Beach Overview of Central Californias Beaches at the Pacific Coast from the north to the south:

Pacifica State Beach:
The city of Pacifica is situated south of the city of San Francisco. Because of the Pacific Coast, the weather in Pacifica is often cold and foggy. The beach at the Pacifica State Beach is located next to the California State Route 1 (Coast Highway / Highway 1). The Pacifica State Beach is a popular surf spot for the local surfers. Therefore the parking lot is often crowded. A wet suit is necessary because of the cold temperature of the Pacific Ocean. Restrooms are provided at this beach. No parking fee is charged at the Pacifica State Beach (as at: September 2009).

Montare State Beach:
The Montare State Beach  is situated at the California State Route 1 (Coast Highway / Highway 1). A wide leveled sandy beach is located at the Montare State Beach.  The waves at the Montare State Beach are rather big. Restrooms are provided at this beach. No parking fee is charged at the Montare State Beach (as at: September 2009). Parking space is limited at this beach.

Pillar Point Harbor Beach:
The Pillar Point Harbor Beach is a popular surf spot for the local surfers. The waves at the leveled sandy beach are rather small. No parking fee and no entrance fee is charged at the Pillar Point Harbor Beach (as at: September 2009).

Roosevelt State Beach:
The Roosevelt Beach is a nice wavy sandy beach. The waves are rather small at this beach. Restrooms are provided at the Roosevelt Beach. The parking fee at the Roosevelt Beach is $10.- (as at: September 2009).

Half Moon Bay State Beach:
The Half Moon Bay Beach is a pretty sandy beach with big waves. Restrooms are provided at the Half Moon Bay Beach. The parking fee at the Half Moon Bay State Park is $10.- (as at: September 2009).

San Gregorio State Beach:
Ponds are located at the very wide leveled sandy beach of the San Gregorio State Beach. The water at these ponds is during the summer months warmer than the cold water of the Pacific Ocean. Restrooms are provided at the San Gregorio State Beach. The parking fee is $8.- at this beach (as at: September 2009).

Pomponio State Beach:
Ponds are located at the leveled sandy beach of the Pomponio State Beach. The water at these ponds is during the summer months warmer than the cold water of the Pacific Ocean. Restrooms are provided at the Pomponio State Beach. The parking fee at this beautiful beach is $8.- (as at: September 2009).

Pescadero State Beach:
High dunes are located between the parking lot and the wide sandy beach of the Pescadero State Beach. The sand of the dunes is very loose. Therefore the walk over the dune is exhausting. A leveled dreambeach is located at the other side of the sand dune. Wood is lying in the sand of this beach. The waves of the Pacific Ocean are rather big at this beach. Restrooms are provided at the Pescadero State Beach. The parking fee at the Pescadero State Beach is $8.- (as at: September 2009).

Pebble Beach State Beach:
The small beach at the Pebble Beach State Beach is not very pretty. The beach is located in front of a small cliff. Rocks are situated at both sides of this beach. No restrooms are provided at the Pebble Beach State Beach. No parking fee and no entrance fee is charged at this beach (as at: September 2009).

Bean Hollow State Beach:
The original spanish name of the Bean Hollow State Beachs is “Arroyo de los Frijoles”, which means “Creek of the Beans”. The americanization of the original name caused todays name of the Bean Hollow State Beach. Restrooms are provided at the leveled sandy beach of the Bean Hollow State Beach. No parking fee and no entrance fee is charged at this beach at the Pacific Coast (as at: September 2009).

Big Basin Redwoods State Beach:
The beach at the Big Basin Redwoods State Park is a wide sandy beach with small waves. The Big Basin Redwoods State Beach is located next to the California State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway / Highway 1). Parking space is available at the roadside of the California State Route 1. Restrooms are provided at the Big Basin Redwoods State Beach. No entrance fee and no parking fee is charged at this beach.

