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Top 19 Beachfront Vacation Rentals in California

It doesn’t matter if you’re a California native or a first-time visitor exploring the state, nothing beats a beautiful beachfront view. The Golden State is known for its natural beauty and coastal charms, where you’ll find stunning vistas around every corner. While you’re driving along its legendary coastline, stop and stay at one of these top-rated beachfront vacation rentals for a front-row seat to the sparkling shores. From budget-friendly to luxurious beachfront villas, these popular California rentals all offer incredible oceanfront views.

Idyllic, Romantic Beachfront Apartment - Malibu Idyllic, Romantic Beachfront Apartment
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Idyllic, Romantic Beachfront Apartment - Malibu

A top-rated Airbnb near Los Angeles, this Malibu beachfront apartment is the epitome of California dreamin’. Enjoy the open-plan living and wall of windows that allow you to take in panoramic views of the ocean. Sit on the deck and enjoy a drink as you watch the sunset over the water or take a romantic stroll on the beach before setting into the cozy one-bedroom abode. It’s located away from the tourist areas along the Malibu coast, just 30 minutes drive from Los Angeles International Airport.

Studio Penthouse with Private Jacuzzi - San Diego Studio Penthouse with Private Jacuzzi
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Studio Penthouse with Private Jacuzzi - San Diego

This beachfront San Diego Airbnb has got it all, including a rooftop deck, Jacuzzi, and dining area above the beautiful Mission Bay. Feel the stress melt away as you enjoy its tranquil setting, or get out and explore the nearby shops, markets, cafes, and restaurants. The host even supplies boogie boards and kayaks for active travelers. After your adventure, enjoy a soak in the hot tub that offers sweeping views overlooking Mission Bay and the ocean to the west.

Amazing Oceanfront Home with Deck & Outdoor Living - Capistrano Beach, Dana Point Amazing Oceanfront Home with Deck & Outdoor Living
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Amazing Oceanfront Home with Deck & Outdoor Living - Capistrano Beach, Dana Point

You can relax on the beautifully furnished deck of this three-bedroom beachfront rental, or lounge in a comfy chair in the sand and watch dolphins play in the water as you sunbathe. Swim, surf, or paddle board, then bike on the ocean path to Dana Point Pier. After your outdoor adventures, you can retreat to the spacious vacation rental that has an incredible ocean-view great room with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping ocean vistas.

4-Bedroom Home with Great Ocean Views - Pajaro Dunes 4-Bedroom Home with Great Ocean Views
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4-Bedroom Home with Great Ocean Views - Pajaro Dunes

rental in California will love this four-bedroom space, which can sleep up to 10 guests comfortably. Offering full ocean views, its located on the pristine beachfront on Monterey Bay, just five minutes from the famous Hwy 1. Watch the sun come up over the Pajaro Valley from the dining room, then end the day with a spectacular sunset from the outdoor deck.

Ocean Road - Manchester Ocean Road
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Ocean Road - Manchester

Simply picture-perfect, this private two-bedroom ocean-front home sits on a bluff with unobstructed ocean views above Irish Beach. With space for up to six guests, it is a spectacular vacation rental in California with a hot tub on the deck where you can watch whales, sunsets, and admire the Mendocino County coastline. The view can be captured from the deck, main living/dining area, and kitchen, with its interior featuring large skylights, high ceilings, and hardwood floors.

Salt House’s Relaxed Cali Vibe, 20 Steps to Beach - Oxnard Salt House’s Relaxed Cali Vibe, 20 Steps to Beach
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Salt House’s Relaxed Cali Vibe, 20 Steps to Beach - Oxnard

It’s easy to see why this four-bedroom vacation rental in Oxnard is so highly rated. In addition to a stylish interior, it features a rooftop deck where you can enjoy afternoon cocktails or morning coffee. Hollywood Beach and the harbor are just steps away, where you can enjoy surfing, SUPing, or kayaking, while the small beach town has plenty to explore nearby. You can spend your time cozying up on the sofas, playing ping pong, or cruising on one of the complimentary bikes, while the rooftop deck has a peekaboo view of the ocean.

Spectacular Beachfront Views from Pacific Villas - Oceanside Spectacular Beachfront Views from Pacific Villas
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Spectacular Beachfront Views from Pacific Villas - Oceanside

Experience a piece of history at this charming remodeled property. Built in the 1940s, you’ll find original detailing such as a gorgeous stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings, while its bright and airy open layout includes an array of modern furnishings. After a day of sightseeing, you can sit on the balcony and enjoy the cool ocean breeze.

Amazing Welcoming Unique Ocean Home - Muir Beach Amazing Welcoming Unique Ocean Home
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Amazing Welcoming Unique Ocean Home - Muir Beach

A perfect spot for those that truly want to get away from it all, this two-bedroom Airbnb in Muir Beach is simply luxurious. In addition to close-up ocean views, it features a tranquil garden and hot tub where you can take in the scenery. You’ll have a hard time peeling yourself away from the swoon-worthy NorCal views, while it’s just an easy hike that leads you to the beautiful beach area. At night, you can fall asleep to the lull of the crashing waves.

Modern Beach Front Bungalow - Oxnard Modern Beach Front Bungalow
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Modern Beach Front Bungalow - Oxnard

Bright and cheery, this upscale beach cottage in Oxnard is a slice of paradise. Offering four bedrooms, it boasts a gourmet kitchen and spacious outdoor deck with a BBQ grill, seating area, and dining table. There’s also a small balcony with sun loungers overlooking the pristine beach. Take a stroll along the uncrowded beach and look for unique treasures such as sea glass and shells. The host has everything covered for your beach excursions, with two-car garage housing beach toys, boogie boards, bikes, beach chairs, and a canopy tent.

