California offers a mix of secluded coastal hikes and offbeat swimming holes that responsibly reward effort with spacious, crystal-clear water, from a challenging-to-reach beach near San Diego to Lake Anza in Berkeley’s Tilden Regional Park and Rainbow Pool in the Tuolumne River valley. Visitors should note crowding and safety considerations at these sites, including capacity limits and water safety advisories, and plan accordingly for a more tranquil summer experience.
