Housing

[missionhome]

$275k does not buy in beach towns in this state. Consider being very close to all metro areas out also. LA/Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco/Bay Area, are all not going to get a 2,800 square foot home for $275k. Even in the lower cost areas of the state, that might buy you a 1,100 square foot home, but 2,800 square feet and $275k just don't go together here. Once you get to the northern beaches like Eureka area, you might as well just live in southern Oregon since the climate and beaches are similar. Consider living away from the coast (not necessarily the nicest areas though, but affordable cities by CA standards):
Needles
Big Pine
Bakersfield
Fresno
Clovis
Visalia
Redding
Merced
Chico
Those are all cities where you could find something for $275k and 2,800 square feet. It is up to you if these cities are a decent fit for you, but all are over an hour from the ocean, most 4-5 hours to the ocean.

[vfrpilot]

Needles has some great beaches. They are along the Colorado River though. OP never said 'Ocean-front Beach'

[MWJamesLDS]

Originally Posted by missionhome

$275k does not buy in beach towns in this state. Consider being very close to all metro areas out also. LA/Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco/Bay Area, are all not going to get a 2,800 square foot home for $275k. Even in the lower cost areas of the state, that might buy you a 1,100 square foot home, but 2,800 square feet and $275k just don't go together here. Once you get to the northern beaches like Eureka area, you might as well just live in southern Oregon since the climate and beaches are similar. Consider living away from the coast (not necessarily the nicest areas though, but affordable cities by CA standards):
Needles
Big Pine
Bakersfield
Fresno
Clovis
Visalia
Redding
Merced
Chico
Those are all cities where you could find something for $275k and 2,800 square feet. It is up to you if these cities are a decent fit for you, but all are over an hour from the ocean, most 4-5 hours to the ocean.

You may find a 2800 sqft home for under 275K in many of these areas, but they will either be in the worst part of town or being on ity bity tiny lots. Think patio for a back yard.

[ShastaLiving]

Like everyone else said...the beach house (or close to the beach) under $275K doesn't exist. BUT...if water is what you want, I can get you this 3br, 2ba house in California (the Northstate part) for $275,000. It's in the Lake California (gated community) just 20 min. south of Redding, CA
COTTONWOOD Single Family Home Tehama County 96022 Real Estate

[goozer]

Try somewhere in the Indio area. You might be able to find what you are looking for in your price range. And while it won't be close to the pacific ocean, you may be able to find something close to the Salton Sea. Of course...if you imagine moving to the coastal California that you see in the movies (Malibu, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, etc), you will find that Indio is not that place. But given your price range and square footage demands, that is the type of area you will want to be looking at.