Here in California, we have the best of everything: weather, weed strains, and beaches. Orange County is particularly blessed in this regard, which is why we’re the home of the U.S. Open of Surfing. Every year, the event is hosted of the southside of the Huntington Beach Pier. Along with movie events and live music, attendees get to watch famous California surfers like Brett Simpson and Courtney Conlogue compete to win titles. It’s a great time all around, and promises a fun experience while highlighting our SoCal surf culture.
That being said, there are many ways to experience the beauty of the sport. Whether you surf, swim, or just like to get high and people-watch, Orange County beaches are the best place to be.
How to Find the Best Beaches in Orange County
From Seal Beach to San Clemente, our coastline measures around 42 miles, so there are plenty of places to go. Pack your beach towel, grab some sunscreen, and pick a spot (any spot—you can’t go wrong). Be sure to check the Surfline report if you plan on getting into the water to make sure it’s safe! Here are some of Orange County’s best beaches to visit:
- T-Street Beach in San Clemente. This spot has great waves, and can be accessed by car or Amtrak train. If you’re into spearfishing, make sure to visit Seal Rock, which is just south of T-Street.
- 1000 Steps in Laguna Beach. While there aren’t literally a thousand steps to this one, it definitely feels like it. Because of that, it’s rarely crowded. If you don’t mind putting in the work, you’ll get access to one of the most beautiful beaches on the coast.
- Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach. One of the rare few beaches with fire rings, this is a great place to enjoy the outdoors with your quaran-team. If you want to stay and enjoy the surf or go fishing, they have 50 campsites with electric and water hookups for self-contained RVs.
- Blackies in Newport Beach. This is a place for salty dogs, so make sure you know what you’re doing if you plan to surf. This spot’s often crowded, so go early or be willing to wait for your turn at a good wave.
- Victoria Beach in Laguna Beach, also known as “Pirate Beach”. This one’s hard to find, but worth it. The real draw is the “Pirate Tower”, which was built in 1926 by the late senator William E. Brown. He sold his property to Harold Kendrick, a retired naval captain who enjoyed dressing up like a pirate and telling stories to the neighborhood children. Rumor has it that some of the valuable coins he hid in the tower’s cracks may still be found today.
- Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. The former host site of the Doheny Blues Festival, Doheny Days, and other live music events and festivals, Doheny enjoys its status as one of California’s most popular state beaches. The campsites are temporarily closed for a water project, but trust us—it’s worth the wait. Book a spot as soon as you can!
- Crystal Cove Beach is famous for the antique beach cottages in its historic district, which are definitely worth seeing. When you’re done, take your SUP to Moro Beach, go bodyboarding at Reef Point, or take a hike at Pelican Point. This area also has some of the best tide pools in Orange County, so bring your local wildlife handbook and visit at low tide if that’s your thing.
- Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. A well-known and popular surf spot, this is another place to head out to early. While the tide pools aren’t as large or varied as the ones in Crystal Cove, they’re still worth checking out. While we can’t verify this, one of the urban legends here in Southern California is that you can hear the sound of drumming here on nights when there’s a full moon. It could be ghosts, it could be a drum circle, or it could be totally made up… it’s up to you to find out.
At the time of publication, all of these Orange County beaches were still open, although many of the campsites are closed. Before you head out, it’s worth checking on relevant websites like Surfline to see if the beach you’d like to visit is open to the public.
Can You Smoke Weed on the Beach?
Unfortunately, no. Smoking marijuana is not allowed in public places, including beaches. However, you’re welcome to load up on as much bud as you want at home, pop a weed gummy, or dose up with some cannabis tinctures. You can take the train directly to some of these spots or ask your roommate for a ride.
Packing for Your Trip to the Beach
Now that recreational cannabis is legal in California, it’s perfectly okay to carry it around with you. However, you technically, you can’t consume edibles or other marijuana products in public—so make sure to leave it in your bag.
Your beach tote should have at least one large towel, though I personally prefer to bring two (one to lie on, and one to dry off with). Pack sunscreen, water, sunglasses, and spare clothes if you’re planning on going somewhere afterwards. You can up your game by adding beach snacks or your favorite packaged drinks, a big hat, or a book.
Don’t worry if you consumed a bit too much cannabis and forgot to being anything to eat or drink. Most of Orange County’s best beaches are surrounded by great places to eat, drink, or just walk around and hang out. Salt Creek Beach has a few coffee shops nearby if you’re craving a chai latte or a cappuccino, and Huntington State Beach is practically in the middle of downtown HB.
When you get back home, make sure to place a delivery weed order with People’s before you hop into the shower. By the time you come out, your order should be packed and on its way—just in time for you to wind down and enjoy the soothing effects of cannabis. It’s a great way to cap off a full day at the beach.
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