Relaxing Beach Towns in California: 10 Spots to Find Peace & Quiet

Coastal views, happy people, and sunsets over the Pacific Ocean—it’s not hard to see why California’s beach towns are some of the best in the world.

That being said, the Golden State has close to 850 miles of coast that are home to around 550 distinct beaches and just over 2,000 towns.

The big question is… where should you go on your next sun-filled getaway?

If you’re looking for relaxing beach towns in California where you don’t need to seek out peace and quiet, start here. I’ve got some of the state’s top selections when it comes to romantic coastal getaways, perfect small towns, and never-before-heard-of outposts that are perfect for downtime.

No noisy crowds, no hours-long traffic jams, no bachelorette parties. Just the ocean breeze in a peaceful, sandy setting.

10 relaxing beach towns in California

Carlsbad
Ventura
Pismo Beach
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Davenport
Half Moon Bay
Gualala
Shelter Cove
Trinidad
Garberville
Crescent City

Relaxing beach towns in California from south to north

Carlsbad

Sea Lavender flowers bordering the beach along the Pacific Ocean (Getty)

Let’s kick this list off with what might not be considered a quiet beach town. Situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, it’s got a population just over 100,000—meaning it’s not necessarily quiet. That being said, Carlsbad is one of the most accessible and relaxing beach towns in California, thanks to its slightly larger size.

You can easily find an affordable place to stay while you enjoy the city’s popular beaches, family-friendly venues and restaurants, and explore its historic village center. It’s an ideal beach town for larger groups, as well, thanks to its list of unique activities, from go-karting to DIY strawberry picking to exploring its state parks.

Ventura

Like Carlsbad, Ventura has a slightly larger population—but it won’t get in the way of any downtime-focused vacations you’re planning. Its location in Southern California guarantees sunny beach days, and the city’s dedication to preserving wildlife and marine life can be felt.

But I think the real appeal of Ventura is giving you an LA-style or Santa Barbara-style adventure with a much more affordable price tag. If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly and relaxing beach town in California, Ventura should be top of mind.

Pismo Beach

Located near San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach has become one of the state’s most famous seaside towns. Visitors love its outdoor adventures, which are slightly more diverse than other small towns. You can off-road on sand dunes, go deep-sea fishing, and more. Plus, the town is known for its slightly eclectic and homegrown style, letting you kick back with classic Cali vibes.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Often billed as the most romantic town in the United States, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming small town with a gorgeous landscape that’s similar to Santa Barbara. Think: Mediterranean vibes packaged in an ultra-quaint and walkable town. Plus, much of the architecture is historic and well-kept, making the entire town feel like a Hollywood set. (In the good way, of course.)

Davenport

Pigeon Point Lighthouse on scenic coastal highway Route 1 at dusk (Getty)

When it comes to relaxing beach towns in California, you’re in for small-town vibes with grand scenic views. If you’re focused on getting out into nature, you can easily hike, camp, fish, and even bird watch around Davenport. Plus, you can explore the town’s unique historical sites, including a historic jail and a church that was a popular subject for photographer Ansel Adams.

Half Moon Bay

Close to San Francisco but away from the hustle, Half Moon Bay has remained a popular choice for coast-hunters in the city. It offers a small-town atmosphere that’s easily accessible from the Bay Area. Expect a rugged coastline that’s ready to explore, from hiking coastal hills to walking sandy beaches. Plus, you’ll be able to kayak, kite surf, hike, and more—if that’s your thing.

Gualala

Tiny, happy, and welcoming to visitors, Gualala is one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to relaxing beach towns in California. It’s got an adorable pygmy forest, coastal areas perfect for whale-watching, and even its own Redwoods park. As an added perk, it’s also not too far from Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley, in case you want to tack on a little winery day trip on your way back to SF.

Shelter Cove

If Gualala feels a little too metropolitan for you, don’t worry—Northern California has dozens of easy-to-miss coastal towns. Shelter Cove is a tiny outpost in Humboldt County, where you can find redwoods, rugged coastline, and black sand beaches. You might know the area for its Lost Coast Trail, which is a popular 25-mile trail that includes cliff views, moody drifts of fog, and potential wildlife sightings.

Trinidad

If beach time is your priority, Trinidad needs to be on your radar. This Yurok town has just over 300 residents and ten public beaches, meaning you can expect plenty of privacy. It’s a great pick for anyone who wants to camp, hike, or otherwise be out in some of California’s most untamed landscapes.

