About 1 mile south of downtown, secluded Victoria Beach has volleyball courts and La Tour , a Rapunzel’s-tower-like structure from 1926. Skimboarding (at the south end) and scuba diving are popular here. Take the stairs down Victoria Dr; there’s limited parking along PCH.
Further south, Aliso Beach County Park is popular with surfers, boogie boarders and skimboarders. With picnic tables, fire pits and a play area, it’s also good for families. Pay-and-display parking costs $1 per hour. Or drive south and park on PCH for free.
Jealously guarded by locals, Thousand Steps Beach is hidden about 1 mile south of Aliso Beach. Just past Mission Hospital, park along PCH or residential side streets. At the south end of 9th St, more than 200 steps (way less than 1000) lead down to the sand. Though rocky, the beach is great for sunbathing, surfing and bodysurfing.