Bungalow Over the Water - Malibu Bungalow Over the Water
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Bungalow Over the Water - Malibu

Escape to this luxurious beachfront bungalow in Malibu for a memorable getaway. Set on a secluded beach along the coast, the stylish bungalow is a perfect retreat for a romantic retreat. Built on a giant wood deck above the sand, the oceanfront property features a large furnished deck with unobstructed ocean views, as well as a fully stocked kitchen and king-size bed.

Tiny House, Steps from the Ocean - Stinson Beach Tiny House, Steps from the Ocean
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Tiny House, Steps from the Ocean - Stinson Beach

Located in Stinson Beach, this tiny studio is the perfect spot for budget-savvy couples or solo travelers. The cozy space has all the essentials for a memorable beach vacation, including light cooking amenities, a dining table, and a small outdoor terrace. In addition to its prime beachfront location, you can enjoy other conveniences such as private parking and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Surfscape Beach House, Private Beach & Ocean Views - Bodega Bay Surfscape Beach House, Private Beach & Ocean Views
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Surfscape Beach House, Private Beach & Ocean Views - Bodega Bay

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the spectacular coastal views at this Airbnb, which is perched atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It boasts a large furnished terrace with a gas grill, hot tub, and floor-to-ceiling windows, while the indoors is adorned with beautiful coastal-inspired decor. Read a book on the chaise lounge and hammock, enjoy panoramic ocean views in the hot tub or enjoy the sunset around the fire pit. When you’re ready to dig your toes in the sand, a secluded beach is accessed via a set of private stairs. Fishing gear is complimentary.

One-of-a-Kind Upper Unit with Rooftop Deck & Hot Tub - Newport Beach One-of-a-Kind Upper Unit with Rooftop Deck & Hot Tub
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One-of-a-Kind Upper Unit with Rooftop Deck & Hot Tub - Newport Beach

Located in Newport Beach, this gorgeous upper unit has beautiful oceanfront views. Located right on the sand, the three-bedroom condo is bright and spacious and features a beautiful interior with an open plan living and dining room and Jacuzzi tub in the master bathroom. Step outside on the upper balcony and take in the view, or hang out on the large rooftop deck to discover a relaxing hot tub and cozy seating and entertainment areas for taking in the incredible views.

Beachfront Condo, Perfect For Families - Central Mission Beach, San Diego Beachfront Condo, Perfect For Families
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Beachfront Condo, Perfect For Families - Central Mission Beach, San Diego

An ideal spot for a family beach vacation, this two-bedroom Vrbo features panoramic views of Mission Bay. In addition to a furnished outdoor area with a dining table and BBQ grill, you can even enjoy the spectacular SeaWorld fireworks right from your patio (available seasonally). Just steps from the spacious patio you’ll be directly on the fine stretch of sand of Mission Bay, with the Bayside Walk right at your doorstep. Mission Beach is only a five-minute walk away.

Watch the Sunset from Beachfront Pacific Villa - Oceanside Watch the Sunset from Beachfront Pacific Villa
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Watch the Sunset from Beachfront Pacific Villa - Oceanside

Adorned with serene white and blue tones, this cozy one-bedroom apartment was built in the 1940s. Now remodeled with modern furnishings and an open layout, the luxe space still retains its original stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. Sit out on the private balcony and enjoy the beautiful ocean breeze or get out and explore Downtown Ocean, which is conveniently located between the OC and San Diego.

Magical & Romantic Beachfront Home at Pajaro Dunes - Watsonville Magical & Romantic Beachfront Home at Pajaro Dunes
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Magical & Romantic Beachfront Home at Pajaro Dunes - Watsonville

This beautiful beachfront condo offers unobstructed views of Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Located 20 minutes south of Santa Cruz, the two-bedroom space is newly remodeled and features modern kitchen appliances, high ceilings, and an electric fireplace. A small terrace features comfy seating and a BBQ grill, while the second bedroom has two double-size beds. Just steps to the beach, the 1,200 square foot property offers the perfect beach location in California to get away from it all.

Private Stairs to Beach, on Pacific Ave - Cayucos Private Stairs to Beach, on Pacific Ave
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Private Stairs to Beach, on Pacific Ave - Cayucos

You can bring the whole gang to this beach retreat in Cayucos, as it can accommodate up to 10 guests in its spacious living areas. The beach house offers a premier oceanfront location in the quaint town on California’s central coast, featuring a front deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Take advantage of the many amenities here, including the fully equipped kitchen, cozy living room with fireplace, patio, and BBQ. The house is also fully stocked with beach towels, games, books, and sand toys.

Condo, Carbon Beach - Malibu Condo, Carbon Beach
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Condo, Carbon Beach - Malibu

Book a stay at this luxury beachfront condo, which is directly on Carbon Beach. The one-bedroom stay features a king-size bed and a pull-out queen-size sleeper sofa in the living room, as well as a queen-size day bed on the enclosed porch that overlooks the crashing waves. Other perks include a fully equipped kitchen and one assigned parking space, as well as an HD flat-screen Smart TV and Apple TV. The biggest highlight is the stunning panoramic views from the Malibu Pier to Santa Monica and beyond.

Bungalow, Carbon Beach - Malibu Bungalow, Carbon Beach
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Bungalow, Carbon Beach - Malibu

Escape to the coast at this one-bedroom bungalow, which sits on the sands of Carbon Beach. It boasts quintessential California character with original architectural details, an all-white interior, and a private deck where you can enjoy stunning views from Santa Monica to the Malibu Pier. Its living area and private deck offer you a front-row seat to some of California’s most picturesque landscapes, where you can spend your sunny afternoon watching the waves, surfers, and sailboats.

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