If you travel to Los Angeles you will discover that every day is perfect to go to one of the best beaches in Los Angeles and enjoy them. Its tranquility, beauty and good weather make the Los Angeles coast a charming place. If you are a devotee of the coast and the sun , we warn you in advance that it will be difficult for you to leave .
Below, we invite you to read a list of Los Angeles beaches that we recommend visiting on your trip .
VENICE BEACH
This Los Angeles beach is better known for the street performances that one will find than for its waters and sands, since in the Venice Beach seafront promenade one can see any type of show worth knowing. In fact, some of the shows that you will find in Venice Beach have become icons of the city and some have ended up appearing on television programs around the world. Venice Beach is located south of Santa Monica.
The fame of this beach is due to the street shows that you can find on its promenade (Ocean Front Walk). In fact, some of the shows have become so famous that they have ended up on television shows all over the world.
Throughout its 2.5km walk , you will be able to find everything, and when we say everything, it means everything. On the west side of the road is where street vendors and artists are concentrated . In this area of Venice Beach you can see break-dance shows, jugglers, mimes etc… But if you are looking for a special and different souvenir , you will also find curious and extroverted handicrafts . In the eastern part , is where the shops are located: the famous t-shirt shops of Venice Beach, tattoo and piercing centers, skate and surf shops, sunglasses, vaporizers, beer and shoes. But this is not all, here you will also find a wide variety of restaurants, bars and cafeterias .
In summary, the beach and the boardwalk of Venice Beach have so much diversity that it has become a place where one can spend the whole day : in the morning sunbathing on the beach and in the afternoon shopping along its broadwalk.
SANTA MONICA BEACH
Located in the coastal city of Santa Monica, just 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica beach is the beach par excellence. Two distinctive features of this beach are the Santa Monica pier and the small amusement park that we have seen so many times in the movies.
The pier was built in 1909 and has been declared a National Historic Monument . The fishermen sit on it at sunset and in summer they usually give live concerts . This beach with a festive and vacation atmosphere is frequently visited by both tourists and LA residents. In addition, it is more than three kilometers long and is one of the largest beaches in Los Angeles . Here you will surely find a place to put the towel !
If you visit this area you will find parks, picnic areas and the famous Baywatch lifeguard posts . It is interesting to know that this beach marks the end point of the mythical “Route 66” that goes from Chicago to Los Angeles.
If you like to go by bike, in Santa Monica beach there is the Marvin Braude route , which runs 22 miles of entire beach (from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance). If you don’t have your own bike you can rent it in a lot of rental shops on the promenade .
This beach has all the necessary services for bathers , yes, if you go by car keep in mind that almost all parking lots are paid . It is a perfect beach for both families and friends .
If you want to visit Santa Monica beach by public transportation, you can use the light blue subway line that will take you from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. The trip takes approximately one hour.
MANHATTAN BEACH
Manhattan Beach is one of the best beaches in Los Angeles and everything there is just beautiful. There are beautiful people, spotless cars, sky-high heels, and little Chihuahuas with diamond bracelets. This particular area is situated close to the shore and popular TV shows have already been filmed here.
In Manhattan Beach, it is typical to practice beach sports such as volleyball, surfing (in the southern part of the pier) and boogie boarding (in the northern part). Of course, it is totally prohibited to swim in areas close to the pier.
From Downtown Los Angeles to Manhattan Beach it takes about 40 minutes by car and about an hour by public transportation .
LONG BEACH
Long Beach is a pleasant beach that offers the public all the necessary services . Unlike the beaches in LA , this one is not usually as crowded . Legend has it that surfing became popular on the West Coast thanks to Long Beach. In any case, it is currently prohibited to practice this sport in Long Beach , since a breakwater has been put up to give more security to the ships of the US Navy. For this reason it is an ideal beach for families , since there is no danger of waves.
The drive from Los Angeles to Long Beach takes about half an hour, and about an hour by public transportation (the dark blue subway line will take you there).
CABRILLO BEACH
For all those who want to enjoy a whole day at the beach , Cabrillo Beach is one of the best options . In Cabrillo Beach you will find a very familiar atmosphere , since it is a quiet and pleasant place to walk and do various activities. Many tourists take the opportunity to visit the Cabrillo Maritime Aquarium , practice surfing in the part where the waves break or take a bath in the open part of the port.
If you go by car from Los Angeles to Cabrillo Beach it will take approximately 40 minutes, however, if you decide to use public transport , it can take an hour and a half.
