10 Best Beach Towns in California to Buy a House (2023)

Homebuyers venturing out into the post-pandemic sun face an overwhelming housing market. The search for a primary residence has home buying newcomers facing ruthless bidding wars and steep prices. It is common to expect to pay thousands of dollars over the asking price.

But while the primary home market remains unforgiving lately, the vacation home market is experiencing a renaissance as the work-from-home era cements itself in the professional landscape. Now aspiring homebuyers working from home are asking themselves what kind of homes they want to work from.

This interest has begun driving a record search for beach homes and vacation homes throughout California’s coastal towns. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best beach towns in California to buy a house and work from home.

Santa Monica

The postcard beauty of Santa Monica has long since become the go-to image of the picturesque Los Angeles lifestyle. The upscale beach homes available here would be a dream come true for anyone who can stomach the equally exclusive price points.

Santa Monica is the perfect blend of vacation and work since major city amenities are within a short distance of each other. Downtown Santa Monica is the base for all major movement and entertainment within the city. At the same time, Ocean Park is the slice of paradise where homebuyers seek solace and relaxation by the beach.

Big tech names such as ZipRecruiter and Hulu have offices in Santa Monica, making it an ideal destination for tech professionals, many of whom have transitioned to working exclusively from a home office.

Malibu

A 30-minute drive up the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica will bring homebuyers to Malibu.

A favorite amongst celebrities, Malibu’s beachfront homes are some of the most coveted in the state. The backdrop of rolling hills and the sandy coast that exposes signature California sunsets make Malibu a top choice amongst home buyers looking to live in California near the beach.

Many of Malibu’s beach houses feature direct access to the beach, significantly driving up their price. But even though the city is a haven for the high-profile elite, it still maintains a low profile, even as it offers some of the best restaurants and bars on the Pacific Coast.

Encinitas

The most popular suburbs of San Diego are anything but quiet cul-de-sacs. Home to the famous Moonlight State Beach, Encinitas rests to the north of Downtown San Diego and is a coveted city for aspiring beach homeowners.

The bonfires at Moonlight Beach draw crowds from all over San Diego, but the beach also offers a wide range of beach sports and recreation. Beach homebuyers can choose which part of Encinitas coastline they want to scout out, with the northern and southernmost parts offering more secluded beaches.

Encinitas is the top choice for buyers looking for tranquility when they come back to their beach home for the holidays or want as little distraction as possible when working from home.

La Jolla

The epicenter of beachfront luxury, La Jolla is arguably the most prized city in San Diego. As a result, homeowners searching for beach homes in La Jolla will find some of the loftiest price tags in California. But the high cost of living is balanced out by breathtaking views and a picturesque city filled with top-notch amenities.

Although it is famous for its extravagance and luxury car dealerships, La Jolla is also sought out for its beauty and mesmerizing beaches. There are stringent laws in place to maintain the nature of the city, which helps keep the beaches in ideal conditions.

Aside from the natural beauty, La Jolla also features a well known biotech industry, with Pfizer maintaining a 25-acre campus here.

Carlsbad

One of San Diego’s largest suburbs, Carlsbad, is also one of the most popular. Carlsbad defies the conventional image of a suburb, with a vast portion of its economy generated through tourism.

LEGOLAND California is located in Carlsbad, and many top tech companies maintain offices here. It is an ideal location for homebuyers who want the suburbian beach town that also transforms into a bustling city within minutes of travel. Carlsbad beaches are known for their amenities and easy access, with various parks and playgrounds nearby and many beach sports and water activities.

Homeowners who want their beach home to be close to a wide range of entertainment will want to prioritize Carlsbad in their search.

Solana Beach

Another member of San Diego’s elite suburb club, Solana Beach is regularly ranked as one of the city’s best suburbs.

The city is divided by the I-5, splitting Solana Beach into eastern and western sections. The western part is where you’ll find the multitude of beachfront estates and a variety of local bars and restaurants. The east side of town is more residential and features two prominent golf courses.

Fletcher Cove Park is one of Solana Beach’s biggest draws, giving residents a chance to capture some of the most breathtaking views in Southern California.

Del Mar

Del Mar’s beachfront properties enjoy some of the best sunset views in California. More down to earth in its offerings than its busier neighbors, Del Mar brings homebuyers to scout out prized real estate on majestic bluffs that overlook some of the best beaches in the area.

The Torrey Pines State Beach is Del Mar’s most prominent sandy getaway, but there is an entire coastline of parks and hidden bluffs that are open to exploring. In addition, Del Mar has a lively community scene and a lot of local shops and restaurants.

Del Mar’s biggest attraction is the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which hosts high-profile horse racing events throughout the year. Though the event can draw crowds from all over the state, Del Mar is still the classic example of a laid-back beach town where you can get away from it all.

Newport Beach

The beach towns of Orange County all have a unique lifestyle to offer. Some offer unbeatable surfing spots, others a plethora of outdoor activities and waterfront recreation. Newport Beach stands out with the latter and is considered one of the wealthiest beach towns in Orange County.

Some of the most luxurious beachfront estates are found in Newport Beach. Day-to-day life in one of Orange County’s wealthiest cities revolves around waterfronts and beaches, thanks to its many islands and idyllic boardwalk and pier.

But Newport Beach also stands out as an ideal place for a beach house because of its proximity to San Diego and Los Angeles, which are both around an hour and a half away by car.

Huntington Beach

Even beginner surfers wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to secure a beach house in Huntington Beach. Commonly called Surf City USA, Huntington Beach delivers a traditional surf town lifestyle.

Surfing is the essence of Huntington Beach, and residents can catch swaths of surfers in the early hours of the day, searching for big waves. Huntington Beach Pier provides a stunning vantage point to glimpse the waters, while the Huntington Beach Bike Trail stretches along the city’s coast and opens up to picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean.

There is no shortage of retail and entertainment options here, and the proximity to the Pacific Coast Highway allows homeowners to drive to cities like Santa Monica and La Jolla.

Laguna Beach

Aside from pristine beaches and dreamy coves, Laguna Beach made a name for itself with its art scene.

The contemporary Laguna Art Museum features over 3,500 works of art and sits on the waterfront. In addition, the Sawdust Art Festival and Pageant of the Masters are huge draws for the art-minded community and tourists alike.

There are many local dining options and upscale eateries in Laguna Beach, but its biggest draw remains its almost untouched beauty. The Crystal Cove State Park alone features over 2,400 acres with hiking and biking trails throughout.

And with Huntington Beach and Newport Beach drawing most of the peak-season tourist crowds, homebuyers here can enjoy a little more tranquility than in their neighboring cities.

Interested in buying a beach house? Browse listings in your favorite SoCal town and see how you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.