Scott Creek Beach:
The Scott Creek Beach is a very wide leveled sandy beach. Rocks are located at both sides of the beach. Parking space is available at the roadside of the California State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway / Highway 1). The last picture shows an overgrown pond at the other roadside at the Scott Creek Beach. No restrooms are provided at the Scott Creek Beach. No entrance fee and no parking fee is charged at this beach.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk:
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a small amusement park, that is located at the beach of the city of Stadt Santa Cruz. The well known Santa Cruz Boardwalk is popular among american students. They like to spend a day at the beach of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. A stage and lots of trash cans are situated at the beach of the Santa Cruz Boardwalks. Restrooms are provided at the Boardwalk. No entrance fee is charged at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Parking space is available at the roadside. A parking fee is charged at the parking meters. More parking lots ia available. A daily parking fee is charged at these parking lots (as at: September 2009).

New Brighton State Beach:
The New Brighton State Beach is located south of the city of Santa Cruz, near to the city of Capitola. The beach at the New Brighton State Beach is a leveled sandy beach. A campground and restrooms are provided at the New Brighton State Beach.The parking fee is $10.- (cash only!) at this beach(as at: September 2011).

Seacliff State Beach:
A wide sandy beach is located at the Seacliff State Beach. A stairway leads from the parking lot to the beach. A small park store, a visitor center, a campingground, grills, a fishing pier with a shipwreck, restrooms, showers and lifeguards are provided at this beach. Washed up parts of plants, shells and wood are lying in the sand of the Seacliff State Beach. The entrance fee resp. the parking fee is $10.- (as at: September 2011).

Manresa State Beach:
The Manresa State Beach is located at the San Andreas Road. Washed up parts of plants are lying in the sand of the Manresa Beach. Warning signs inform about strong currents at this beach. Lifeguards, a campground and restrooms are available at the Manresa State Beach. The entrance fee resp. the parking fee is $10.- (as at: September 2011).

Sunset State Beach (northern beach access):
The main entrance to the Sunset State Beach is located at the northern entrance. Campgrounds, grills, showers and restrooms are provided at the Sunset State Beach. The parking lot at the Sunset Beach is rather small. A narrow and steep road leads to the parking lot.  Washed up parts of plants and wood are lying in the sand. The entrance fee resp. the parking fee is $10.- at the Sunset State Beach (as at: September 2011).

Sunset State Beach (southern beach access):
The parking lot at the southern entrance to the Sunset State Beach is rather small. Showers and restrooms are available. Washed up parts of plants and wood are lying in the sand. The entrance fee resp. the parking fee is $10.- at the Sunset State Beach (as at: September 2011).

Zmudowski State Beach:
A white sandy beach is located at the Zmudowski State  Beach. Water activities are not possible. Strong currents do exist at the Zmudowski State Beach. This beach is a good place for fishing. The parking lot at the Zumdowski State Beach is small. No parking fee and no entrance fee is charged at the Zmudowski State Beach (as at: October 2011).

Moss Landing State Beach:
A small road leads from the California State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway / Highway 1) to the Moss Landing State Beach. A trail leads from the parking lot over a sand dune to the sandy beach. The waves are big at the Moss Landing State Beach. Warning sighs inform that swimming and wading is dangerous at this part of the Pacific Coastline. Surfers need a wet suit because of the cold temperature of the Pacific Ocean. Restrooms are provided at the Moss Landing State Beach. No parking fee and no entrance fee is charged at the Moss Landing State Park (as at: September 2009).

Seaside Beach:
The waves are big at the scenic Seaside Beach. The leveled sandy beach is situated behind sand dunes. Surfers need a wet suit because of the cold temperature of the Pacific Ocean. Restrooms are provided at the Seaside Beach. No entrance fee and no parking fee is charged at the Seaside Beach (as at: September 2009).

17 Mile Drive (Pebble Beach):
The 17 Mile Drive is located south of the city of Monterey. The approach from the California State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway / Highway 1) to the 17 Mile Drive is marked with signs. The entrance fee at the private owned 17 Mile Drive is $9,25 (as at: September 2009). The entrance fee must be payed with cash (cash only, no shecks and no creditcards are accepted). At the 17 Mile Drive, there are mansions and an interesting coastal landscape with two beaches and the famous cypress, the so called “Lone Cypress”. At the southern side of the 17 Mile Drive, a road leads straight to the city Carmel by the Sea.

