Experiencing the best beaches in Los Angeles is a major draw for many visitors to the city. It`s easy to understand why – LA has incredibly beautiful beaches! With cliffside tide pools, wide stretches of soft sand, and crashing waves, the coast provides activities for all interests.
As a Los Angeles local, my affection for the sea runs deep, and I’m here to disclose the best beach spots I repeatedly return to. This guide will cover how you can visit 22 of the finest beaches in Los Angeles County, listed from south to north.
And while you’re here, bookmark my guide to the 57 best activities in Los Angeles. It’s a great resource to round out your beach trip with other LA attractions!
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23 Best Beaches In Los Angeles (& Nearby)
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
A secluded location in Rancho Palos Verdes.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: 30 min – Free, 30 min to 2 hours – $6, 2+ hours – $12, Lot entrance closes at 4 pm | 🐕 Dogs: On hiking trails only, leash required | 🛎️ Best Nearby Hotel: Terranea Resort
Situated on the Palos Verdes peninsula, Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is a secluded haven of coastal nature with hiking trails and thriving tide pools. Waves are calm enough for swimming and wading, but be careful of rocks.
I advise being prepared for an expedition when heading here. Reaching the shoreline and coastal activities necessitates steep trails.
The facilities here are restrooms, picnic tables, and benches. Lifeguards are on responsibility during daylight hours in summer & weekends.
🐙 Pro Tip: To see creatures in the tide pools, you’ll need to be there at low tide. Check this surf forecast for detailed information.
Rat Beach
A location in Torrance well-known for surfing.
📍 Map Site | Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: $7 daily, 300 spaces | 🐕 Dogs: Not permitted* | 🛎️ Nearby Hotel: Best Western Plus Redondo Beach Inn
Fear not, the name of this seaside beach has nothing to do with rodents. Officially called Torrance Beach, rat stands for “right after Torrance” or “Redondo and Torrance.”
This Los Angeles beach offers excellent opportunities for scuba diving, skin diving, swimming, fishing, and surfing. However, don`t forget your sun protective equipment! The most effective way to safeguard yourself and marine life is by wearing a rashguard and mineral-based sunscreen.
The facilities available here include restrooms, a concession stand, showers, a bike path, an access mat, beach wheelchairs, and volleyball courts. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
*Service canines are exempt from the prohibition on dogs, emotional support animals are not. Find detailed information on service categorizations here. This regulation applies throughout all California beaches.
Redondo Beach
A great option for groups or families looking to stay in Redondo Beach.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: $2/hour in nearby parking structure at Redondo Beach Pier | 🐕 Dogs: Not permitted | 🛎️ Highest Rated Nearby Hotel: Redondo Beach Hotel
Redondo County Beach is a big crowd pleaser. With over a mile of south bay beach, ample parking, and plenty of options for food & entertainment, this makes for an ideal choice for families or groups.
The horseshoe-shaped pier houses a large collection of charming shops and tantalizing seafood eateries. Marvin Braude Bike Trail is a 22-mile stretch of paved path for walking and cycling. Commonly known as `the strand,` this path starts in Redondo and runs to Will Rogers State Beach in Santa Monica.
North of the pier, Redondo Breakwater is among Los Angeles` few locations ideal for large ocean wave surfing. It is superb for experienced surfers, though beginners would benefit more going north of Herondo Street, closer to Hermosa City Beach. Surf south of the pier is also great for swimming, surfing and using wind powered boards.
Facilities here include restrooms, showers, beach wheelchairs, and beach volleyball. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
🌊 Pro Tip: Redondo Beach is near a large storm drain, which can affect water quality. Current advisories for all Los Angeles County beaches can be found here.
Hermosa Beach
Immerse yourself in classic California beach culture at Hermosa Beach.
📍 The Google Maps page and website provide location details. Paid parking lots range from $1.25 to $1.50 per hour. Leashed dogs are permitted only along the marked Strand path. A highly rated nearby lodging option is the Grandview Inn
A preferred place among the coastal cities, Hermosa Beach embodies the California surfing culture well. It has excellent waves and nice swimming areas.
The pier provides a tranquil, picturesque setting ideal for a scenic stroll, and is striking at dusk. Below, Pier Avenue is lined with unpretentious eateries and lively bars offering live music. Kitschy shops sell beach- and surf-themed memorabilia.
Thirsty? Several cafes on Pier Avenue offer brunch menus featuring unlimited mimosas or bloody marys. Hermosa becomes crowded in the summer season and most weekends. Arriving early is essential.
