California ‘Hidden Gem’ Is No. 1 Beach in the US, New Report Says. Here’s Where to Find It

Situated in a sheltered cove on California’s Central Coast, Avila Beach is a gem of a destination.

Avila Beach, on California's Central Coast. Nick Peters/Dreamstime/TNS

By Hannah Poukish From The Sacramento Bee

California is home to five of the best beaches in the United States—including the No. 1 beach in the nation, according to HomeToGo.

The vacation rental website recently released its 2025 Beach Index, a report ranking the 35 best beaches in the nation.

“Spring break is on the horizon, and there’s no better time to dive into the best beach destinations in America,” the site said in a Monday news release. “Whether you’re surfing for savings, sailing toward sunshine, or searching for a secret shoreline, HomeToGo has combed through the data to bring you a tide-turning guide to coastal escapes.”

The report ranked destinations on a variety of factors, including weather, affordability, dining, visitor satisfaction, local charm, and “hidden gem status.”

Here’s why several Golden State destinations landed on the list.

Why is Avila Beach the Top Spot for a Beach Vacation?

Avila Beach, in San Luis Obispo County, took first place on HomeToGo’s list of the top 10 beach destinations.

“Situated in a sheltered cove on California’s Central Coast, Avila Beach is a gem of a destination with golden sand and warmer waters than many nearby beaches,” HomeToGo said.

Avila Beach nabbed top marks as a destination with clear skies, ample activities, and a dazzling food and drink scene, according to HomeToGo.

Visitors can “kayak and paddleboard, or stroll along sections of the pier extending into the Pacific, offering ocean views and fishing spots,” HomeToGo said.

Avila Beach earned a hidden gem score of 9.29 and a 9.35 score for sunny skies. It also scored 9.67 for dining experiences. All scores were based on a scale of 1 to 10.

Avila Beach also scored well as an affordable vacation spot with high visitor satisfaction.

The median nightly price per person for a vacation rental in Avila Beach is $124, according to HomeToGo.

What Other California Beaches Made the List?

Four other Golden State destinations landed on HomeToGo’s best beaches list.

The Pacific Beach neighborhood in San Diego came in at No. 18, scoring a perfect 10 for its clear skies.

No. 24 on the list was Orange County’s Huntington Beach—a popular surfer haunt featuring good weather and affordable vacation rentals, HomeToGo said.

Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles County was ranked No. 27 for its sunny skies and high visitor satisfaction ratings.

The final California beach on the list was Stinson Beach in Marin County.

At No. 34, the Bay Area beach earned high markings as a hidden gem destination that leaves visitors feeling happy, HomeToGo said.

How Did HomeToGo Come Up With its Rankings?

HomeToGo compiled internal search data to make its list of U.S. beach destinations.

The 35 travel destinations were chosen based on traveler demand, as well as whether beachside accommodations were available and affordable this spring, the vacation rental website said on its website.

The site looked at seven data points to rank the best beaches in the nation:

• Search volume for vacations in the area
• Median nightly price for accommodation
• Average temperature
• Average days of rain
• Average visitor satisfaction
• Number of nearby places to eat and drink
• Average distance traveled by vacationers to reach each destination.

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