THE STRAND
This urban beach located north of Manhattan Beach,, has an atmosphere every day of the week. At The Strand beach you can surf, fish, bike, play volleyball and a lot of other activities.
It must be said that The Strand is almost always packed with people, making it difficult to find a free parking area .
From downtown Los Angeles to The Strand Beach it takes approximately 40 minutes by car and an hour by public transportation.
HERMOSA BEACH
Hermosa Beach is located between Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, south of the city of Los Angeles . It is not only a good place to bathe and sunbathe, but it is also ideal for playing volleyball and strolling along its long seafront . For those who like to get around by bike or skates, there is also a paved path . This beach near Los Angeles is also a perfect place to go shopping in the coastal stores.
If you travel by car, the journey from the Downtown takes approximately one hour. By public transport the journey takes an hour and a half , since this beach is in the outskirts of Los Angeles.
PARADISE COVE
Paradise Cove Beach is quite close to Los Angeles and is located in Malibu . Its paradisiacal landscape makes this shore an ideal place for romantic getaways . In any case, it is a somewhat exclusive beach , since you have to pay an entrance fee to access it (it is a private beach). The price is around $9 and it has all kinds of services to spend a great day lying in the sun.
Paradise Cove is one of the most charming beaches in Southern California.
LEO CARRILLO STATE PARK
Stretching for more than a mile, Leo Carrillo State Park ‘s beach boasts sea caves and small pools . One of the virtues of this beach is that it preserves its natural beauty and at the same time is well equipped for the public . Located in Malibu , this area is named after an environmentalist who worked for the California Beach and Parks Commission for 18 years. Inside the park you can find grills and parking areas ($12) to spend a few days in the middle of nature . Besides, there is a tourist service office that offers guides and maps of the park’s trails, panoramic photos and camping programs. Ideal for family getaways . In addition, dogs are allowed , something quite unusual.
EL MATADOR BEACH
Located 10 miles northwest of Malibu, Matador Beach is the quintessential romantic beach . Its rocky coasts, the great waves and the translucent water make this shore a spectacular place to see the sunsets . Of course, you will have to go down a fairly steep path to reach this paradise , since it is a virgin landscape and no facility has been built, so there is no lifeguards . You have to watch the high tide and the presence of rocks. This beach is ideal to celebrate special dates or simply to nature lovers .
ZUMA BEACH
Zuma Beach is a long and wide beach in Malibu that is known for being a clean and quiet place . This site is ideal to spend a weekend or holidays to relax. In addition, here you can find all the necessary services: bathrooms, showers, lifeguards, bike lanes, volleyball courts, swings . Another point in favor of Zuma is that, apart from being very easy to find a car park , the area offers the possibility to park for free . Ideal for families, groups of friends and passionate about body surfing and boogie boarders.
THE FISHERMAN
This beach is located within the Robert H. Meyer State Beach and is the westernmost in the region. The main beach is a short drive from the parking lot , ideal if you’re traveling with kids and don’t want to take a long walk, and it’s located just off the Pacific Coast Highway. At the bottom of the cliff, there is a cave surrounded by impressive rocks and tide pools. Although El Pescador beach is not so wild , it is much calmer than the surrounding beaches. Here there are no restaurants or beach bars , so it is advisable to take a sandwich and snacks with you. As its name indicates, there are plenty of fish here, starfish, snails, sea urchins… And also the California brown pelican and double-crested cormorants!
ABALONE COVE SHORELINE PARK
A jewel located on the rugged coast of Palos Verde , it is famous for offering excellent views, good trails and its natural pools . The beach area has perfect places to spend the day and have a picnic . The path that runs along the beach and takes you to the Portuguese Point is its star attraction. The natural pools formed in the rocks of Abalone Cove beach (visit them at low tide ), are home to a variety of sea creatures such as small octopuses, anemones, hermit crabs and sea hares.
TOPANGA
Although it is very famous among surfers, Topanga beach can also be a paradise for all types of travelers: bathers, swimmers, divers, kayakers and even sailors with catamarans. It is a perfect beach where you can spend the day, also if you travel with children, since you will find a restaurant . There is also a fishing store across the street if you feel like fishing. Bordered by Will Rogers Beach to the east and Las Tunas to the west, the beach is open to the public as soon as the sun rises and closes when the lifeguards.
Enjoy great day in the sun and find your favorite beach from our list of best beaches in Los Angeles!