Amenities here include restrooms, showers, a concession stand, beach wheelchairs, a playground, volleyball nets, and a bike path. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
Manhattan Beach
Relax in the warm waters and peaceful atmosphere at Manhattan Beach.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: Self-pay lots, limited street parking | 🐕 Dogs: Leashed canines on Strand walkway only, no dogs on beach or pier | 🛎️ Best Nearby Hotel: Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is another beach that is popular among local residents. It has the warmest ocean temperatures and sees fewer tourists than beaches closer to central LA. Common activities include swimming, surfing, and using wind-powered boards on the water. The annual beach volleyball tournament attracts a sizable crowd.
Homes facing the beachline the promenade while a quaint, free aquarium is the only structure on the 900-foot pier. Eateries and boutiques, about two blocks away, are mostly geared toward up-market local tastes.
Bruce’s Beach is a small section of Manhattan Beach with substantial significance in African-American history. Visitors can learn somewhat about the locale from a monument in the park.
Amenities include restrooms, showers, a concession stand, an access mat & ramp, beach wheelchairs, volleyball courts, and a bike path. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
📚 Related Read: Proximity to LAX makes Manhattan Beach excellent for a prolonged layover. Check out my guide to staying in Los Angeles for additional information on locations to reside in LA and other helpful tips.
El Porto Beach
One of the top surfing spots in the Manhattan Beach area.
📍 Google Maps location | Beach website | 🅿️ Paid parking lot | 🐕 Dogs not permitted | 🛎️ Nearby hotel recommendation: The Belamar Hotel
Interested in riding the waves in California? Few beaches are more popular than El Porto for surfing. When the tides are gentle elsewhere, El Porto is your best option.
Be aware that the surf is too rough for swimming, and large crowds form when waves are high. However, the beach tends to be quite tranquil, largely due to a gigantic oil refinery immediately to its north.
Facilities here include restrooms and volleyball. Lifeguards are on duty during daytime hours.
Dockweiler Beach
An enormous shoreline with campfires in El Segundo.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: Self-pay public lot with 1,200 spaces | 🐕 Dogs: Leashed dogs allowed on the walkway and in RV park only | 🛎️ Best Nearby Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites LAX El Segundo
Dockweiler Beach is excellent for a classic beach day spent. It’s an enormous beach with ample parking and facilities. There’s lots of space to enjoy beach sports like frisbee or volleyball, which can be more difficult on smaller or busier beaches.
Dockweiler is the only Los Angeles beach permitting hang gliding. Additional activities include swimming, diving, and surfing. Shore fishing is popular, but the best fishing spots there are on jetties at the north end of the beach.
Fire pits are the most popular feature for locals at Dockweiler Beach. Access is based on arriving first, so secure your spot before nightfall. Nearby convenience and grocery stores typically stock firewood and other necessities.
Facilities include beach access matting, beach wheelchairs, a bicycle path, fire pits, a concession stand, restrooms, picnic tables, an RV park, showers, volleyball nets, and a youth center. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
🚐 Living the van life? There are two seaside RV parks in the Los Angeles area, Dockweiler and Malibu RV Park.
Playa del Rey Beach
An affordable beach located in Playa del Rey, convenient for those watching their budget.
📍 Accessible via Google Maps and the official website, parking is constrained to nearby streets with fees or lots approximately two to three blocks away from the shoreline. Leashed canines are solely permitted on the walkway, not the beach or pier. The Hampton Inn & Suites LAX El Segundo is among the finest lodgings nearby.
Playa del Rey Beach has a small-town feel. It`s near Loyola Marymount University, making it popular with students. This area tends to have lower costs than neighboring areas, so it represents a affordable beach option for persons visiting Los Angeles on a tight budget.
Traveling by vehicle? Save yourself hassle by eating prior to beach time and using the restaurant’s car service.
It is prudent to be cognizant that Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey, and Dockweiler Beach lie beneath the LAX flight route. For some, the racket of airplanes overhead can be bothersome.
Commodities here include a playground, restrooms, showers, volleyball & basketball courts, and a bike path. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
Mother’s Beach
An exceptional beach in Marina del Rey if you have small kids in tow.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood site | School Districts: Los Angeles Unified School District | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Beverly Laurel Hotel
Also known as Marina Beach, Mother’s Beach is a small, man-made coast in Marina del Rey. Families with young children appreciate the beach’s somewhat enclosed area and large playground.
The water here is calm without waves. It’s acceptable for less sure swimmers, yet as it straightforwardly fringes the marina, the water isn’t remarkably perfect.
Amenities here involve an accessibility ramp to the water, barbecue grills, restrooms, showers, beach access mat & ramp, beach wheelchairs, volleyball nets, and a bike trail. Lifesavers are on obligation during daytime hours.
