Los Angeles truly has the best of everything, it has the best food, the best beaches, the best places to shop, the best places for history buffs to learn, and several gorgeous national parks. One of the biggest draws of the Los Angeles area is the beach scene. We put together our list of some of the best spots in the L.A. area to relax by the Pacific, whether you have a dog, want to hang glide, fancy a snorkel or a kayak, can’t do without catching some waves on your surfboard, enjoy birding, or just have a hankering to swim and nap.
The City of Angels’ beach culture is deeply ingrained in its identity, attracting local and tourist beachgoers, surfers, sunbathers, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Moreover, the Los Angeles County beaches are very unique and different from any other city’s beaches. They are alive and vibrant with a culture that is unique only to them, have street performers, amusement parks, restaurants, bars, cafes, and a buzzing nightlife scene all situated on several piers.
Families may enjoy large beaches like Santa Monica or Redondo Beach, with a wide range of facilities, retail areas, and amenities, while adventurers may like more secluded beaches like those found in Malibu or Palos Verdes.
Check out the top options with our list of the best beaches in Los Angeles.
1. Santa Monica
The beaches have an old-school, East Coast feel, very wide and flat, with the addition of bike paths and plenty of outdoor exercise areas. The main beach, Santa Monica State Beach, is 3.5 miles long, intersected by the Santa Monica Pier. The pier is a fun entertainment and amusement park, extending out into Santa Monica Bay. The beach is also one of the best beaches in LA for young children, as there are a lot of play areas, including a universally accessible, barrier-free playground. The North Beach Playground has sensory elements designed for touching, feeling, and hearing, with equipment designed to inspire mobility, activity, and imagination.
The Strand Beach boardwalk and bike path continues south to Venice Beach (and all the way down to Redondo Beach). It’s part of LA’s Marvin Braude Bike Trail, a 22-mile-long uninterrupted bike path mainly following The Strand along the beachfront. It starts at Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades and runs all the way to Torrance County Beach, past Redondo Beach.
For accommodations in Santa Monica, if you’re looking to splurge, Shutters on the Beach is a luxury beachfront hotel that replicates the grand Victorian beach hotels in a modern California style. The hotel is right on the beachfront promenade and bike path, a few steps from the sand.
Right next door and right on the sand is the very fancy Hotel Casa del Mar. Built in 1926 as a private beach club, it was popular with Hollywood celebrities of the day. The historic Italian Renaissance Revival building was transformed into an ultra-luxury hotel in the early 2000s.
2. Venice Beach
Venice City Beach is famous for its bohemian culture, colorful street performers, and the famous Muscle Beach outdoor gym. The beach also offers a bike path, a skatepark, and a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
You’ll find that this is the best beach to enjoy some people watching in LA, and you can also enjoy a day of sports in the volleyball nets, and tennis court, or even go skating in the skate park.
The gorgeous beachfront walkway boardwalk here is noteworthy and is a cultural hub. It has street performers, delicious pizza places, and the cutest ice cream stands. All in all, this is an absolute must-visit beach.
3. El Matador State Beach
Small and dominated by rocky outcrops, El Matador my not fit your typical idea of an afternoon on the sand—but it’s far and away SoCal’s most beautiful beach. Wear shoes and don’t bring too much gear; the western Malibu spot is only accessible via a steep gravelly path. Spread your towel in the cupped hands of the rocks—just watch out for high tide. Arriving early or staying late should reward you with a memorable dawn or sunset. El Matador and nearby El Pescador and La Piedra beaches collectively form the Robert H. Meyer Memorial Beaches. Consider walking down to Lechuza for a less dramatic but less busy stretch of sand.
4. Carbon Beach
Carbon Beach is a secluded little-known seaside in Malibu, often referred to as Billionaire’s Beach due to its high concentration of very wealthy homeowners and celebrities with lavish properties along the exclusive beachfront. In the past, some locals have put up signage to allude the area is private, however, the beach itself is public and a great spot for swimming and uninterrupted relaxation in the soft sand. Billionaire’s Beach features three access points, but be on the lookout as the brown signs can be easy to miss.