Garberville

Funky, small, and surrounded by stunning forested hills (home to redwoods), Garberville has a strong sense of community and history. If you like small towns with strong identities and artsy inclinations, this is a great pick. Not only are locals happy and laid-back, but they’re also willing to give visitors a few suggestions on where to go and what to do.

Crescent City

As one of the best jumping-off points to see the state’s most prolific redwood forests, Crescent City isn’t just one of the most relaxing beach towns in California. You can soak up those small-town vibes, disappear in an ancient and towering redwood forest, or head to the beach to watch the fog play across the waves. There’s even a cool interactive marine exhibit.

Amsterdam Drug Policy for Tourists: Your Guide to Cannabis & More

Amsterdam is one of the most open-minded places in the world when it comes to legal, semi-legal, and loophole drug use.

The city has a reputation that precedes itself, thanks to its coffee shops selling cannabis and its regulated red light district—but it’s well-known for other proclivities, too.

From psilocybin truffles to public drug-testing stations, it’s easy to see how Amsterdam looks like a free-for-all, especially for Americans who live in more conservative areas.

Ready to peel back the layers of Amsterdam’s drug policy for tourists?

It’s a deceptively complex topic—and one that tourists, especially those who like a little toke, should know about. Similar to Catalonia’s half-in stance on cannabis clubs, aka associations, it can be a bit of a mind-bender.

Let’s dig in.

Coffee shops & beyond: Amsterdam’s drug policy for tourists who smoke

The Netherlands has not legalized cannabis. Instead, the country’s approach works similarly to cannabis clubs in Barcelona, like I just mentioned.

Like in Catalonia, the Netherlands has decriminalized (or, according to the official website, there is a ‘tolerance policy’ for) small amounts of cannabis for personal use.

The goal is to allow upstanding citizens to enjoy a smoke now and again while discouraging people from growing, selling, and distributing cannabis on a large scale. You can’t have more than five grams in your possession, or it’s assumed you’ll be selling it. The idea is for you to actually pick up and smoke inside the coffee shop.

In addition to finding all types of cannabis at coffee shops, you can also legally purchase hash. (Plus a few more items, but I’ll dig into that below.)

As I mentioned at the top of the article, the Netherlands is very open-minded—and they don’t want to over-police locals or visitors. However, as Amsterdam gained a reputation as a cannabis haven, bad behavior and illegal practices created disruptive issues for residents.

As such, local authorities monitor cannabis coffee shops—and they recently made it legal for owners to deny entry to tourists. Between 1999 and 2024, authorities also cracked down on problematic coffee shops, thinning the herd from 350 coffee shops to 165.

In short, it’s good the police are involved because it ensures regulation and quality control.

The rules at Amsterdam coffee shops

Having up to five grams on your person is decriminalized throughout the city—though officials are hoping that you’ll smoke your share inside the coffee shop
The coffee shop can only sell you five grams maximum
Coffee shop owners must have valid permits to do business, and can only have 500 grams total on-site at any given time
Guests must be over the age of 18
Coffee shops cannot sell alcohol or hard drugs
You cannot smoke in the streets in many places—don’t worry, you’ll see plenty of signs reminding you where it’s not allowed
Coffee shop owners are allowed to deny entry to any tourists, though residents have the right to enter

What about non-cannabis products?

Here’s the thing—Amsterdam, and the surrounding areas, don’t want to be seen as a cannabis capital. But they really don’t want to be categorized as a hard drug haven.

In the early 2000s, many coffee shops began selling ‘magic’ psilocybin mushrooms, often raw or in a truffle form. This culminated in a tragic death in 2007, which kick-started discussions of the city’s liberal stance on drugs.

By 2008, the Netherlands had enacted a ban on magic mushrooms due to their hallucinogenic effect. That being said, you’ll still see ‘psilocybin truffles’ on sale at coffee shops. Like hash and cannabis, it’s legal to sell and use these truffles in the coffee shop.

The truffles are the hardened part of the mushroom that grows underground, while magic mushrooms are the part of the fungus that blooms above-ground. Both contain psilocybin, which has hallucinogenic effects.

These are the only three legal drugs that you will see in Amsterdam coffee shops: cannabis, hash, and psilocybin truffles.

If you haven’t tried psilocybin before, I don’t recommend enjoying your first ‘trip’ in the city, unless you feel very comfortable in Amsterdam. However, if you insist, I highly recommend assigning someone in your group the role of ‘babysitter’—even if you’re only going into a coffee shop for cannabis, that’s probably still a good rule.