While there is no on-site snack bar, the popular Cheesecake Factory restaurant is just a brief walk away.
Venice Beach
A bohemian beach with a lively boardwalk in the Venice Beach neighborhood.
Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: Self-pay public lots, $1-2 p/hr or $5-15 p/day; private paid lots, $20 & up | 🐕 Dogs: Leashed dogs on the boardwalk only, no dogs allowed on weekends or holidays between Memorial Day – Labor Day | 🛎️ Best Nearby Hotel: Venice V Hotel
Venice Beach is a fan favorite among the best beaches in Los Angeles, which also makes it one of the most popular districts in Los Angeles. Despite its popularity, Venice Beach is markedly less busy on weekdays.
Venice is most renowned for its lively boardwalk. The area is also notable for its sand and seaside attractions. Bohemian vibes enhance the joyful atmosphere.
Just about anything you want can be found within walking distance of Venice City Beach. There are shops, restaurants, and equipment rentals in abundance. Workout gear, a skatepark, basketball, tennis, and handball courts offer a range of sports options.
Fishing, playgrounds, restrooms, showers, and courts for volleyball, basketball, tennis and handball alongside bike paths are accessible at Venice Pier where lifeguards oversee daylight hours.
Santa Monica State Beach
A super popular beach and pier in Santa Monica.
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Santa Monica Beach is the most popular beach in LA, and with 3.5 miles of coastline, it’s the largest beach on Santa Monica Bay. Whether you want to splash in gentle waves, relax sunbathing, or enjoy an action-filled amusement park, there are many exciting things to do in Santa Monica.
Santa Monica Pier is an enjoyable, family-friendly attraction with shops and restaurants galore. Pacific Park is where you’ll find the famous Ferris wheel, as well as other rides and carnival games.
Stretching from Will Rogers State Beach to Venice Beach, Santa Monica State Beach encompasses the main oceanfront access. The northern sections are peaceful, unspoiled expanses of white sand. Areas near Santa Monica Pier get very crowded, especially in summer.
Amenities at this location incorporate beach wheelchairs, a bike path, concession stands, restrooms, picnic tables, showers, and volleyball courts. Lifeguards are on duty throughout daylight hours.
🏋 Enjoy fitness activities? Renowned as the authentic site of muscle beach, Santa Monica Beach provides sports equipment like rings, parallel bars and balance beams just south of the pier.
Will Rogers State Beach
A peaceful beach scene in Santa Monica.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: Public lots, $4-15 | 🐕 Dogs: Not permitted | 🛎️ Excellent Nearby Hotel: Channel Road Inn
Will Rogers State Beach can be found north of Santa Monica on Pacific Coast Highway. Positioned between cities rather than adjoining them, the area is peaceful and uncomplicated.
Like most California state beaches, Will Rogers is divided into smaller areas. The three coastlines here are Pacific Palisades, Sunset, and Castle Rock.
Between sunset and Castle Rock, you’ll find Gladstones, an upmarket seafood restaurant with fantastic beverages and an Pacific Ocean vista.
Conveniences here incorporate beach wheelchairs, bike way admittance, washrooms, feast tables, and showers. Guardians are on obligation during daytime hours.
🚗 Getting There: Rideshares can be pricey and less available anywhere north of Santa Monica. From here on out, the beaches in this guide are best visited by automobile. Consider Discover Cars for great LA rental deals.
Topanga Beach
A small cove beach known for large waves in Topanga.
📍 The Google Maps page and website provide location details for Topanga Beach | 🅿️ Paid parking is available in a metered lot | 🐕 Dogs are not allowed on the beach | 🛎️ A good nearby hotel option is the Topanga Canyon Inn Bed and Breakfast
Generally, locations prefixed with `Topanga` in LA exude cool, laidback vibes and fun, exemplified by Topanga Beach – a palm-lined mile of sand featuring powerful waves amidst its cove setting.
However, those waves crash over cobblestones and a reef, so this is not an ideal spot for swimming. Surfers enjoy it here and it’s also good for scuba diving.
My preferred thing to pair with Topanga Beach is a visit to the Getty Villa, just one mile south on Pacific Coast Highway. It’s a top Los Angeles museum and one of LA’s best attractions.
Facilities at Topanga include beach wheelchairs, an access mat, restrooms, and showers. Lifeguards are on responsibility during daylight hours.
Las Tunas Beach
A popular locale for fishing and scuba diving near Malibu.
