Pacific Coast Highway
California's Highway One stretches some 656 miles from San Juan Capistrano in the south and heads north along some of the most awesome wild coastline
in the country to Leggett. One writer described it as 'The country's most picturesque stretch of asphalt.' For many long stretches,
the highway separates rolling green hills from high ocean-cliffs overlooking the blue pacific.
Southern California Deep Sea Recreation
For more adventure tour resources try these MainTour.com special features:
Fishing Adventure Guide - Guide to Saltwater and freshwater game
Boating Adventure Guide - Pacific coast marinas and boat charters
Lagoon Adventure Guide - California coast wildlife adventure guide
Watersports Adventure Guide - Great links to wide variety of aquatic activities
Tour San Diego Harbor - Visit historic, private and commercial watercraft of all sizes
Tour Mission Bay San Diego - Popular boating destination
Tour Channel Islands National Park - Protected marine wildlife habitat assessible only by sea or air.
Tour Catalina Island - Popular tourism resort destination accessible only by sea or air.
Tour Dana Point - Very scenic small craft harbor.
San Onofre
Featuring 3.5 miles of sandy beaches, this place includes the blufftop San Mateo campground and the very famous surf spot, Trestles Beach.
Carlsbad State Beach
This beach offers swimming, surfing, scuba diving, fishing and beachcombing.
This small beach is located at the foot of coastal bluffs, south of Carlsbad Village.
South Carlsbad State Beach
This San Diego beach features swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking.
The large bluff-top campground is very popular, especially in summer. Stairs lead to the beach.
Border Field State Park
Tijuana River Refuge
Historic beach front site contains much of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, an important wildlife habitat.
The salt and freshwater marshes give refuge to migrating waterfowl and resident wading birds, such as black-necked stilt, avocet, teal,
American widgeon and pelican. The park offers hiking, horse trails, surf fishing and birding.
City Beaches of Solana Beach
Beach Website;
There are 1.7 miles of city maintained beachfront bordered on the north by Cardiff State Beach, and on the south by the City of Del Mar.
These beaches provide a wide variety of recreational activities for City residents and visitors.
San Onofre
Featuring 3.5 miles of sandy beaches, this place includes the blufftop San Mateo campground and the very famous surf spot, Trestles Beach.
Oceanside Beaches
Host to annual world surf championships.
Dan Blocker County Beach - Malibu CA
Swimming, Surfing, Fishing, Diving, Portable Restrooms.
Dan Blocker makes for a lovely little cove with clear water and not much surf.
This strip of undeveloped beach has over 200 miles of hiking trails up into the Santa Monica Mountains.
Oceanside Pier
One of the longest piers on the west coast -
very popular for fishing and there is a Ruby's Restaurant on the end.
At the base of the pier is a bandshell which is the site of special concert events.
Mission Bay Park
Miles of bayside shoreline with facilities for picnicking, boating, camping and fishing.
Popular watersport activities include sailing, water-skiing, swimming, wind-surfing and jetbikes.
San Elijo State Beach
Just south of Encinitas - features swimming, surfing and picnicking. The narrow, bluff-backed stretch of sand has a nearby reef popular with snorklers and divers.
The Cardiff Reef is located just off the mouth of San Elijo Lagoon and is a popular surfing spot.
The beach extends along Coast Highway 101, 3/4 mile north from San Elijo Lagoon's entrance channel.
Las Tunas County Beach - East Malibu
West LA Surf Report : 310-457-9701;
Swimming, Diving, Fishing. The easternmost beach in Malibu, this spot is more popular with
fishermen and scuba divers, although swimmers and surfers seeking some private space may flock here as well.
Leo Carrillo State Beach - West Malibu
This state park includes 1.5 miles of coastal beachfront for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing and beachcombing.
The beach also has tide pools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring. Giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds. The park also features back-country hiking.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
The beach features wetlands, flower gardens and sandy beach. The lagoon is where Malibu Creek meets the sea. Malibu Surfrider Beach has a long standing as a premier surfing beach.
