I think this is a really nice beach. It's also a really popular beach so there are people everywhere, but it's great if you like to people watch because a lot of people there are ones that like to show themselves off. There's often events going on there too, so there's plenty to do. On Main Street at the Pier there is also shopping and restaurants. The water is usually pretty blue with good waves, but occassionally it won't be so clean, and a couple times I've gone there were jellyfish everywhere (the lifeguard said they were just "passing through" though, so I have no idea how long they'll be there). The sand is clean and soft and if you go out in the water it's not rocky and you can wade out pretty far. Parking is really expensive ($12) right on the beach, so I recommend if you are ok with a bit of a walk that you park in the neighborhoods just off of PCH (7th-10th streets is usually a good place to find free parking if you're going to the Pier).
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