🌊 California’s Top 3 Beaches: Ultimate Showdown ❗️ Play & Photo Guide

Girls! If you come to California and skip these three beaches, it’s like you never came at all! I (your self-proclaimed “sea lover” – okay, not really 😜) tested Santa Monica, Laguna Beach, and Newport Pier myself, and put together this foolproof guide. Read it and go straight to your pick! 1️⃣ Santa Monica Beach This beach is made for photos! I recommend going after 4 PM – you’ll avoid the crowds and catch the stunning sunset. When you ride the roller coaster, remember to use burst mode – those moments with your hair flying in the wind are so cinematic! 🎬 🎡 Must-Try Activities: Ferris wheel + sunset roller coaster at Pacific Park (the views at golden hour are unbeatable!). 66th Street End Sign (the least crowded at 8 AM – perfect for solo shots!). Street performances (busiest on weekends – great for candid photos of the vibe!). 🅿️ Parking: On-site: Starts at $7. Street parking: $2.55 per hour. Arrive early to snag a spot – it fills up fast! 📸 Photo Spots: Pier Entrance Sign (stand far back to capture the full view of the pier + sign). Lifeguard Tower Colorful Stairs (best light around 10 AM – the colors pop!). Beach Swings (shoot from a low angle looking up – makes you look like you’re floating above the sand!). 2️⃣ Laguna Beach Drive along Coast Highway, and you’ll see galleries and street art everywhere – every corner is an Instagram-worthy shot! 🎨 🅿️ Parking: Free at Lot 16 on weekends. Weekdays: $3 – $5.9 per hour. 📸 Photo Spots: Heisler Park Cliff Trail (shoot silhouettes in the morning with the sun at your back – the coastline looks (stunning)!). Downtown Colorful Mural Walls (wear bright clothes to contrast with the murals – you’ll stand out perfectly!). The Cliff Restaurant (sit on the terrace for brunch – your meal + ocean views make the ultimate photo combo!). 3️⃣ Newport Pier If you want to try surfing, sign up for a lesson – it’s so fun! And its sand is the softest among the three beaches 🏄♀️. 🌅 Must-Try Activities: Fisherman’s Pier Morning Market (Saturdays & Sundays – fresh seafood is cheap enough to make you gasp!). Crystal Cove Shopping Center (shop while enjoying ocean views – no boring mall vibes here!). Whale Watching Tour (Gray whales are spotted from December to April – bring a telephoto lens to capture them!). 🅿️ Parking: On-site: $4.1 per hour. 📸 Photo Spots: Lighthouse (shoot sunrise here in the early morning – the sky turns pink and orange, so dreamy!). Surfers’ Beach (use a telephoto lens for surfers’ silhouettes against the waves – super dynamic!). Open-Air Restaurant at the Ocean-View Mall (eat while you snap photos – it feels like you’re in Europe!). 💡 Final Verdict: For (art lovers): Choose Laguna Beach – art exhibitions + cliff sunsets + unique photo spots. For photo fanatics: Choose Santa Monica – Ferris wheel + sunset roller coaster + 66th Street + street art. For sports enthusiasts: Choose Newport – surfing + whale watching + seafood morning market. #RecorderOfRomanticLife #USATravel #California #Beaches #Irvine #BeachPhotography #LagunaBeach #SantaMonica #Newport #GraduationSeason