01
Best close-to-home shoreline
Albany Beach at Albany Bulb
Albany Waterfront • Casual Bayside Beach With City Views • Easygoing Spot For Quick Escapes
A compact, low-key stretch of sand with a relaxed vibe, dog-friendly energy, and wide views across the Bay to San Francisco.
From Contra Costa Centre, Albany Beach is one of the quickest true shorelines to reach, yet it still feels pleasantly removed from the freeway grind. The sand is narrow but inviting, with room for tossing a ball, strolling with the dog, or just watching changing light on the Bay and the city skyline. Pair it with a walk around the artsy Albany Bulb trails when you want a short beach outing that doesn’t eat the whole day.
02
Best family-friendly bay beach
Crown Memorial State Beach
Alameda Shoreline • Wide, Gently Sloping Family Beach • Best For Kids And Casual Swimming
A long, sandy, shallow beach that feels classic and kid-friendly, with mellow water and plenty of room to spread out.
Down in Alameda, Crown Memorial offers the kind of broad, sandy shoreline many East Bay locals don’t expect to find close to home. The water is typically calm and shallow near shore, which makes it less intimidating for younger swimmers and more about wading and playing than braving waves. Add in picnic areas, bike paths, and big-sky Bay views and you have an easy all-day destination for families coming from Contra Costa Centre.
03
Best tucked-away cove
Keller Beach
Richmond Shoreline • Small Sheltered Cove Beach • Quiet Spot For Low-Key Afternoons
A petite, sheltered beach tucked below the road in Point Richmond, with pretty bridge views and a more intimate feel.
Keller Beach sits in a small cove just west of the Richmond bridge approaches, feeling hidden despite being easy to reach. The sand drops to a narrow strip at high tide, but at lower tide there’s enough room for sunning, sand play, and a relaxed picnic. It’s a strong pick when you want something calmer and more intimate than the big expanses in Alameda, but still want that salty air and Bay backdrop.
04
Best freshwater swimming option
Lake Anza
Berkeley Hills • Tree-Lined Lake Beach • Best For Classic Summer Swim Days
A sandy swimming beach on a small forested lake, offering a different feel from the Bay with warmer water and hillside trails nearby.
Tucked into Tilden Regional Park above Berkeley, Lake Anza trades coastal wind for a more sheltered, woodsy setting that’s especially appealing on hot inland days. The roped-off swimming area and sandy shoreline give it a classic summer-lake vibe, with kids building sandcastles while others cool off in the water. It’s an easy add-on to a day of hiking or picnicking in Tilden for Contra Costa Centre residents who want a swim without dealing with tides or surf.
05
Best dramatic coastal escape
Rodeo Beach
Marin Headlands • Rugged Oceanfront Beach • Great For Scenery And Wild Surf
A striking pebbly beach backed by cliffs and hills, where ocean waves and headlands views feel a world away from inland Contra Costa.
Rodeo Beach requires a longer drive, but many East Bay locals consider it their go-to when they’re in the mood for true Pacific drama. The sand here is darker and more pebbly, the waves stronger, and the scenery—sea stacks, cliffs, and sweeping headlands trails—feels instantly transportive. It’s better suited to walking, photography, and picnics than casual swimming, making it ideal for full-day coastal rambles when you really want to reset by the ocean.