California beaches???
 

Traveling down the coast from SF to LA the end of June. Spending 2 nights in Pacific Grove, 2 nights in Cambria, and 2 nights in Santa Barbara then flying out of LA. We're from PA and would like to spend some R&R in the sun. Can anyone recommend some lovely beaches along my itinerary? Are your beaches free ( go to NJ and you have to pay for beach tags nearly everywhere)? Thanks!

The beaches on your way are not really "sunning spots" especially that time of the year. Plenty of good beaches for exploring though.

Julia Pfieffer (Big Sur), Cambria has good coastal access, Santa Barbara downtown has big wide beach (ocean has oil though), best bet is Santa Monica/Zuma area just north of LA, but you may not have time.

There are many excellent beaches along the way. The problem is that you have a high probability of there being a heavy marine layer or fog most of the day. June is the worst month of the year for the marine layer and fog. We call it the "June Gloom".

Santa Barbara will be your best bet of the places you are staying as it will generally be warmer than farther north.

The beaches are free in California.

I spent a week in Santa Monica at end of june ;last summer and had a light jean jacket on most days to stay comfortable. It was warm enough some days to take it off for a few hrs around noon, but it went back on in the afternoon. But if you are moving around (roller blading, playing beach volleyball, bike riding, walking) it is of course warmer. I just found I needed a light jacket or long sleeve shirt and jeans for walking on the beach. It was kind of windy too.

To give you a frame of reference - in June it will almost certainly be warmer and sunnier in PA than along the CA coast. It is definitely gorgeous - but we are not talking Gulf of Mexico warm here. This is the Pacific - very cold water and in June usually very foggy.

Meant to add - especially the northern portion of your itinerary (SF > Cambria via Monterey) will be pretty cold.

Inland in the San Joaquin valley it might hit 105F while just over the coast range in SF it will be lucky to break 60F.

"Summer" along the CA coast actually is during Sept/Oct. That is when it is clear and warm.

I'd opt for just 1 night in Cambria then 3 in Santa Barbara, preferably Montecito just south of Santa Barbara. Lovely quiet beach especially if you like to walk and walk and walk the beach. Free Free FREE!

Montecito Inn is lovely or the Coast Village Inn across the street is more of a "motel" and more affordable.

Oh, and not far from Pacific Grove is Marina, check out Marinadunes.com, if you can get a good rate on a room here you'll have an exceptional beach at your footsteps, practically private!

For some classic California beaches, make sure to stop in Santa Cruz, Pismo Beach, and Santa Monica.

The weather will probably be foggy in the morning and sunny in the afternoons. Bring layers so you will be prepared for whatever the weather does.

Well, MOST of the beaches are free, but there are exceptions like Paradise Cove in Malibu, there they charge $15. On the other hand, parking at the beach costs around $7.00 unless you find street parking close by.

There are some spectacular beach areas right in Pacific Grove. Check out Asilomar State Beach on Sunset Drive and Lovers Point beach on Ocean View Blvd. Good walking beaches, but swimming is another story.

Asilomar is a great walking beach; Carmel has two lovely beaches--Carmel and Carmel River, and Point Lobos has two lovely little beaches--China Cove and Gibson. However as has been pointed out Northern California beaches are not swimming/sunbathing beaches like those on the Shore.