beach bunnies: Summer is here, so we hope you've got a strong stockpile of sunscreen, floaties at the ready, and that umbrella locked and loaded. And according to nine travel experts, there's only one place you need to go for a beachy vacation in 2026: California. Whether you head to the varied, family-friendly shores around San Diego, pair water activities with wine tasting on a couples trip to Santa Barbara, or find tranquility amid the natural beauty of the NorCal coast, the state is packed with options for everyone. Here are their top recommendation s.

San Diego
With excellent beaches and a wide range of activities, San Diego is a favored spot for several experts.

"Thanks to its nearly perfect weather, San Diego is one of the best beach getaways year-round, but summertime in America's Finest City is truly something else," Gokhan Gunver, general manager of The Wayfarer San Diego, said. "San Diego's coastline is defined by its diversity, with each beach neighborhood offering a distinct experience. Whether travelers are drawn to surf culture, scenic beauty, or a more refined coastal escape, there is something for everyone." Those distinct experiences, Gunver explained, include surf culture along Pacific Beach, animal watching at La Jolla Cove, and fantastic kayaking in the nearby sea caves.

La Jolla
La Jolla may be just north of San Diego, but it has a character entirely its own. "What makes La Jolla stand out is its combination of natural beauty and cultural appeal," Mark Schoenberg, the Les Clefs d'Or chief concierge at La Valencia Hotel, said. According to Schoenberg, its dramatic cliffs and clear waters make it perfect for snorkeling, and its thriving arts scene and boutique shopping make it ideal for those who prefer to stay on dry land. "Beyond the water, visitors can go paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport or explore contemporary exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego," Schoenberg added. As for where to stay, he pointed to his own La Valencia Hotel, affectionately known as the "Pink Lady." However, this, he added, "is more than just a place to stay; it's a defining piece of what gives La Jolla Village its unmistakable charm and character."

Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach drew plenty of praise from the experts, simply because it doesn't feel like anywhere else on the California coast.

"Laguna Beach offers one of the most picturesque coastal settings in California, with its small coves, clear water, and cliffs," Carolita Urrestarazu, head of business development USA at Nuba Travel, shared. "The weather is particularly good during the season, hot and dry with breezy nights," and the town itself "feels intimate, laid-back, and design-driven."

In Laguna Beach, Urrestarazu says she likes to keep her itinerary loose, but usually includes exploring the coves, taking a surf class, and walking the beach until the sun drops. 

Santa Barbara and Ventura
The Santa Barbara and Ventura corridor deserves all your summer attention, according to Reneille Velez, travel advisor and founder of GIAN. "You get the beaches, the architecture, the farmers markets, and some of the best wine tasting in California all within reach," she said. "What makes it exceptional is the layering. Spend your mornings on the water, your afternoons exploring the Santa Ynez Valley wine trail, and then drive 20 minutes inland to Ojai."

Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a distinctly different kind of California beach experience, with a quieter, more intimate mood. "It has this rare combination of a beautiful white-sand beach and a very quaint, almost European-style village feel. It's relaxed, walkable, and feels a world away from the busier parts of the state," said James Turner, founder and CEO of 360 Private Travel. He recommends splitting time between Carmel Beach, the town's galleries and boutiques, and Big Sur for "some of the most dramatic coastline in the U.S." For a stay, go for the Post Ranch Inn, which he calls "one of the most iconic luxury properties in California, set right on the cliffs with incredible ocean views." For dinner, make a reservation at Terry's Restaurant & Lounge at Cypress Inn, which he described as "elegant but still very warm and relaxed" with "a bit of local character."

Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is more than just its boardwalk, according to Markus Krebs, general manager of La Bahia Hotel & Spa. As he explained, the coastline here sits inside the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, "an underwater national park that runs deeper than the Grand Canyon," filled with sea otters, migrating whales, and dolphins, all of which make near-daily appearances at the surface. And surf culture here, he added, runs deep. "Santa Cruz's surf culture traces back to 1885, when three Hawaiian princes introduced wave riding to the mainland, commissioning redwood boards and sharing their knowledge with locals in Monterey Bay," he shared. "Decades later, the sport evolved into a global, year-round pursuit when surf pioneer Jack O'Neill made his mark here, debuting the wetsuit and forever changing how, and where, people surf." Though surfing isn't the only must-do activity in town. According to Krebs, the nearby Salinas Valley and wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains make it a fantastic food destination as well. "Access to local produce, locally produced wines, and access to sustainable seafood combine to make Santa Cruz the nexus of California cuisine."

Sea Ranch
Jessica Randhawa, founder and head chef of The Forked Spoon, wants you to travel further north than the rest of the experts to a place she loved so much that after traveling there, she bought a house. Specifically, it's the town of Sea Ranch, a community of around 2,000 houses built into 10 miles of Northern California coastline. Here, she said, travelers will find 60 miles of trails spanning "ocean-sprayed ocean bluffs, tide pools, meadows, mixed conifer forest, redwood forest, and a river." It's a delightful place that never feels crowded. "Even on the 'busy' Fourth of July holiday, the place is mostly empty," she said. "There is simply nothing else like it." Her one must-do in town is making a stop by The Sea Ranch Lodge for a meal or a walk.

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Here's a photo I took of Laguna Beach:




Carmel-By-The-Sea:

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Santa Barbara:

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Santa Cruz:

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San Diego:

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La Jolla: