Northern California is nestled on the Pacific coast between San Francisco Bay and the Oregon border. Informally known as NorCal, the region has 48 counties with expansive shorelines that attract visitors. Pebble Beach in Monterey, Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, and Trinidad State Beach in Trinidad are some of the most popular beaches here. It also boasts epic mountains ranges like the Diablo Range in Santa Clara County and the Klamath Mountains that straddle Norcal and southwestern Oregon. NorCal is also renowned for its Redwood forests. You can get glimpses of them in Redwood National and State Parks and Muir Woods. Take advantage of NorCal’s beautiful beaches and stunning coastlines and find the ideal accommodation to serve as your base camp while exploring the region’s remarkable attractions. Check out our list of the top beachfront hotels in Northern California.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and location with easy access to beach. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on March 22, 2024.
1. The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay (from USD 650)
Experience luxury living at Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. Set on top of a cliff, the hotel overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Guests will find an on-site spa, plus two golf courses surrounding the hotel. Find delight in your coastal walk from the property. A bagpiper’s performance caps off the day as you watch the sun go down. The firepits cast a warm glow until late in the evening.
The rooms feature a modern coastal style with soothing colors of the beach. The guestrooms provide uninterrupted ocean and golf course views, too. Your dining options include Navio Restaurant, which features fresh seafood, and The Conservatory, where you will enjoy ocean views through its floor-to-ceiling-height windows.
For a nightcap, Cork Wine Bar has a wine bar fit for a connoisseur. There is free WiFi throughout the property, so you can share your experiences on social media.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Address: 1 Miramontes Point Rd
15.95 km (10.0 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
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2. Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa (from USD 314)
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa offers stunning views of Monterey Bay. The rooms are bright and spacious, with amenities such as a seating area, a cable TV, and a coffee maker. The private bathroom comes complete with toiletries, a hairdryer, and ironing facilities. WiFi is available in all areas and is free.
On-site dining venues include Tidal Café and Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar, where guests can have their fill of fresh and sumptuous meals. There is also a fitness center and a full-service spa on the rooftop. Nearby attractions include Monterey Bay Aquarium and Monterey Museum of Art.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Address: 400 Cannery Row
119.11 km (74.1 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
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3. The Oceanfront Hotel on MiramarBeach HMB in Half Moon Bay (from USD 389)
Reasonable pricing for oceanfront rooms with balcony.
Spacious rooms with gas fireplaces, heated floor tiles, and complimentary breakfast.
Perfect oceanfront location with easy access to the beach, restaurants, and activities like paddleboarding and kayaking.
Breakfast included with a variety of options, and a great restaurant next door.
Breathtaking ocean views abound at The Oceanfront Hotel on MiramarBeach HMB. It also has a coastal trail that you can walk for miles. Conveniently located near Half Moon Bay village, you will find shops and restaurants in the area. Stanford University, Apple, and Google headquarters are a 35-minute drive. San Francisco International Airport is 30 minutes away. The famous Sam’s Chowder House, founded in 2006, is a 5-minute drive. Each room features a fireplace, a flat-screen TV with a DVD player, a massive comfortable bed, free WiFi, and binoculars for surf watching. The bathroom offers a hairdryer, towels, and toiletries. The hotel serves a European breakfast buffet daily.
The Oceanfront Hotel on MiramarBeach HMB
Address: 211 Mirada Road
8.98 km (5.6 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
4. Beach House Half Moon Bay (from USD 265)
Beach House Half Moon Bay is an all-suite hotel with an outdoor pool and a fitness center. The bedroom and living area are separate to afford more space and privacy. The room also includes a toaster, a microwave, and a refrigerator to prepare simple snacks. The hotel offers free WiFi, parking, and continental breakfast. In addition, guests will enjoy complimentary wine reception on Friday and Saturday evenings.
You will get wonderful views of Pillar Point Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. Some of the closest beaches are El Granada Beach, Miramar Beach, and Naples Beach. San Francisco is 40.2 km (25 mi) away.
Beach House Half Moon Bay
Address: 4100 North Cabrillo Way
7.79 km (4.9 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
California Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of the US: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona! Let's GO!! stepheley@gmail.com
Tours by Stephanie
5. Sunnyside Resort and Lodge inTahoe City (from USD 217)
Reasonable pricing for lakeside location and amenities.
Comfortable rooms, lake views, on-site restaurant and bar, complimentary breakfast.
Charming lodge on Lake Tahoe's west shore, close to activities and scenic trails.
Delicious dining options including croissants, cinnamon rolls, fresh baked goods, and good coffee.
Sunnyside Resort and Lodge has been an iconic landmark for over 60 years. Located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, the property offers panoramic views of the lake and mountains and access to the lake. Guests can choose from 23-mountain inspired lodge rooms featuring a private bathroom and either a patio or a deck. Free Wi-Fi is included, as well.
