Photo tour: The best beaches in California

USA TODAY

With 500 beaches on more than 1,000 miles of coastline, the Golden State isn't lacking in space or variety. Explore your artistic side in one of the 70 galleries that line Laguna Beach, play the boardwalk games in Mission Beach, gawk at the weightlifters on "Muscle Beach" or catch a wave off of Santa Monica's shores. Whether you want to see and be seen while catching rays on Hollywood-perfect stretches of smooth white sand, or you prefer hiking among tide pools and windswept cliffs, California has got you covered.

See more of the USA's best beaches:

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