Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
Yes
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
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Chock full of amenities such as a covered pavilion, a paved walking road, sand volleyball courts, basketball and tennis courts, a playground, public art and a skateboard park, the 36-acre Kalama Park draws crowds. The inline skate park on site is always busy — it’s fun to both watch and participate, and we’d contest that there might not be a more beautiful backdrop for an inline skating rink anywhere else in the world. Plus, it’s free if you bring your own skates and only $5 to rent skates, a helmet and pads. Because Kalama Park is quite spacious, it’s also often used for concerts, fairs and large community gatherings. Needless to say, if you’re looking to mingle with locals and tourists alike, Kalama Park is a good bet.

Most of the long shoreline is inaccessible thanks to a built-up rock wall that stabilizes the grassy area and walking path. The beach at Kalama Park proper is quite small and not ideal for swimming — the nearshore ocean bottom is rocky and shallow, and the water is typically murky because of seaweed. The same goes for Cove Beach, which is just to the south. Your best bet is to arrive early. The morning currents generally do a good job of moving the seaweed out from shore.

What these two beaches lack in good swimming they make up for in excellent surfing. The two parks are hot spots for both tourists and locals, and on nearly any given day you’ll find a plethora of beginner to intermediate surfers. Where there are surfers, there are lessons — if you’re interested in trying it out under the guidance of a pro, chances are you’ll spot a colorful surf school van, truck, bus, etc. in the parking lot. Stand-up paddleboarding is also rising in popularity at this beach. If you're renting a board and coming out for the day, it's highly advised to bring proper footwear to protect your feet from the rocks near the shore. The best part: many report surfing alongside green sea turtles at both Kalama Park and Cove Beach Park. Now that’s an authentic experience.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

One of the best beaches to learn to surf. Volleyball courts. Skateboard park. Playing fields.

Cons

Very limited parking. Small beach.

Features

ADA accessible
Picnic tables
Covered picnic areas
Surfing

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

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