Beaches in the Bay Area
*A couple of beaches recommended on this page are not located in the Bay Area, but are near by (Traveling time is around 45 minutes to an hour).
Half Moon Bay
For those of you who enjoy surfing, Half Moon Bay is a popular site to visit. Though there are multiple surf warnings that occur throughout the year, on sunny days, the cold waters from the Pacific Ocean are perfect for cooling off. Along with surfing, Half Moon Bay is also known for dolphin and whale watching, so depending on the time of year, you can see the migrating marine life. Located on the outside of Silicon Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountain Range, the drive can be a little long (closer to an hour), but it is fully worth the time on a hot summer day.
Image is public domain
Monterey Bay
Monterey is an amazing city to spend the day with your family. There are so many great places to visit including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, cool stores and restuarants and the Monterey Bay beach. Due to all the marine life around Monterey, many animals can be spotted from the beaches and coastlines including otters and sea lions. If you visit in the sumer or fall, you can catch a glimpse of blue whales swimming migrating along tthe coast. Along with an incredible beach, Monterey has the added bonus of thriving marine life.
Photo from Pixabay
Carmel-by-the-Sea
If you want the perfect place to spend your day by the beach, Carmel is the perfect place for you. Along with an amazing view, Carmel has many things to offer. It is a small town located next to the beach, supplying visitors with numerous stores and great restuarants to spend their time. Since the beach waters are from the Pacific Ocean, the waters are a little chilly, but nothing too bad. The white sand lining the beach is soft, making the beach the perfect place for a picnic or a relaxing sun-tanning session.