8 Mind-Blowing Beaches and Lakes in Northern California
California has 840 miles of ocean coastline, much of it almost deserted. Here are a few lesser-known Northern California gems to set you off in the right direction.
Editor’s note: These spots are all taken directly from travelstoke®, a new app from Matador that connects you with fellow travelers and locals, and helps you build trip itineraries with spots that integrate seamlessly into Google Maps and Uber. Download the app to add any of the spots below directly to your future trips. 
San Francisco Area
San Francisco doesn’t spring to mind as a beach town, but it is surrounded on three sides by water. While none of SF’s beaches are crowded, these small beaches offer unique vistas:
China Beach
Marshalls Beach
North of San Francisco
Tennessee Valley, just north of San Francisco, isn’t a secret — you’ll find others on the trail — but it still feels special to arrive at this perfect little beach after a 3 mile hike. Great views back to SF and south.
Tomales Bay has a few great beaches and the water is warmer and much safer than the ocean if you’re visiting with kids. Check out Millerton and Heart’s Desire.
Millerton PointMarshall, United StatesSmall beach on Tomales Bay great for kids and dogs.
Further north, the Sonoma Coast State Beaches are windswept and wild. Salmon Creek at the southern end is great for kids as they can swim in the much-warmer creek, while Goat Rock Beach at the northern end is especially dramatic with the Russian River pouring into the Pacific. Several great hikes lead to or from Shell Beach.
Salmon CreekBodega Bay, United StatesWild beach with miles of shoreline for undisturbed wandering.
Continuing north, the Lost Coast is a backpacking trip full of beaches in a location too rugged for roadbuilding.
South of San Francisco
Heading south from San Francisco, Bean Hollow is a tiny beach on the San Mateo Coast with white sand and plenty of sea life.
Bean Hollow State BeachPescadero, United StatesA small, very peaceful beach.
Limekiln State Beach, south of Big Sur, is less crowded than other beaches in that area and offers a great waterfall hike, and clean campground, in addition to a black sand beach.
Sierra Beaches
California’s beaches are not limited to the Ocean – head up to the Sierras for many lakes, many of which are very lightly visited. While the water is often cold, few things compare with the feeling of drying off in the summer sun after a swim in a high-altitude lake. Here are a few to get you planning for next summer.
Lakes Lodge
Grant Lake Marina
Upper Blue Lake Campground
Upper Blue Lake CampgroundMarkleeville, United StatesAmazing star gazing!
