Northern California is blessed with some of the most beautiful places to sunbathe that are the inspiration for many poets, songwriters, and artists from all over the globe.  The magnificent black sand beach in a small hamlet called Shelter Cove in Humboldt County is a beautiful day beach and a great place to do so whale spotting. The Mendocino Coast is also home to some of the best beaches to sunbathe. Many of these are the most pristine and less crowded beaches in California. Elk Cove Beach, also known as Greenwood Beach which is a part of Greenwood Beach State Park is an excellent place for fishing and kayaking as well.

Marin County home to Muir Beach, a beautiful sandy beach where you can even surf, hold campfires, and do a bit of fishing, when you aren’t sunbathing. A mere 20 miles from San Francisco is Bolinas Beach, in the tiny hamlet of Bolinas. While you sunbathe you can also get a chance to watch seals swim about in this tranquil rural setting. Stinson Beach is another beach that is ideal for swimmers and surfers. For some safe surfing and the opportunity to watch some splendid tide pools and sand dunes, head over to Dillon Beach which is an hour’s drive north of San Francisco.