Must-Visit Places for Water Recreation in Southern California

In Southern California, summer months are synonymous with spending every second you can at the beach. Locals and visitors flock to their favorite coastal destinations to recreate on the water. Considering the region’s dense local populations and thriving tourism scene, you might assume these beaches take a beating from human activity. But thanks to the work of dedicated local conservation efforts, these SoCal spots have retained their natural beauty and support thriving marine ecosystems. Here’s how you can enjoy these wild spaces and learn more about the efforts to preserve them.

Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes Peninsula

Best explored by scuba diving

Kelp forests are at the top of many divers’ bucket lists. But experiencing the underwater magic of a thriving kelp forest is becoming more of a challenge. Climate change, pollution, and commercial shipping and fishing operations pose a threat to these ethereal groves—notably in ecological marvels like the rugged Palos Verdes Peninsula, which rises to separate the Los Angeles beach cities from the busy Port of Long Beach. Fortunately, the Santa Monica–based Bay Foundation’s Kelp Forest Restoration Project has reintroduced more than 60 acres of forest in the area, restoring balance to the biodiversity in these habitats.

Newport Harbor, Orange County

Best explored by sailing, SUP, or kayaking

In the heart of coastal Orange County, Newport Harbor is the largest recreational harbor on the West Coast, with plentiful opportunities for sailing around the islands of the complex as well as paddling in the quieter estuaries of Back Bay. Though it’s easy to launch an on-water adventure, the harbor’s proximity to high-density urban areas and major highways means these ecosystems are threatened by human activity. Thankfully, the SoCal Wetland Recovery Project has helped to restore these wetlands and secure habitats for more than 200 species of endangered birds and 35,000 individual migratory birds.

San Clemente, Orange County

Best explored by surfing

This storied surf community has long been home to numerous brands, manufacturers, championship events, and athletes who have built and shaped the sport. Credit the varied topography that provides year-round options for surfers of all types and skill levels. At San Onofre State Beach alone, you can test your shortboard skills alongside experienced local surfers at Trestles or head south to Old Man’s to longboard in a friendly lineup. It’s also the birthplace of the Surfrider Foundation, which has steadily extended its influence globally by engaging with conservation partners on a grassroots level. Local efforts include the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) project to relocate nuclear waste and keep these legendary breaks safe for generations to come.

Encinitas, San Diego County

Best explored by surfing

Known for laid-back vibes and high-quality waves, Encinitas is a must-visit SoCal surf spot. Between renowned breaks and a string of state parks with playful, spread-out peaks, this beachside city matches diverse surf options with a downtown corridor of unique restaurants, cafés, and breweries along Historic Highway 101, just blocks from the sand. To help feed this surf community’s culture of connection with the ocean, Un Mar de Colores bridges the socioeconomic barriers to surfing, giving local underprivileged youths the opportunity to surf—and to protect the breaks they love.

Interested in coordinated local action to drive meaningful global change? Southern California is also home to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the world’s largest recreational scuba diving organization and certification agency. Its nonprofit PADI AWARE Foundation has created the planet’s largest underwater citizen science database and volunteer movement to tackle the removal of marine debris. Explore the interactive Dive Against Debris Map, which shows 90,000 Torchbearers around the world who have removed various types of debris from underwater environments, and learn how you can get involved.

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