01
Best overall pick
William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach
San Simeon Cove By The Pier • Classic Pier-Front State Beach • Best Overall Day-At-The-Beach Spot
A sheltered cove with a historic pier, calm water, and plenty of room to spread out on the sand.
If you only have time for one beach near San Simeon, make it this one. The long pier, gentle waves, and picnic tables tucked under cypress trees make it easy to linger for hours. It’s a versatile spot where families can paddle in the shallows, photographers catch moody light on the bluffs, and road-trippers stretch their legs before or after a Hearst Castle tour.
02
Best for sunsets
Moonstone Beach
Cambria – Moonstone Beach Drive • Scenic Boardwalk And Tide-Pool Beach • Top Pick For Strolls And Sunsets
A wave-washed shoreline backed by a wooden boardwalk, known for polished stones, tide pools, and glowing evening light.
Just south of San Simeon, Moonstone Beach feels tailor-made for an unhurried walk. The bluff-top boardwalk offers easy access to overlooks and stairways down to the sand, where you can hunt for polished stones and watch surfers in the break. Time your visit for late afternoon and you’re rewarded with some of the most reliable sunset color on this part of the coast.
03
Best wildlife encounter
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery Beach
Elephant Seal Vista Point Area • Windy Wildlife-Viewing Shoreline • Unbeatable For Elephant Seal Watching
A rugged strip of sand where thousands of elephant seals haul out just below the viewing platforms along Highway 1.
This isn’t a lay-out-your-towel beach, but it’s an essential stop near San Simeon. From the accessible viewing paths, you look directly down on elephant seals sparring, napping, and bellowing on the sand. Different seasons bring pups, molting adults, and massive bulls, so it’s worth a repeat visit if you’re often on this stretch of Highway 1.
04
Best for windy adventure
Arroyo Laguna Beach
North Of San Simeon Along Highway 1 • Blustery, Wide-Open Shoreline • Go-To Beach For Kiteboarders And Wind Lovers
A broad, often windy beach where strong afternoon breezes draw kiteboarders and hardy walkers more than sunbathers.
Arroyo Laguna has a wild, exposed feel, with a river mouth cutting across the sand and steady winds stacking up waves offshore. It’s a favorite launch point for experienced kiteboarders, so it doubles as a great spectator beach if you like watching big, arcing rides. Visit earlier in the day for quieter conditions and long, solitary walks along the waterline.
05
Best quick surf stop
Pico Creek Beach
Just South Of San Simeon Along Highway 1 • Local Surf Break At A Creek Mouth • Best Quick Stop On A Highway 1 Drive
A small pull-off-accessed beach with a creek, shifting sandbars, and a mellow, low-key local atmosphere.
Tucked just off Highway 1, Pico Creek is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. The beach itself is fairly compact, but the mix of creek and sandbars can set up fun waves when conditions line up, drawing a handful of local surfers. Even if you’re not paddling out, it’s a convenient place to hop out of the car, breathe in the salt air, and grab a few photos of the coastline.