Of course, naming the best beaches in Southern California is a subjective thing, but when a group of journalists set out to take on this enormous task for The Times, they had some guiding principles.
We looked for beaches from San Diego to Santa Barbara that were easy to get to and offered something special, such as incredible views, great waves, tide pools, fire pits, volleyball courts, or bike and hiking trails. We made some exceptions for beaches that feel more remote. We also considered parking, restrooms, and handicap access, and the tricky issue of constantly changing water quality in limited areas at some otherwise excellent sites.
However, with our limit of 50 beaches, there are many that didn't make the list. That's where you come in. Tell us: What beach did we forget? We may include the answers in a future story.
