Beaches near Palm Springs California may not be oceanfront, but don’t be mistaken—Palm Springs, while known as a sun-filled desert getaway, still offers relaxing beach-like escapes you can enjoy during your visit.
This paradise setting in the middle of California has no real beaches, but the scenic drive to the beautiful Southern California coast is just a short visit.
This is something you can imagine, thinking of calm ocean breezes, gold sands, and cool waves, and yet it is all only a couple of hours away in the car.
Palm Springs provides an ideal base camp location for those travelers who want to strike a balance between peaceful desert holidays combined with a rich coastal experience.
A day at the ocean is not that far away, whether you are destined to surf-friendly Huntington Beach or the beautiful Laguna Beach, a day at the ocean is only a stone’s throw away.
Best of all, if you happen to be staying at Spirit of Sofia, a luxurious eco-stay built into Palm Springs, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Here we go – the finest beach escapes within the vicinity of Palm Springs, and what you can do to maximize your beach and desert California trip.
1. Top Beaches Near Palm Springs for a Day Trip
The beach may not touch your doorstep when you are in Palm Springs, but some of the most spectacular seaside beauties of California are within a pretty drive.
Whether it is from tidepool-railed coves, bustling boardwalks, or kid-pleasing piers, there is a beach spot to suit any mood.
Let us examine a little more in detail the 7 best beaches near Palm Springs that are worth taking a day trip to.
- Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, with its jagged coast, its hidden coves, and strong art culture, is a must-visit destination when you want a beautiful soul.
- Stroll along the stunningly landscaped cliff overlooking the ocean, Heisler Park, which has picnic areas and stair access down to beaches.
- To enjoy people-watching or playing pickup volleyball, go to the Main Beach.
- Look at low-tide tidepools at Shaw’s Cove and Treasure Island.
- Visit the Laguna Art Museum and browse through local artwork or shop in the village, which is filled with boutiques.
Distance from Palm Springs to Laguna Beach: 106 miles (2 hours)
Things to do: Heisler Park, Main Beach, Gelato Paradiso
- Huntington Beach
This iconic beach in California has something on offer, right up to world-class surf and sand that gives way to beach games to perfection.
- Go fishing or walk the Huntington Beach Pier, the West Coast’s longest pier.
- Rent a surfboard and enjoy your time to the fullest. Play with paws at the off-leash Dog Beach.
- Walk down Main Street where there are surf shops and restaurants, pubs, and Brewpubs.
Distance from Palm Springs to Huntington Beach: 110 miles (2 hours)
Things to do: Surfing, beach volleyball, dog beach, HB Pier
- Newport Beach
Newport Beach offers a relaxed atmosphere of the beach with a luxurious experience. It offers oceanfront restaurants, kayaking, and everything in between in terms of adventurous travel and decadent debauchery.
- Take the Balboa Island Ferry and enjoy shopping around in the cute village.
- Visit the Crystal Cove State Park with scenic roads with hiking opportunities, and beach picnics.
- Go on a whale-watching trip or harbor ride.
Distance from Palm Springs to Newport Beach: 105 miles (2 hours)
Things to do: Crystal Cove State Park, whale watching tours
- Santa Monica Beach
It is one of the most popular beaches in California, and it is not in vain. Santa Monica is a combination of a broad beach and urban flair, amusement rides, and delicious food.
- Take a Ferris wheel at Pacific Park on the pier. Get a cruiser bike on rental and head down the coast on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail.
- Visit local institutions such as The Albright, or have street food on the pier.
- Go shopping or to the movies on the Third Street Promenade.
Distance from Palm Springs to Santa Monica Beach: 125 miles (2 hours and 20 minutes)
Things to do: Iconic beach + pier, carnival rides, sunset views
- Venice Beach
Venice is daring, eccentric, and dynamic. It has a legendary boardwalk, a colorful artistic community, and a goldmine people-watching location, which is a must-visit destination for people with any creative soul.
- Stroll the Venice Boardwalk, where there are street performers, stores, and odd shops.
