With spring break just around the corner, Californians are looking for the best spots to soak up the sun.

San Luis Obispo County has three of the top 100 beaches in the nation, according to HomeToGo.

The vacation rental marketplace recently released its list of the best beach destinations in the United States, based on accommodation prices, warm weather, local charm and other factors.

“From wallet-friendly paradises to under-the-radar coves, this ranking serves up insights as to the best spots for every kind of traveler — whether they’re looking to make waves with plenty of action or drift away to a peaceful retreat,” HomeToGo said.

Here’s where local beaches ranked, and why:

Waves roll in along the bluffs in Shell Beach. Waves roll in along the bluffs in Shell Beach. Mark Nakamura nakamuraphoto.com What’s the best beach in SLO County?

Shell Beach was the highest ranking SLO County beach on HomeToGo’s list of the top spots for a “perfect beach vacation,” landing at No. 8.

Shell Beach was the second best in the nation in terms of affordability, the HomeToGo study found, with a median nightly price for a vacation stay in the area of approximately $73 per person.

The seaside town also scored high as a “hidden gem,” according to HomeToGo.

“Known as a perfect spot for kayaking and surfing, Shell Beach is a family-friendly area along the north bluffs of Pismo Beach,” the Visit San Luis Obispo website said, offering clifftop views, access to tide pools and parks including Dinosaur Cave, Margo Dodd Park and Spyglass Park.

A boat sits in Pirate’s Cove in Avila Beach on July 16, 2025. A boat sits in Pirate’s Cove in Avila Beach on July 16, 2025. Hannah Poukish hpoukish@thetribunenews.com Where did Pismo Beach and Avila Beach rank?

Avila Beach and Pismo Beach landed lower on HomeToGo’s list.

Both Five Cities communities scored the highest in the same category: visitor satisfaction.

Avila Beach, which was No. 56, is home to San Luis Obispo County’s only nude beach — Pirates Cove — as well as the Avila Beach Pier, Bob Jones City-to-the-Sea Bike Trail and Central Coast Aquarium.

Nearby attractions include the Avila Valley Barn and the Point San Luis Lighthouse.

It costs about $175 a person to spend the night at vacation accommodations in Avila Beach, according to HomeToGo.

Sunset watchers, fishermen and surfers all found time to hang out at the Pismo Pier in this file photo. Sunset watchers, fishermen and surfers all found time to hang out at the Pismo Pier in this file photo. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com

Pismo Beach, which ranked at No. 86, offers a classic California beach town experience with wide, sandy shores and popular tourist attractions including the Pismo Beach Pier, the Pismo Preserve and the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove.

Off-roaders can explore the nearby Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

The median nightly price of a vacation stay in Pismo Beach is about $183 per person, HomeToGo said.

In 2025, HomeToGo highlighted the top 35 beaches in the United States — with Avila Beach coming in first place. It was the only SLO County beach on the list.

Fog lingers over Pismo Beach. Fog lingers over Pismo Beach. Mark Nakamura nakamuraphoto.com What other California beaches made the list?

Beaches across California earned recognition from HomeToGo for their scenery, attractions and more.

San Diego County’s Imperial Beach was No. 59, Dillon Beach in Marin County ranked No. 76 and Hermosa Beach in Los Angeles County was No. 87, according to HomeToGo.

Six more California beach towns were listed in the top 100.

Huntington BeachMission BeachManhattan BeachNewport BeachLaguna BeachVenice Beach Blue skies came out during a break in the rain on Sunday in Pismo Beach, where Shaun Perisho and dog Bodie strolled along the shore at low tide. Blue skies came out during a break in the rain on Sunday in Pismo Beach, where Shaun Perisho and dog Bodie strolled along the shore at low tide. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com Where are the top 10 beach getaways in the US?

According to HomeToGo, these were the top 10 beaches in the nation in 2026:

Saint Joe Beach, FloridaBethune Beach, FloridaJamaica Beach, TexasButler Beach, FloridaSouth Bethany Beach, DelawareTerramar Beach, TexasSatellite Beach, FloridaShell BeachLitchfield Beach, South CarolinaIndian Beach, North Carolina Hikers walk in the hills above Pismo Beach. Hikers walk in the hills above Pismo Beach. Mark Nakamura nakamuraphoto.com How did HomeToGo come up with its rankings?

HomeToGo said it used internal search data to create a list of U.S. beach destinations with “notable recorded traveler demand for 2026,” focusing on spots where visitors can stay for less than $200 a night.

A total of five data points were used to rank the beach destinations:

Search volume for vacations in the areaMedian nightly price for accommodationsAverage high temperaturesAverage visitor satisfactionAverage distance traveled vacationers to reach destination

Data for the affordability, hidden gem, local secret, temperature and visitor satisfaction categories came from sources including Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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