The resort serves daily continental breakfast and afternoon tea. For on-site dining, Lakeside Dining Room and Mountain Grill will take care of your cravings. Enjoy your meals al fresco on the outdoor deck during summer.
Some of the top attractions within 10 mi (13 km) of the lodge are Summit Six Express, Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, and South Lake Tahoe Massage.
Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge
Address: 1850 West Lake Blvd
270.18 km (167.9 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
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6. Surf and Sand Lodge in Fort Bragg (from USD 149)
Great value for oceanfront location. Comfortable rooms with private balconies.
Easy beach access, walking trails, and spacious, quiet rooms. Some rooms feature ocean views and private decks.
Convenient location with easy access to the beach, town, and scenic coastal biking trails.
No on-site dining, but close to a variety of restaurants in the area. Coffee available in the office.
The best thing about Surf and Sand Lodge is that it’s steps from the shoreline, offering guests direct beach access. The rooms have free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, and a two-person spa tub. Select units have balconies and patios that give spectacular ocean views. In addition, the lodge offers a complimentary continental breakfast.
From the property, it is an easy walk to Downtown Fort Bragg. Guests keen on exploring the area can go to Glass Beach, which is 10 minutes away. MacKerricher State Park is a three-minute drive.
Surf and Sand Lodge
Address: 1131 North Main Street
239.07 km (148.6 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
7. North Cliff Hotel in Fort Bragg (from USD 229)
Situated on Mendocino Coast, North Cliff Hotel offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Noyo Bay. The rooms here offer a flat-screen TV, a gas fireplace, a microwave, and a seating area. Select suites have a two-person spa bathtub and a private ocean-view balcony.
You can also easily walk to Noyo Harbor, Noyo Beach, and Pomo Bluffs Park in less than 10 minutes. Glass Beach is 1.5 mi ( 2.41 km) away. Mendocino Headlands State Park is about a 15-minute drive, while the Coastal Trail is 20 minutes away.
North Cliff Hotel
Address: 1005 South Main Street
235.89 km (146.6 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
8. Monterey Tides (from USD 188)
Monterey Tides overlooks Monterey Bay. You will have direct access to the beach and can go for long walks and engage in beach games. Each unit features free WiFi, a flat-screen cable TV, and a refrigerator. The hotel also has a year-round outdoor heated pool. The on-site restaurants, Tides Waterfront Kitchen and Bayside Bar and Lounge, offer ocean views like no other.
Monterey Tides is 2.42 mi (3.9 km) from Monterey Bay Aquarium. Fisherman’s Wharf is 1.9 mi (3.1 km) from the property, while Pebble Beach is 5.65 mi (9.1 km) away.
Monterey Tides
Address: 2600 Sand Dunes Dr
120.92 km (75.2 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
9. West Shore Café and Inn in Homewood (from USD 334)
Relish lakefront living experience at Lake Tahoe’s West Shore Café and Inn. The rooms are mountain cabin-inspired with a flat-screen TV, gas fireplace, and mini-refrigerator. Guests will also enjoy free WiFi, continental breakfast, and parking. Located in the main building below the guest rooms, the restaurant offers sumptuous cuisine. Room service is available while the restaurant is open. The views of the lake and the mountains are major selling points, as well.
The hotel boasts a ski school. When not skiing or hiking, there is the beach to enjoy. Some of the top attractions near the hotel are Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, Olympic Lady, and Squaw Creek. The nearest airport is Reno – Tahoe International Airport which is 35 mi (56) km away.
West Shore Cafe and Inn
Address: 5160 West Lake Blvd
266.05 km (165.4 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
10. Trinidad Bay Bed and Breakfast Hotel (from USD 425)
Trinidad Bay and Breakfast Hotel feature four plush rooms with scenic views of Trinidad Bay and Trinidad Head. The rooms have a private bath, a king-size bed, and luxurious linens. Select units have a seating area. The rooms were named after North Coast’s local attractions, namely Tide Pool, Redwoods, Trinity Alps, and Crab Pot. Two units, Tide Pool and Trinity Alps, have separate entrances for extra privacy.
The hotel serves a three-course breakfast and offers free WiFi, free parking, and free airport pick-ups. Some of the closest beaches are Trinidad State Beach, College Cove Beach, and Luffenholtz Beach. The closest airport is Arcata-Eureka Airport, which is 6.34 mi (10.2 km) away.
Trinidad Bay Bed and Breakfast Hotel
Address: 560 Edwards Street
412.99 km (256.7 mi) from Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Enjoy a restful vacation in Northern California
NorCal’s stunning shorelines draw travelers who look forward to a restful vacation while exploring the region. There is something about ocean views that calms the soul. Watch and hear the waves hit the shore or take a stroll on the beach. This list of beachfront hotels in Northern California may give you what you need for a relaxing holiday.
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