A surfer enters the water at Montara State Beach in San Mateo County, where a shark encounter Saturday became the second recorded this year in California.

When people think of California beach towns, they picture Malibu mansions and million-dollar bungalows. But not every ocean-view address is that expensive.

USAToday's 10Best reader's choice list ranked two California beach bars as the best in the United States.

Looking for a top-tier beach to visit this summer? You won't need to travel far. San Luis Obispo County is home to the No. 2 beach in the state, according to USA Today's list of the best coastal ...

The Beach Boys learned that songs about California culture clicked with listeners. Four of their early singles and every one of their first three albums had the word “surf” in their titles ...

In Pendleton shirts and khakis, Mr. Wilson and the Beach Boys showed the world what easy Southern California living looked like.

USA Today readers named Pismo Beach in San Luis Obispo County, California, of the best beaches in the state for ocean views and activities. See the full list.

Activists in Santa Cruz, California called for “kindness" in a Saturday beach protest against President Trump, then wrote “86 47" in the sand.

The City of Monterey in California announced it will temporarily close one of its beaches due to an invasion of sea lions. "San Carlos Beach, located at Cannery Row and Reeside Avenue, is ...

A “tired” California dad out on a routine walk with his newborn baby had the police called on him by a concerned neighbor, who feared he had kidnapped the child. Chapman Hamborg, 33, was ...

A surfer was not injured after a shark bit into his surfboard during an attack off a beach in San Mateo County over the weekend.

Dangerous ocean conditions could prove fatal at some California beaches, sparking warnings to stay out of the water.