Spanish Bay Beach - Lots of big pebble stones are lying between the parking lot and the sandy beach of the Spanish Bay Beach. A lot of washed up parts of plants are lying in the sand of this beach. No restrooms are provided at the Spanish Bay Beach.

Bird Rock Beach - The sandy beach at the Bird Rock Beach is situated next to the parking lot. A lot of rocks are located at this sandy beach. No restrooms are provided at the Spanish Bay Beach.

Carmel by the Sea Beach:
A popular picturesque white beach is located at the city of Carmel by the Sea.  Parking space is limited at this beach. Restrooms are provided at the beach at Carmel by the Sea. Carmel is famous for its boutiques and for its former  mayor, the actor Clint Eastwood. No parking fee ich charged at this beach (as at: September 2009).

Monastery Beach (Carmel River):
The pretty Monastery Beach is located at the Carmel River, which is situated south of the city of Carmel by the Sea. Parking spaces are available along the roadside of the California State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway / Highway 1). The Monastery Beach shouldn’t be used for swimming. Swimming is dangerous at this beach. Warning sighs inform that there are dangerous currents. Even divers have been drown at the Monastery Beach! The sand at the Monastery Beachs is very coarsed. Restrooms are provided at this beach. No parking fee and no entrance fee is charged at the Monastery Beach (as at: September 2009).
Note: The picture of the sand is slightly enhanced.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park:
A scenic white sandy beach is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Hiking trails, restrooms and a campground are provided at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. A 0,25 Miles long trail leads from the parking lot to the viewpoint of the beach and the waterfall. The parking fee is $10.- (as at: September 2011).

William R. Hearst Memorial Beach:
The William R. Hearst Memorial Beach is located at the California State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway / Highway 1), near the driveway to the Hearst Castle (Hearst San Simeon State Historic Monument). A wooden pier is located at the wide leveled sandy beach. Restrooms are provided at the parking lot at the William R. Hearst Memorial Beach. No entrance fee and no parking fee is charged at this beach (as at: September 2009).

Morro Strand State Beach:
A lot of washed up parts of plants are lying in the sand of the leveled beach at the Morro Strand State Beach. The Morro Strand State Beach is located north of the city of Morro Bay. The waves are rather small at this beach. No entrance fee and no parking fee is charged at the Morro Strand State Beach (as at: September 2009).

Morro Rock:
The Morro Rock is situated at the southern part of the city of Morro Bay. A small sandy beach is located next to the Morro Rock. This beach can’t be used for swimming.
The beach of the Morro Strand State Beach adjoins the Morro Rock. This beach is located at the northern end of the parking lot. Restrooms are provided at the Morro Rock. No entrance fee and no parking fee is charged at the Morro Rock (as at: September 2009).

Pismo Beach:
The beach in the city of Pismo Beach is located near the California State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway / Highway 1) und dem Highway 101. Next to the beach, there are a pier, shops, restaurants, showers und restrooms. The beach at the Pismo Beach consists of a very fine sand. There are lots of washed up parts of plants at this beach. A parking fee is charged at the parking lot next to the beach. Metered parking is available along the roadside near the California State Route 1. Metered parking is limited to a maximum of three hours (as at: September 2011).

Refugio State Beach:
The beach at the Refugio State Beach is a long leveled sandy beach. A lot of washed up parts of plants are lying in the sand. The waves of the Pacific Ocean are rather small at this beach. Restrooms and a campground are provided at the Refugio State Park. The parking fee is $10.- at this beach (as at: September 2009).

El Capitan State Beach:
The narrow sandy beach at the El Capitan State Beach isn’t very pretty. The beach is situated next to the parking lot and is located at a lower level than the parking lot. Therefore, the beach is restricted by a wall that is build between the narrow beach and the parking lot. A lot of washed up plants are lying in the sand of this beach. Restrooms and a campground are provided at the El Capitan State Beach. The parking fee at the El Capitan State Beach is $10.- (as at: September 2009).

Informations at USAXL.com: Pinnacles NM - San Francisco