- Observe skating at Venice Skatepark. Venture into the Venice Canals, which is lost in old-world charm.
- Enjoy food trucks and local cafes offering vegan tacos, poke bowls, or the popular iced coffee.
Distance from Palm Springs to Venice Beach: 125 miles (2 hours and 22 minutes)
Things to do: Edgy boardwalk, street performers, sunset views
- Oceanside Beach
Ocean Side is a less touristy substitute for nearby beaches, with clean sands, a beautiful pier, and hiking trails along the coast.
- Take a walk along Oceanside Pier during sunset to get spectacular scenery and fresh ocean air.
- Bike or rent a paddleboard on the pretty Strand. Visit the California Surf Museum.
- Catch fish tacos at Harney Sushi or Hello Betty Fish House.
Tip: It is one of the greatest beaches to take kids along due to easy surf and space.
Distance from Palm Springs to Oceanside Beach: 105 miles (2 hours and 7 minutes)
Things to do: Family-friendly vibe, great pier, beach rentals
- La Jolla Cove (San Diego)
La Jolla Cove is a sea sanctuary hidden in an area of the coast of San Diego and characterized by sea caves, cliffs, and an aqua-blue ocean with marine life.
- Take a guided tour snorkeling in and around sea caves or snorkel with leopard sharks (they are harmless!).
- Observe watching of seals and sea lions on the children’s pool beach at the rocks.
Distance from Palm Springs to La Jolla Cove: 130 miles (2 hours and 19 minutes)
Things to do: Snorkeling, kayaking, seals & sea lions
2. Palm Springs to La Quinta: A Local Getaway
In case you are not in the mood for a long drive along the coast, you can take La Quinta, which is very tranquil.
- Wander around the lake or take part in luxurious pampering sessions in a spa resort, as well as watch the sunset over the Santa Rosa Mountains.
- Although not a beach in a literal sense, palm-decorated resorts and water attractions in La Quinta will create a resort-coastal atmosphere closer to home.
Distance from Palm Springs to La Quinta, CA: 25 miles (36 minutes)
Things to do: Lakes lined with palm trees, resort swimming pools, golf courses, and desert luxuries
3. Stay at Spirit of Sofia: Your Desert Oasis Before or After the Beach
There is nothing better to escape than a day at the coast when your skin is salty and your hair sun-kissed than Spirit of Sofia, a boutique eco-luxury resort in Palm Springs, a place combining soulful design and desert peace.
What’s to like about Spirit of Sofia?
- Treehouse suites, high-in-the-sky cabins of glass, and panoramic mountains as far as the eye can see.
- Minimalist, yet organic interiors, art that is locally curated, and desert-themed architecture.
- Soaking tubs, personal decks, yoga corners, and quiet hammocks
Stay at Spirit of Sofia and enjoy the palm of Palm Springs as your launching pad for the best of California, beach, and beyond.
4. Travel Tips for Visiting Beaches Near Palm Springs
This is a checklist of the best travel suggestions that should make your coastal odyssey a nice, carefree, and sun-proof one:
Start Early
Highways in Southern California, I-10, I-15, and I-405, tend to be exceptionally crowded, particularly during the weekend or holiday seasons.
- Depart between 6 am to 7 am in order to avoid traffic and have a relaxing journey.
- You can also reach the beach before others arrive there, and this means you can manage to get a parking space or a good place on the sand.
- When heading back, you can either plan to leave at/before sunset, or after 6:00 PM, so as to prevent the bottlenecks that might occur in the afternoon.
Pack a Smart Beach bag
Being a desert staple might not suffice at the beach. This is what you need to carry on a whole day of seashore relaxation:
- Sun protection: Your skin should be SPF 30+, and don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours.
- Towels: Try to bring one fast-drying towel per individual.
- Flip-flops or water shoes: Hot sand and rockpools in tide pools need the proper footwear.
- Picnic cooler: Stock coolers and snacks all day.
- Reusable water bottles: Water bottles are also as important at the beach as it is in the desert.
- Swimsuit + extra clothes: Take extra clothes when you ride back.
