Top 10 California Beaches To Be A Lifeguard

Top 10 California Beaches For Lifeguards

It is no new story that lifeguards from all over the world sacrifice a lot for the well-being of others, sometimes at their own peril. Here on Lifeguard Times™ we are committed to putting the spotlight on these true heroes. However this time we are not talking about the dramatic rescues, the lifesaving CPRs and the quick reactions that would-have-been victims are indebted to – this time we are going to be talking about the ten best California beaches to be a lifeguard. What’s Batman without Gotham City? So, here are our ten best “Gotham” Cities in California for lifeguards. Oh, and did we mention California is the highest paying state for lifeguards with some of our favorite heroes raking in over $100,000 in a year… Well worth it if you ask me.

10. La Jolla Shores Beach

There are several wonderful beaches in the San Diego area and La Jolla Shores is one of its finest. La Jolla Shore is a popular spot and can be jam-packed at times, so if you are one lifeguard who loves a busy workplace in California then La Jolla is your place. Keep your eyes peeled though for visitors that like shoving off to explore the La Jolla Shore in a kayak, children on body-boards and also the surfers riding the waves here.

9. Santa Monica State Beach

This beach has an amazing pier sporting amusement rides, shops, parking spaces and a huge beach that pulls in thousands of visitors daily. Here’s the one place lifeguards can test their hawk-eye skills because there is certainly a lot to watch out for. Visitors are attracted by the constant presence of seaside fun at the Santa Monica and with ample seaside fun for visitors comes great responsibility for lifeguards!

8. Coronado Beach

The Coronado Beach is yet another beach in the San Diego area and is often considered the preferred beach for kids, couples, families and dogs too. For more than a century, Coronado’s beaches have been a reliable source of revenue due to a steady presence of visitors, especially the seaside in front of the exquisite Hotel Del Coronado which has been open since 1888. The Coronado beach doesn’t have huge waves as it is shielded by Point Loma. What it does however have is a seemingly unending flock of swimmers, boogie boarders, swimmers, sand sculptors and tide poolers…Oh, and there are whale watchers too. So lifeguards who love the thrill and adrenaline rush they get when a swimmer is in potential trouble can just sign up at Coronado beach. You are guaranteed some action. Surfers hit the North Beach in the morning, and dogs prefer to frolic at the far end of the North beach dubbed the Coronado Dog Beach.

7. San Gregorio State Beach

San Gregorio beach is located in the San Mateo County. And with the countless beaches common in this area, the San Gregorio beach certainly stands out. Visitors love it, explorers love it (mostly because it has unique rocks and fossils), and apparently nature loves it too as birds are always present on the San Gregorio State beach. San Gregorio is said to be one of the most walkable beaches in the San Mateo area and one of the best for surfers too as it often boasts of really high tides. Lifeguards here have to keep an eye out for swimmers getting dragged in by the waves, or surfers getting knocked off their boards. Not that it matters to a lifeguard, but it’s probably not a good idea to go too far north of the beach on your first day at work as it holds a private clothing-optional beach.

6. Hermosa Beach

This list wouldn’t be complete without the renowned Hermosa Beach. Famous for the abundance of outdoor beach activities such as surfing, paddleball, swimming, sunbathing and volleyball, the Hermosa Beach also played host to 2016’s USLA National Lifeguard Competitions. Hermosa offers a paved boardwalk bordering the beach called the Strand, where bikers, joggers, and strollers frequent during the day. At night, the Strand is a great people-watching spot as crowds fill the restaurants and bars.

Newport Beach

5. Newport Beach

Still in California is one beach lush with coastal charms. The Newport Beach is no new terrain for jet-setters, trendsetters and beach lovers who know of its qualities and they’ve been taking full advantage of this knowledge for decades. Newport Beach naturally calls out to visitors and they answer in their hundreds to this magnificent stretch of beach which runs south from Newport Pier to Balboa Pier. Surfers, sunbathers, and families are always here and so is a wooden lifeguard stand!

4. Laguna Beach

Laguna is not only one of the most fashionable and culturally rich towns in the Orange County; it is also home to the exquisite Laguna Beach. Visitors are usually here to enjoy the peace and calm the Laguna waters provide alongside the regular sporting activities such as volleyball and surfing. While the Laguna Beach is relatively calm and relaxed, lifeguards here shouldn’t mirror the beach when performing their duties. Nonetheless, the Laguna Beach is a great place to be a lifeguard.

3. Venice Beach

You would not find a beach like Venice Beach anywhere else in the world. Sure, every other beach in the world, including the ones in California has sand, the sunshine and surf but when it comes to an almost endless supply of entertainment, Venice is unmatched in the art. From circus acts to preening weight lifters to barefoot sand sculptors and music artists, there is enough entertainment to occupy the thousands that flock here daily. Entertainers to entertain, lifeguards to serve, protect, rescue, perform CPR and yell “Ma’am that’s the deep end. Watch the flag!” …explains why they are paid a fortune here. Anyone who can stay focused in the face of all this entertainment is not just doing their job…they are giving up their social life so others can have one!

2. Salt Creek Beach

Certainly one of Orange County and California’s finest, Salt Creek Beach Park is a haven for residents and families in the Orange County area. The tides are quite inviting and surfers love it here. With lifeguards available to look out for swimmers and body-boarders that drift out too far, visitors can rest assured that they have an extra layer of protection. Lifeguards, on the other hand, have the lively ambiance of this beach to look forward to.

1. Catalina Island

And our final pick for the top ten best places to lifeguard in California is located 22 miles off the Southern California coast, lush with outdoor activities such as scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling and hiking, this go-to spot for beach lovers is crowded (to put it lightly) with several fun activities in full display. Lifeguarding on this beach is surely a great way to perfect your scanning skills because…Yes! You must keep an eye out for potential threats to the sea of people scattered on this Island. It could be hard to sift through the crowds to spot a drowning person, so it’s best to be proactive and not let anyone drown on your watch!╚

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