LA JOLLA – La Jolla Cove is number one.
The tiny beach has been ranked the No. 1 beach in the United States in TripAdvisor’s 2026 Traveler’s Choice Awards, according to the travel site. The cove also placed seventh on TripAdvisor’s global list of best beaches, ahead of destinations including La Pelosa in Sardinia, Italy.
It is one of only two California beaches to appear in the top 10 nationally. Santa Monica State Beach ranked ninth.
“A scenic beach where blue-green waters meet dramatic cliffs,” TripAdvisor said of the cove. “It’s a popular surfing spot and home to seals, sea lions, and tide pools. Take a stroll on the promenade or go kayaking or paddleboarding, then catch the colorful sunset.”
The rankings are based entirely on user-submitted reviews from Nov. 30, 2024 through Dec. 1, 2025. TripAdvisor considers both the quantity of reviews and the overall rating given by travelers worldwide.
La Jolla Cove received more than 13,800 reviews, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. Higher-ranked beaches combined a consistent volume of reviews with strong ratings, reflecting both visitor frequency and satisfaction.
TripAdvisor highlighted user feedback as part of its ranking process. One reviewer posted in February:
“La Jolla Beach [sic] was stunning – everything about it! We loved walking around, taking in the views, and watching the birds and sea lions. Such a fun, lively area and an overall beautiful place to spend time. Definitely, a must-see!”
The site said it used comments like these to illustrate the experiences that contributed to La Jolla Cove’s top ranking.
This is the first year La Jolla Cove has claimed the No. 1 spot nationally, after placing fifth in last year’s U.S. rankings. Other top-ranked U.S. beaches in 2026 include multiple locations in Hawaii and Florida.
Santa Monica State Beach, the only other California site in the top 10, was noted for its boardwalk and surfing opportunities. Hawaii was represented by Poipu Beach on Kauai, Waikiki Beach on Oahu, Lanikai Beach on Oahu, and Punalu’u Black Sand Beach on the Big Island.
Other top international beaches included La Pelosa in Italy, Bondi Beach in Australia, and several destinations in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia.
TripAdvisor’s listings provide additional travel information, including planning guides, maps, and tips for visiting the top-ranked beaches.
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