📍 Google Maps location tool | Website page | 🅿️ Parking: Only allowed on the street, read signs carefully |🐕 Dogs: Not permitted | 🛎️ Best Nearby Hotel: The M Malibu
The southernmost shoreline in Malibu, Las Tunas has easier access than other beaches in the area. It borders the Pacific Coast Highway, and this narrow strip of sand and rocks is frequented chiefly for fishing and scuba diving.
The picturesque scenery is lovely for beach walking. Facilities here include portable toilets. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
Carbon Beach
A quiet beach in an affluent Malibu neighborhood.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: street – read signs, do not block driveways | 🐕 Dogs: Not allowed | 🛎️ Best Nearby Hotel: Malibu Beach Inn
Carbon and La Costa are slightly less crowded beaches – they’re both beautiful, but tricky to access. You’ll need to find a coastal access sign such as the one depicted above.
Known as “Millionaire`s Beach,” homes here are highly sought after. Residents know the entire waterfront is public access, but they do own the beach area in front of their homes. Many are fenced off, but it’s best to relax right up against the water or at the end of the beach not bordered by homes.
There are no amenities here.
👉 Pro Tip: Visitors seeking to sample the luxurious atmosphere of Carbon Beach can enjoy the Carbon Beach Club located at the Malibu Beach Inn. Its terrace extends directly above the Pacific Ocean`s waters. Evening meals beside the fireside are also provided, with a complimentary blanket to keep warm on cooler nights.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach (aka Surfrider)
A Malibu coastline with ecological and historical importance.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: Self-pay lot | 🐕 Dogs: Leashed dogs allowed in the parking lot and on the path near the parking lot only | 🛎️ Best Nearby Hotel: The Surfrider Malibu
Situated where Malibu Creek meets the ocean, Malibu Lagoon State Beach holds historical and environmental importance. Signs along the wooden walking paths educate visitors about the unique species calling this lagoon home.
From March through July, grunion swarm Malibu Lagoon State Beach by the thousands for breeding. The phenomena happens twice monthly for four successive nights, starting on evenings of a full or new moon.
Surfrider Beach extends from the Malibu pier to the tip of the lagoon. The large waves and cool waters are most popular with, as you may have guessed, surfers.
The Adamson House is a California Historical Landmark overlooking the lagoon and Malibu Surfrider Beach. Next door, the Malibu Lagoon Museum guides visitors through the history of the local area.
Facilities here include portable toilets. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
Dan Blocker Beach
An excellent spot in Malibu to watch the sunset.
📍 Google Maps Location | Website Info | 🅿️ Paid Lot, Street Parking | 🐕 Dogs Not Allowed | 🛎️ Nearby Hotel: Calamigos Guest Ranch & Beach Club
Dan Blocker Beach lies next to Corral State Beach, and this California coastline is spectacular at sunset. More northerly points lose the light earlier, but onlookers will get a magnificent vantage for watching the sun backlight Point Dume as it sinks into the horizon.
Dan Blocker Beach features sand that is less rocky than other parts of Malibu, rendering these coasts suitable for swimmers. One must exercise care when surfing – it was here that Patrick Swayze fractured four ribs during the filming of Point Break.
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Facilities here include restrooms, picnic tables, and a viewing area with benches.
Paradise Cove Beach
The ideal location to unwind and grab a beachside drink in Malibu.
The Relais Christine,J.K. Place, and Saint James Paris, along with the Grand Powers, are highly regarded lodging properties
For me, few indulgences compare to spending a day lounging on umbrella-shaded beach recliners with a chilled tropical beverage in hand. If that sounds like paradise to you as well, make a beeline straight for Paradise Cove beach.
The family-run Paradise Cove Beach Café serves generous portions of delicious food at tables directly on the sand. Beach chairs & sunbeds can be rented at the adjacent club, also owned by the same family. The club serves a smaller menu of food and all the same tasty drinks.
Beyond the club and restaurant, visitors can wade in some of Malibu’s warmer waters and explore tidal pools.
Facilities here include public restrooms and showers provided by the cafe. A lifeguard remains on duty during the cafe’s open hours.
👉 Pro Tip: You can visit this lovely beach without the steep cost. Simply park along PCH and walk down through the parking area.
Point Dume State Beach
A shoreline at a beach in Malibu.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: Self-pay lot | 🐕 Dogs: Not allowed | 🛎️ Best Nearby Hotel: Hotel June
Soaring cliffs and rugged coastline are prominent features of Point Dume. The farthest point west in LA county, this locale offers incredible panoramic perspectives of our world-renowned ocean. On a clear day, you can even spot Catalina Island.
Grey whales are often spotted from Point Dume during their spring migration, roughly December through March.