On the east side of Malibu Creek Bridge, Malibu Pier allows for excellent saltwater fishing. On the west side of Malibu Creek Bridge, visitors will find
picnic tables and a nature area, excellent for bird watching and a the study of a greatly diminished eco-system a Southern California saltwater marsh.
A museum is housed inside the Adamson House, a registered historical landmark, was built in 1929 as a showcase for Malibu Potteries.
Moonlight State Beach
This wide, sandy beach offers swimming, surfing and fishing. Facilities include volleyball and tennis courts, recreational equipment rentals and a snack bar.
This beach became popular in the early 1900's when local families would come here for
midnight picnics - hence the name.
Nicholas Canyon County Beach - West Malibu
Fishing, Handicap Accessways, Picnicking, Restrooms, Showers, Surfing, Swimming.
Known as Zeros Beach by surfers, is a fun left point break that picks up any swell year round.
It is a great beach for surfing, bodyboarding, and bodysurfing.
Point Dume State Beach
At the end of Westward Beach Road, a gradual ascending trail leads to an ancient coastal bluff sand dune.
Point Dume State Preserve features headlands, cliffs, rocky coves and vast beach access.
Whale Watching - Point Dume is a perfect place to watch for California gray whales during the December - March migration period.
Robert Meyer State Beach - West Malibu
This beach is made up of a number of cove or cliff-foot strands known as "pocket beaches"
along the west end of the city of Malibu: El Pescador, La Piedra and El Matador. Each of these three small beaches are a jewel unto themselves.
These beaches can be crowded during the summer, however during the off season, they offer a perfect opportunity to experience solitude at its finest.
San Dieguito River Park
Partially completed Coast-to-Crest wilderness trail follows the path of the San Dieguito Rivier.
The Park will someday extend from the ocean at Del Mar to Volcan Mountain, just north of Julian
and may even connect with the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park just beyond.
It will wind past Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Escondido, Lake Hodges and Lake Sutherland.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography - UCSD
Scripps Institution of Oceanography (founded in 1903) is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers for marine science research, graduate training, and
public service in the world. Ongoing investigations include the topography and composition of the ocean bottom, waves and currents, and the
flow and interchange of matter between seawater and the ocean bottom or the atmosphere. Scripps's research ships are used in these investigations
throughout the world's oceans. As many as 300 research projects may be underway at any time under that guidance of the 1300 staff members.
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Encompasses 2000 acres of coastal bluff, home to the protected rare Torrey Pines trees.
The Torrey pine is the rarest native pine in the United States. This preserve has oer eight miles of
trails that take you to the coastline and coastal lagoon.
Tour Mission Bay
This large aquatic recreation area has miles of shoreline and small boat marina. Home to Sea World
and Belmont Park.
San Diego - La Jolla Underwater Park
Park Info;
Created in 1970, the underwater park is a continuing community project to preserve the natural ecology, reestablish the underwater sea life and
maintain the natural beauty of the shoreline. Within the Park there are two special areas created by the California Fish & Game Commission;
the Ecological Reserve and the Marine Life Refuge.
La Jolla Beach Tour
One of the best scenic tours in all of San Diego takes you to
a small hidden beach cove tucked in between sea cliffs and tide pools
making it a frequent stopping place for visitors such as sea lions
and harbor seals.
Topanga County Beach - East Malibu
Topanga County Beach is a broad, flat expanse of fine-grained sand. On a clear day you can see Catalina Island 22 miles from shore.
Swimming, Surfing, Fishing, Picnic Area, Restrooms, Showers.
Zuma County Beach - Malibu CA
Swimming, Surfing, Fishing, Diving, Volleyball courts, Food, Restrooms, Showers.
A south swell makes for challenging surfing in the summer.
Zuma has a scenic bike path, which runs northbound about 2.5 miles.
California Coastal Conservancy
13th Floor, 1330 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612; 510-286-1015;
Agency Website;
Established in 1976, this state agency uses entrepreneurial techniques to purchase, protect, restore,
and enhance coastal resources, and to provide access to the shore. We work in partnership with local governments, other public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners.
To date, the Conservancy has undertaken more than 1,000 projects along the 1,100 mile California coastline and around San Francisco Bay.
