Sent you a PM.
I looked at some places on Airbnb in my area of San Diego near La Jolla. There were a few places in the village for $a week that were less than $2K, but only 2 bedrooms. If you stay in La Jolla there are lots of places to walk to for eating, shopping and of course the beach. La Jolla is beautiful, but can be expensive.
I can second either Oceanside or San Clemente, CA. I’ve lived in both. San Clemente has more charm than Oceanside, but it costs more too.
If you are looking to get away from the usual places, and don’t mind being a bit more remote, try Cambria. Beautiful area, and much more laid back then the bigger beach towns down south.
Depending on what it is you are looking to do, one week may be perfect, or too long.
A plug for my city, Seal Beach. Really cute little beach town, with an old school main street (called Main St. oddly enough).
Located right between Long Beach & Huntington Beach on LA/OC county line.
I 100% agree with Balboa Island. It’s a bay town, with 6 lovely blocks of mom & pops and wonderful cafes, - there’s a major grocery store 2 blocks off the island, a sweet ferry ride (8 minutes each way) will take you 2 blocks away from the ocean - the island itself has pocket “beaches” (sand and access to the water). You can take a car on the ferry (it holds 3 vehicles) and there are more eateries within walking of the ferry (on the peninsula side). Balboa Island is fully walkable, in fact you can walk the entire perimeter (about 1.5 miles) without ever encountering a car. It’s a place I take visitors and they can’t believe it’s So Cal. People on the island are super friendly too!
If you are into wine, Cambria is a short distance to the Paso Robles wine region. Some of California’s best wines come from this region because of the natural minerals contained in the soil there. Cambria is also just a short distance from Hearst Castle, a definite must-see!
So many good suggestions, but I’ll throw my vote to Seal Beach or San Clemente…
Some may depend on what else you want to do in the area and how far you want to drive to do it!
ETA: I have no idea what home rentals cost in any of these towns, so I can’t really address the “without breaking the bank” aspect. I suspect most beach towns are going to be expensive.
There are 16 great white sharks that have been hanging around Seal Beach for the last year or so, if that’s an issue for you. The good news is that they are eating the stingrays that populate the area.
Costs will vary wildly, but that’s the cool thing about VRBO-ing – you can get whatever fits your budget.
Manhattan Beach is going to be one of the more expensive locations (if not the most expensive), and as you can see by looking at the link below, you can stay for as little as ~$100/night to well over $2,500/night.
The OP said she is looking for beautiful views. The LA and Northern OC beaches like Venice, Manhattan Beach, Seal Beach and others mentioned are great places to live and nice to visit if you are seeking proximity to LA. But for the beautiful views, I’d recommend the central California coast, like, as someone mentioned, Cambria, or Northern California, like Stinson Beach in Marin County north of SF, or Half Moon Bay south of SF, or even Mendocino, which is gorgeous but remote.
Agree with notelling.
Also, take a look at places near Big Sur, Carmel, and Point Lobos if you are looking for beautiful views. That puts you close enough to Monterey for a variety of other things to do.
Generally agree with nottelling as well (Dana Point and La Jolla I think could still fit the bill).
However, I was thinking “proximity to the beach” meant literally on the beach. And I am also wondering what else the OP wants to do while in CA…these two considerations might change the recommendations.
Also how “beautiful” a view are we talking? Almost any beach is going to be a beautiful view especially at sunset.
If it’s views you’re after, head north. But if you want to get a taste of beach life in California then check out Newport Beach, Balboa Island, Dana Point, San Clemente, and Oceanside, La Jolla and Del Mar further south.
I also love Santa Monica, Manhattan and Hermosa Beach. These are in L. A. county. The others are in Orange and San Diego counties.