Though there are quite a few different techniques in presenting lures, shoreliners are pretty much restricted to casting and retrieving for striped bass.  The best way to start out is to select a lure you are comfortable with—or one you've heard has been working  in a certain area lately—and throw it out in a classic fan pattern.  If you are unsure if there are stripers around, cast farther and cover a larger range.  Don't be afraid to cast near the shore because stripers will come in very close and in extremely shallow water.   Remember a basic guideline: retrieve slowly if the water is cold, and somewhat rapidly if it's warm.  Use dark lures on dark days, light lures on light days.  Don't get stuck in a particular retrieve, however; vary your speeds and don't always go for a steady retrieve.  Sometimes a slight jigging motion will make all the difference.

Here are the lures I've found most effective for striped bass.  This is by no means an all-inclusive list.  Consult with baitshop owners and find out what is currently working.  Talk to other anglers--especially the ones with the fish.  Obviously, the best lure is the one that catches the striped bass. 

                        In the bays and the Delta.
Rat-L-Trap.  This crankbait style lure is very good in both bays as well as the rivers and sloughs of the Delta.  1/2-3/4 ounce sizes are perfect unless the wind is howling and you need more weight.  The black or blue chrome models are good for the bays and the tiger and crayfish models are good for the Delta.  But they are interchangeable. 
Hair Raiser.  Much debate has been devoted to what this lure resembles in Nature.  Who knows?  Who cares?  It works, and in just about every environment. It is a jig style lure and should be thrown and retrieved with that in mind.  However, it can get snagged easily, so don't get too casual or you will lose it.  Many people swear by a particular color or style of worm.  Have both the white and chartreuse colors on hand with curly tails and you will be fine.  Best to use as light a weight as you can get away with. 
Kastmaster.  A good lure if you need to throw hard and far.  This one rides the surface and can get stripers furious when they see it bobbing across the waves.  Best in the bays and occasionally on the surf.  Try 3/4-1 ounce with single hook and a bucktail. 
Swim Bait.  Very effective in clear water.  It looks realistic and will stir up the sand just like a baitfish.  Supposedly the thumping of its tail attracts fish.  It is best in San Francisco Bay in deeper water. Use colors that match anchovies, smelt, or sardines. 

 

                                     On the surf.
Pencil Popper.  This basic design gets results.  Throw it well out into the surf and let it float , then jerk it in or retrieve steadily.  If there are stripers around, they will smack it. 
Hard Iron.  Meant for what it sounds like  This is a lure you use to get out as far as you can and work back anyway you can. 
Zara Spook.  A popular brand name for a variety of floating lures that resemble bait fish.  Rebels and Bombers are also good.