YOTELAIR Launches New Layover Hotel Program in France, UK, & Netherlands

The travel world is filled with projects and ideas that fly under the radar.

YOTELAIR, though part of the well-known YOTEL brand, is one of those projects, in my opinion. You might recognize YOTEL as one of the most affordable, chic, and trendy hostel-style brands in the world. That’s their YOTEL brand.

But the company has two other projects. First, YOTELPAD, which specializes in long-term stays. The third is YOTELAIR, a highly unique chain of hotels that are situated in popular airports.

It launched in 2007 when it opened its first YOTELAIR ‘pad’ at London Gatwick International Airport.

That’s right—Gatwick has had a little-known but ultra-cool mini-hotel operating inside the South Terminal for 18 years.

Back in 2016, YOTELAIR opened up a second location at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. A year later, they went live at Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport.

YOTELAIR locations are designed to allow passengers with unruly layovers to experience serenity and downtime with a little privacy, great Wi-Fi, a warm shower, and a bed. You can rent a room by the hour, letting you catch shut-eye for as little or as long as needed.

Oh, and the whole arrangement just got cooler thanks to YOTELAIR’s brand-new ‘Slayover’ program.

Whether you’ve heard of YOTELAIR before, consider this your sign to start booking affordable flights with long layovers at London Gatwick International Airport or Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport. Not only can you find an affordable place to rest with YOTELAIR, but you also have access to their brand-new Slayover experiences.

Added perks from YOTELAIR at London, Paris, & Amsterdam airports

Let me reiterate one more time: if you have a long layover in London at Gatwick, in Paris at Charles de Gaulle, or in Amsterdam at Schiphol, look into booking a YOTELAIR room for an hour or ten.

And don’t miss out on the very cool Slayover experience.

The Slayover is a project from YOTELAIR and G Spot, a ‘functional’ drinks company. The word ‘functional’ just means that G Spot drinks are designed to be healthy and include adaptogens and nootropics that will help your brain and body stay healthy during travel.

G Spot might sound a little outlandish for a drinks company name, but you’ve probably seen them advertised by now. The catchy name is thanks to the company’s founder, Gillian Anderson—who you might know from shows like The X-Files or Sex Education.

The Slayover Experience comes with unique perks that you can find in your YOTELAIR smart room, including:

A dedicated Slayover concierge
One of three themed layover rescue kits
A G Spot drink
Other curated goodies

Themed layover rescue kits come in three styles: moment of pause (for unwinding), rest & reset (for immunity support during long-haul journeys), and power-up (for a pick-me-up).

The Best Desserts in Los Angeles—Get Ready to Fall in Love

Can a dessert make you fall in love?

I don’t have a clear answer, but if any US city specializes in cosmetically perfect eats, it’s Los Angeles.

While it might sound a little off for a city that’ obsessed with image and, often, fad diets that restrict sugar limits, you can find masterful pastries, tarts, cakes, and more. And you can find them in all types of establishments, from Michelin-approved cafes to back-street donut shops to Japanese bakeries.

Want to take a closer look at the best desserts in Los Angeles? These are the shops, bakeries, and restaurants with sweet treats that will take hold of your heart.

Where to find the best desserts in Los Angeles

Artelice Patisserie for artsy edibles
Friends & Family for traditional staples
Giovanni’s for a master class in tiramisu
Republique for Michelin-approved pastries
Salt & Straw for imaginative ice cream flavors
Pitchoun! for reliable pastries and desserts
Randy’s Donuts for naughty twists on beloved flavors
Bottega Louie for tasty, colorful eats
Yamazaki Bakery for Japanese-inspired classics
Diddy Ries cookies for a new take on the ice cream sandwich

Best desserts in Los Angeles

Artelice Patisserie

This classic French-style bakery has plenty to offer, especially if you love a little macaroon. But the sexiest pastries on the menu are the Valentino (dark chocolate mousse, raspberry, coconut sponge) and the Exotic (pistachio sponge, mango, banana, passion fruit, and mousse with cocktail pineapple, coconut, passion fruit, and lemon).

Friends & Family

Artisanal breads and pastries are Friends & Family’s specialty—and they’ve got plenty of interesting pastries to keep you intrigued, from the berry puff to the graham pig. But don’t miss out on the raspberry fairy, a Danish-like treat with a graceful design.

