understand that there is a flow a way of being there that requires a certain mindset to really enjoy. I always bail when its crowded. It is totally understandable for people to want to play and have boisterous fun, and many beaches are equipped to handle that with beach volley net areas set up closer to the parking areas along with even picnic setups. But the wall to wall blankets with coolers and worse JBL speakers blasting whatever the beachgoer thinks is the coolest music and wants everyone within 100 feet to have to listen to garbled with five other beachgoers who are doing the same thing. It loses its savor extremely fast. I guess that is why early morning has been the best beach time for my wife and I even if that means giving up some serious rays.

Best beach etiquette I have experienced in recent years along the California coast was Ledbetter Beach in Santa Barbara. We hit it about 10 am and stayed until after 4pm. While there were plenty of people about, it never got crowded, and everyone spaced themselves rather nicely. Also those there to picnic set up further away from the shoreline while those only interested in sunbathing were closer with a minimalist set up. We spent the day watching kite surfers on one side and surfers on the other. The kite surfers had their setups spread out in one specific area and everyone was taking turns launching from the shore. They were even helping each other even though it was a motley crew of young people along with older silver haired retirees. Everyone was polite on the beach and it was one of the most pleasant beach experiences I had in a while. To be fair most of the beaches from Santa Barbara up to Morro Bay were all pretty mellow chill places to walk, enjoy the water and get some sun. Even on "crowded" days it never felt like packed in sardines like you get down in OC or further south.