Heading west lies the primary shoreline, bordering Zuma Beach to the north. Skilled hikers can venture to secluded Pirates’ Cove, around the point. This tiny beach is famously featured in the Planet of the Apes (1968) as the location where the Statue of Liberty lies half-buried in sand.
Big Dume Beach and the associated tide pools are accessible via steps. Amenities here include picnic areas, restrooms, and outdoor showers. Lifeguards are present during daytime hours only at Westward Beach.
Zuma Beach
A wonderful beach for swimming exists in Malibu.
📍 Map Site | Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Pay lot, 2,000 spaces | 🐕 Dogs: Not allowed | 🛎️ Nearby Accommodation: Ocean View Villa
Although it’s a distance from the city, Zuma Beach County Park stays a local favorite among LA beaches. With miles of sandy beach and plentiful parking right next to the sand, it’s a perfect choice for families or groups.
In summer, Zuma warms enough to swim comfortably. It’s one of the best beaches to enjoy windsurfing.
Amenities here include beach wheelchairs, an access mat (Apr-Oct,) a concession stand, picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and volleyball courts. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
El Matador Beach
A beach containing archways and sea openings in Malibu.
📍 Online map | Site | 🅿️ Parking: Self-pay lots | 🐕 Dogs: Not allowed | 🛎️ Best Nearby Stay: Sebastian by AvantStay
El Matador is the primary beach of the three beaches located within Meyer Memorial State Beach. Countless eras of erosion have developed archways and sea caves that make for amazing photographs. This dramatic backdrop is a favorite location of swimsuit models and social media influencers.
La Pierda and El Pescador are lovely areas for a romantic stroll. Each has a small parking lot.
Amenities here include porta-potties.
👉 Pro Tip: At low tide, you can walk west of El Pescador to El Sol Beach, normally inaccessible from the road. Those braving the rocks are rewarded with serene solitude.
Nicholas Canyon County Beach
One of the finest surfing spots in Malibu.
The area of Twelve South and East Nashville contain the highest number of easily accessible murals, however art can be found across the entire city. For those seeking an extravagant experience, this guided experience will take visitors to several stunning murals around town to ensure capturing memorable photographs for sharing online.
Known by surfers as `Zeros,` Nicholas Canyon County Beach is best known for having a perfect point break wave. Sandwiched between cliffs, this stair-accessed strip is clean and uncrowded.
Long before becoming Malibu, this area of California was profoundly significant to the Chumash tribe. Wishtoyo Foundation’s Chumash Village offers insight into this integral cultural heritage.
I recommend bringing a kite for fun. Winds pick up here, perfect for high-flying play. Amenities include picnic tables, restrooms, and lifeguard-monitored showers.
Leo Carrillo State Park
A beach perfectly suited for windsurfing in Malibu.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🅿️ Parking: Paid lot, $3 per hour, $12 per day | 🐕 Dogs: Allowed everywhere except off-trail areas and South Beach | 🛎️ Best Nearby Accommodation: Stunning Malibu Beach Front Home
North of other LA beaches, Leo Carrillo features wildlife like tide pools, caves, and dive and snorkel spots.
The water here is great for windsurfing, adequate for surfing, and alright for swimming if you’re willing to brave the chill and some rocks. The North Beach shore incorporates more rock than sand.
On the eastern side of Pacific Coast Highway lies a sycamore-shaded campground, wonderful for those preferring a tent over a hotel room. Campers hoping for fresh fish dinner can attempt surf fishing for perch and corbina.
Amenities here include picnic tables, restrooms, and showers. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours.
👉 Don’t Forget to Pack: A picnic. No restaurants are nearby, so fill a portable cooler with snacks from a local market.
FAQs about Beaches in Los Angeles
Are any LA beaches open?
Yes, all Los Angeles Beaches are accessible, though check each beach’s website before visiting to understand whether or not a lifeguard is on duty.
What is the prettiest beach in Los Angeles?
The most scenic beach in Los Angeles is Santa Monica State Beach.
What is the popular beach in Los Angeles?
The most popular beach in Los Angeles is Santa Monica State Beach.
What beaches can you swim in Los Angeles?
You can swim at nearly all beaches in Los Angeles. Santa Monica Beach,Mother’s Beach,Rat Beach, and Abalone Cove Shoreline Park are especially popular.
What is the safest beach in Los Angeles?
The safest beach in Los Angeles is Will Rogers State Beach.
⛱️ Also see: 23 Prime Beaches in San Diego
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Thank you for reading my list of the top beaches in Los Angeles! With such a variety to choose from, you`re sure to find the perfect spot for your trip.
For additional superb beaches in the area, check out this thorough list of the premium beaches along Southern California!
