Pismo Beach, California, has been named the #1 Best Beach in California in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The announcement, made today at 10best.usatoday.com, marks the third national title for the destination, following back-to-back wins for Best Small Coastal Town in 2025 and 2026.
Nominees for Best Beach in California were curated by a panel of USA TODAY 10Best editors and travel experts before being opened to a national public vote. With its wide beaches, class, and walkable downtown, and iconic pier, Pismo Beach edged out nineteen other California beaches to claim the top spot.
The 2026 Top 10 Best Beaches in California:
- Pismo Beach
- ‘Olol‘koy Beach Park (Oxnard Beach Park)
- Huntington State Beach
- Carlsbad State Beach
- Capitola Beach
- Ventura Beach
- Butterfly Beach
- Santa Cruz Main Beach
- La Jolla Cove
- Malibu Lagoon State Beach
The Best Beach in California title follows another major win for Pismo Beach. In April 2026, the city repeated as USA TODAY 10Best’s Best Small Coastal Town, becoming the first community to win the category in consecutive years.
“To be named the best beach in a state with more than 800 miles of coastline is incredible,” said Gordon Jackson, Executive Director of the Pismo Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau. “Between this and our back-to-back Best Small Coastal Town wins, it’s clear that people come to Pismo Beach not just for the day, but to slow down and stay awhile. From sunsets on the pier to mornings by the waves, we’re proud of the businesses and community members who help create those experiences every day.”
What Makes Pismo Beach #1
In Pismo Beach, the coast demands a slower rhythm. The historic pier stretches far out from the ocean, the sand runs for miles in every direction, and the downtown is small enough to cross on foot. Early risers enjoy the quiet ocean with the surfers. Evenings end with bonfires on the sand and clam chowder bowls warming cold hands. Whales pass within sight of the pier on their winter migration, and monarchs return each year to roost in the eucalyptus groves at Pismo State Beach, one of the largest overwintering sites on the California coast. Family-run restaurants, surf shops, and tasting rooms sit a block from the water. It’s a California beach town that is both nostalgic and evolved.