Giovanni’s Tiramisu

If you’re a fan of tiramisu, don’t miss Giovanni’s Tiramisu. This passion project comes from a father-daughter duo. The father, Giovanni Bolla, is a famous tiramisu master from Piedmont in Northern Italy. In his late 70s, Giovanni Bolla has turned his experience into a small shop that his daughter manages. Go for the tiramisu, stay for all the wild twists on the classic Italian dessert.

Republique

This Michelin-approved bakery offers a pretty austere menu, including dishes like braised wagyu and Dungeness crab risotto. But its dessert and pastry offers are also sexy as hell, from its lush chocolate cake to its ham-and-cheese rolls. I’d definitely schedule a visit if you’re into the latter; Republique is regarded as one of the most reliable pastry shops in the city.

Salt & Straw

Billed as ‘small-batch, chef-driven ice cream’, there’s not much to say here—except that if you like ice cream and are resistant to brain freezes, you’re going to love it. And if you’re in the city for longer than a week, you might actually get to sample a fresh new invention from the dessert freaks at Salt & Straw.

Pitchoun!

Looking for a smorgasbord of pastries, desserts, and sweet treats? Pitchoun makes its desserts fresh daily, ensuring you’ll have a quality, tasty experience with each visit. It’s a big like Friends & Family or Republique in that you’ll have a fresh range of bakery products and artisanal desserts to choose from every time.

Randy’s Donuts

Donuts are the working man of sexy desserts—and Randy is their king. At Randy’s Donuts, you can choose from classic donuts like Long Johns, glazed, blueberry, and more.

Or you can take a walk on the funky side with an orange iced cake donut or Fruit Loop-covered donut. Or go straight into dessert freak territory with the Red Velvet ganache donut, the roasted coconut with caramel and chocolate donut, or the Bacon Maple Long John.

Bottega Louie

If you’ve seen influencers sampling a range of bright, sexy desserts, a few probably came from Bottega Louie. This classy, upscale dessert shop has some of the most vibrant treats in town—similar to Artelice. Even its basic fruit tart and tiramisu desserts are like pieces of art.

Yamazaki Bakery

Looking for Japanese flavors? Head to Yamazaki Bakery. It offers a range of donuts, pastries, and treats that will suit any sweet tooth. Stick to classics like the Oreo donut or a sweet roll—or head into more exotic territory by sampling their green tea desserts, sugar toast, and Kashi pan.

Diddy Ries Cookies

Is it controversial to say that cookies are the least sexy dessert in the world? They’re too predictable—at least, that’s usually the case. Diddy Ries cookies have become a staple in Los Angeles thanks to their new takes. Notably, the DIY ice cream sandwich, which consists of two cookies and a scoop of ice cream.

Tips for Traveling to the Dominican Republic: Punta Cana & Beyond

Dreaming of an all-inclusive resort stay in the Dominican Republic, but don’t know much (or anything) about the country?

You aren’t alone.

While Americans flock to areas like Punta Cana by the thousands, we rarely know a lot about the country and its other tourist destinations. It’s one of the Caribbean islands where people tend to head straight from the airport to the resort, with no stops in between.

But if you want to plan a trip to Punta Cana or another spot, you might want a few tips for traveling to the Dominican Republic.

Is traveling to the Dominican Republic safe? Are there any places tourists shouldn’t go? And what should you do if you want to venture off the resort?

Here’s how to plan a trip to Punta Cana and beyond.

6 tips for traveling to the Dominican Republic

Tip #1: There are three main resort zones

Playa Blanca, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Sea (Getty)

The most popular destination in the Dominican Republic is Punta Cana. Punta Cana is located on the island’s eastern tip and is famous for its white-sand beaches. You can find dozens of all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, along with transfers from the airport. The country’s main airport is Punta Cana International Airport.

However, La Romana and Puerto Plata are two other popular tourist zones. Both are home to high-quality resorts, usually a little bit nicer and more upscale than their Punta Cana counterparts.

Both areas have small international airports where you can fly directly in, or take a transfer from Santo Domingo Airport. (Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic’s capital city.)

Tip #2: The Dominican Republic is considered safe for tourists

Like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic faces pretty high crime rates, especially for petty crime like pickpocketing. However, just like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic is considered safe for tourists.

You need to be careful when you’re in crowded public spaces and, like I always say, shouldn’t get drunk in public to avoid turning yourself into a target.

That being said, don’t write off the Dominican Republic due to any negative stories you might have heard. Remember: by following safety travel protocols on your resort and off the resort, you can stay safe in just about any place in the world.

