El Matador, California

From the small parking lot at the clifftop, a rough track takes you to several steep flights of steps, which lead to the sand. These stairs help to keep the beach from becoming too busy - but on summer weekends, there's still quite a throng. It's easy to find a good spot on the beach to relax and picnic.

Swimming and bodyboarding are very popular - but there's only a lifeguard on duty during busy times.

Several mysterious rock caves, and imposing sea stacks are dotted about the beach - these make for great exploring and scrambling. At low tide, investigate the amazing variety of sea-life living in the rockpools. If this sounds too energetic, lie back and enjoy the sunshine. Keep an eye out for the rich and famous, as El Matador beach is a celebrity spotter's dream.

El Matador beach is the most easterly of the three beaches that make up the Robert H Meyer State park. The remaining two, 'La Piedra' and 'El Pescador' are very similar in character, though not as big. All three beaches are quite superb.