i wanna visit California. what are the best beaches?

beaches are over rated you should go to the mountains

This is a very subjective question.

Santa Monica has the best pier.

Venice has the most entertainment, and has a certain weirdness factor.

Huntington and Bolsa Chica have firepits for bonfires. Huntington also has a good pier and tasty waves.

Newport Beach by the Balboa pier is nice. There's the Balboa Fun Zone nearby, and Balboa Pier has a Ruby's Diner on the end. (So does Huntington).

There are lifeguards at all public beaches, it's the law.

Greater L.A.'s 72 miles coastline has 30 miles of beaches altogether. They're operated/maintained by the Department of Beaches & Harbors which is located in Marina del Rey.

A list of the beaches considered "best" by most people:

El Pescado, La Piedra, El Matador (Malibu, secluded, no lifeguards)

Hermosa City Beach

Leo Carillo Beach

Malibu Lagoon State Beach

Manhattan State Beach

North County Line Beach

Paradise Cove

Point Dume Beach

Redondo State Beach

Santa Monica State Beach

Surfrider Beach

Topanga State Beach

Venice Beach

Will Rogers State Beach

Zuma Beach County Park

Each person has to decide for himself which beach is "best" for him, it's very subjective.

My own personal favorite is Malibu Beach and Pier.

Pismo Beach.

How about a fit man instead? I have not seen any female lifeguards. I really want to see one of those run to me in slow motion as I fake pretend an injury. :'(