Tip #3: You can venture out for day trips and private tours

Canto de la Playa, Saona Island, East National Park (Getty)

Private tours will take you off resorts in Punta Cana, La Romana, and Puerto Plata—and they’re highly recommended. Tours run a huge gamut, from hiking in tropical jungles to discover waterfalls to horseback riding on the beach during sunset. There are even day trips to remote islands, cultural excursions in the capital of Santo Domingo, and thrilling ATV tours.

Just know that you should be booking all day trips and excursions with your concierge. Major hotels and resorts already have tour group partners in place, so you don’t need to wonder whether a tour company is safe and reliable. Avoid booking any experiences with solo sellers you meet in public spaces.

Tip #4: You probably don’t need to rent a car

Geography lesson: The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Haiti covers the western part of the island. The Dominican Republic’s portion is around 18,000 square miles, which comprises dense jungles, mountain ranges, and world-class beaches.

If you wanted to explore the nation by car, it could take up to two weeks for the slower travelers or even a week for the faster ones. That being said, I don’t recommend renting a car in the Dominican Republic. Instead, book your tours and excursions with qualified guides.

More remote country roads could be dangerous, while traffic in urban areas is renowned for being dense and drivers for being aggressive. In other words, you probably don’t need a car to have a great time—especially if you’re spending most of your time in a resort.

Tip #5: Bring some pesos

Mano Juan, Saona Island, East National Park (Parque Nacional del Este) (Getty)

The Dominican Republic uses Dominican pesos. While locals who work in hospitality are used to earning in dollars, especially when it comes to tips, I recommend bringing a few pesos with you. They’re much better for smaller purchases that you make outside the resort, and make it easier to tip someone on the go. And, like learning a bit of Spanish, it also signals that you’re thinking about locals.

Tip #6: Don’t drink the tap water

Just a friendly reminder that, when you’re off the resort, don’t drink the tap water and be mindful of buying treats that include or were washed with tap water. That being said, resorts understand that most visitors can’t handle the tap water, meaning it won’t end up in your glass or on your plate.

Recent American Airlines Fire Raises Ethics Questions for Passengers

When was the last time you actually listened to the security instructions on a flight?

Most passengers can probably list out the most important elements—

Put on an oxygen mask before helping someone else put theirs on. Don’t forget that the nearest emergency exit could be behind your seat. Don’t smoke e-cigarettes—or regular ones.

But what about in the event of fire?

On a recent flight out of Denver, Colorado, passengers exited the plane via an emergency chute after a small brake fire grounded the plane. Instead of sparking questions for the airline, its brake system, and the safety of air travel as a whole, it’s starting to garner attention due to passenger behavior.

American Airlines Flight 3023

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, American Airlines Flight 3023 was departing Denver International Airport on a short domestic flight to Miami International Airport. During takeoff, a brake system malfunction caused one of the tires to blow out and be engulfed in flames.

Following emergency protocols, pilots safely re-landed at Denver International Airport. Dense smoke could be seen across the air strip as passengers evacuated via the inflatable slide. Shortly after, the Denver Fire Department extinguished the fire without incident.

Following the brake system malfunction, one passenger was sent to the hospital with minor injuries, while four others were treated at the scene.

On Sunday, headlines hit the airwaves—and Americans had reason to once again question the state of air travel in the United States. Since then, however, the general public has spoken—and it looks like they aren’t happy with reactions from passengers fleeing the smoke-riddled Boeing airplane.

Some weren’t following emergency protocol—and many on the internet are pointing out that it could have ended in disaster.

Emergency protocol

If you watch video clips of passengers disembarking the plane, you’ll notice that many are carrying their handbags with them. While it might seem natural to grab your belongings before fleeing for your life (or even instinct for women who are used to toting along a purse), it breaks one key safety protocol: leave your belongings behind.

As keyboard warriors have noted in the comment section of many video clips, passengers who chose to carry their belongings could have compromised the safety of other passengers.

Delaying the emergency exit process, even for a few seconds, can cause longer delays down the line. In this case, passengers stuck on the plane were facing dense plumes of smoke, which can cause respiratory distress. In other words, though life-threatening danger was out of the way, other risks persisted.

In choosing to grab their bags, passengers not only delayed others, but also created potential obstacles and blocks. In a total worst-case scenario, taking a bag could even compromise safety equipment.

Consider it a reminder to leave everything behind on the plane, even if there’s no apparent life-threatening risk.