- Carry a beach chair, beach umbrellas, and sand mats. You will need some shade at the beach, particularly when you are with kids.
Make your gadgets beach-friendly
In other beach areas or on seaside highways, signal and navigational lights may be weak.
- Charge your phone as much as you can before you depart, and carry a car charger or power bank.
- Google Maps also gives the chance to download offline maps in case of failure in signal failure.
- Save the schedule of tides at beaches (Laguna Beach, La Jolla) with tidepools on your phone so you know when you should be going there.
Parking Plan
The most popular beaches close to Palm Springs, such as Laguna, Newport, and Santa Monica, provide limited or paid parking mostly in peak season (May-September).
- Not all meters use credit cards, so you will need coins, particularly in older lots.
- Please arrive early or seek overflow or residential street parking (restrictions apply), but drive carefully and follow area signage and permit areas.
Be familiar with the conditions of the beach
There are rules and conditions at each beach. Keep safe and have fun by conducting some research.
- Before going swimming or surfing, get the checks on the wave report and flag warnings.
- Up-to-date safety information is available at surfline.com or beachhazards.com.
- There are areas of protection around the seals and all other sea creatures, such as the sea lions and the animals in the tidepools, owing to their protected status on many beaches (trust me not to touch or feed them).
- Whenever at a beach, consider swimming where there are lifeguard towers, particularly when swimming with young people or inexperienced swimmers.
Final Thoughts | Beaches Near Palm Springs California
A Southern California retreat does not need to be limited to either the ocean or the desert, but you can enjoy both.
The combination of the tranquility of the deserts of Palm Springs with the surcharged vitality of the beach will allow you to have the best of California.
Begin your morning by inhaling sea air and looking at surfer riders taking on daylight waves. In the evening, come back to the peaceful setting of desert mountains, star-gaze in your suite in Spirit of Sofia, and reminisce about your ideal coastal dune experience.
On your own, on a date, or with your family: Palm Springs and the neighboring beaches have infinite beauty, contrast, and connection to offer.
One thing may vary, it may be that sand, be it wind-blown, be it sun-baked, but the magic never ceases.
FAQs | Beaches Near Palm Springs California
1. How far is the beach from Palm Springs, California?
Most of the top Southern California beaches, like Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach, are approximately 2 to 2.5 hours (105–130 miles) from Palm Springs, making them great for a day trip.
2. Are there any beaches in Palm Springs itself?
Palm Springs is located in the desert and doesn’t have natural beaches. However, many resorts—like Spirit of Sofia—offer beach-style pools and desert-luxury vibes that give you the best of both worlds.
3. Which is the closest beach to Palm Springs?
Newport Beach and Oceanside Beach are among the closest, both about 105 miles away. These offer great amenities and are perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers.
4. What’s the best beach for families near Palm Springs?
Oceanside Beach is one of the top family-friendly options. It has a wide sandy shore, a long pier, calm surf, and lots of kid-friendly restaurants and attractions nearby.
5. Can I do a beach day trip from Palm Springs?
Absolutely! With early planning and a morning start, you can enjoy a full day at beaches like Santa Monica, Laguna Beach, or La Jolla Cove, and still make it back to your Palm Springs hotel by evening.
6. What’s the best time to leave Palm Springs for a beach day?
The best time to leave is between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM to avoid Southern California traffic. This helps you get a good parking spot and enjoy more time at the beach.
7. Do I need to pay for beach parking?
Many popular beaches have metered or lot parking, often paid. Bring coins and a credit card just in case, and consider using beach parking apps where available.
8. What should I pack for a beach day in Palm Springs?
Pack sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, towels, water shoes, swimsuits, a cooler with snacks and drinks, beach chairs, and a power bank. Download offline maps too, in case of a poor signal.
9. Is Spirit of Sofia a good place to stay for beach trips?
Yes, Spirit of Sofia is a stylish, boutique eco-luxury resort in Palm Springs that offers easy access to both desert serenity and coastal adventures—perfect for dual-nature vacations.