Following your beach day, head to the famed Nobu Malibu. For something a little more casual, Malibu Farm, found on Malibu Pier, is a great option for lunch or dinner.
5. Malibu
Malibu’s cove-type beaches are sometimes secluded beaches surrounded by bluffs or cliffs. Some have parking at the top of the bluff and are accessible only via a winding path that leads to the sand.
One great beach is Topanga Beach, where Topanga Canyon meets the Pacific Coast Highway. This is one of the original surfing beaches and has been featured in many movies and TV shows. There are basic services (bathrooms and outdoor showers) in the parking lot.
Topanga is a mile-wide rocky, pebbly beach, best for water sports, diving, or fishing – but not so good for swimming. There is a picnic area, and the parking lot has beach wheelchairs available for those with accessibility issues. Topanga is also easily reachable via public transportation, there’s a Metro bus stop right here.
Paradise Cove is a semi-private beach area and beachfront restaurant in Malibu. It’s a good option for couples or those seeking a luxury or romantic beach experience, as they offer cabanas, beach chairs, and double beach beds with waiter service. The beach is next to the Malibu Pier, and the area of the sand above the waterline is for the exclusive use of Paradise Cove guests.
6. Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is a quieter, more upscale alternative to Venice and Santa Monica. It’s known for its picturesque pier and for hosting the annual Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament.
The beach offers scenic views, a surf spot, and a picnic area. This is also a popular luxury real estate area and you’ll find a lot of upscale mansions here. The area also features some of the best restaurants in the city. Don’t miss out on watching the sunset from the Manhattan Beach Pier.
7. Zuma Beach
Make the drive past Will Rogers and Surfrider beaches and you’ll be rewarded with a clean, wide patch of sand and surf at Zuma. A popular spot on weekends and holidays for locals and destination beach-goers, this Malibu beach can hold crowds with plenty of onsite parking (pay at the lot or for free along PCH and Westward Beach Road) and lifeguards on duty. Surfers can catch some waves at this sandy beach break, but waves tend to close out, making this a perfect spot for boogie boarders and body surfers. Venture to nearby Point Dume for idyllic hikes and repelling.
8. Paradise Cove Beach
Paradise Cove Beach is a tiny, public/private beach tucked beneath the cliffs of Malibu. It’s mostly under the auspices of the Paradise Cove Beach Café, who provide all the amenities, but you can access the beach for free if you want to swim or surf. Many who visit come to rent out the private terraces, beach beds, and lounges, and if you can pony up the cash (the private terraces can run almost $800 on the most expensive weekend days), it’s one of the most relaxing spots in Malibu. If you want to get a great beach walk in, stroll from Escondido to Paradise Cove, and you’ll have earned that glass of rosé at sunset.
9. Huntington Beach
One of the surf capitals of the region and the world, Huntington Beach boasts some of Southern California’s best waves and some of its most beautiful beaches. The beach is wide and flat and goes on for almost 10 uninterrupted miles on either side of the city’s large pier.
After enjoying the beach, there’s a vibrant downtown retail district right across the street. The city is home to the International Surfing Museum, and it’s worth a visit. The city and its beaches get very crowded on holiday weekends and during the annual professional surfing tournament held each summer.
The Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort is a stylish, surf-themed hotel across the street from the beach and a short stroll from the pier. The pet-friendly hotel (any pet, any size as long as it will fit in the elevator) is also the closest resort to the city’s famous dog beach. The Huntington Dog Beach is an off-leash dog park on the sand, one of the few in California. Dog Beach is the area off Pacific Coast Highway, between the Seapoint and Golden West traffic lights.
10. Hermosa Beach
Hermosa City Beach is a lively spot known for its beach volleyball courts and nightlife scene. It’s also a popular spot for bonfires and beachside yoga classes.
Hermosa Beach holds the peak of the epitome of California’s surf culture. With the perfect tide and waves for surfing, you’ll find a lot of surfers on this beach. Hermosa Drive and Pier Avenue which are close to the beach are the two most popular streets for shopping and entertainment in LA and so we highly recommend visiting them.
