Discover the Best Beaches in Los Angeles

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Amazon
• Pinterest

I lived in Redondo Beach for a few years right after college, and I still remember how surprised I was by the Los Angeles beaches. I grew up going to the beaches in San Diego, which I love dearly, but LA beaches felt different. They were wider. Longer. Endless. Instead of cozy coves, these beaches just stretched on forever, backed by bike paths, volleyball courts, and rows of pastel lifeguard towers.

Some of my favorite weekends were spent with my boyfriend (now husband) on our beach cruisers, riding the strand from Redondo Beach up through Hermosa and Manhattan Beach. We’d stop for coffee, grab fish tacos, people-watch, and somehow make a full day out of doing almost nothing at all. It was simple, sunny, and very LA. And now it’s even easier to do with the convenient e-bike rentals available.

We still try to bring the kids up to visit friends and give them a little taste of the Los Angeles beaches whenever we get a chance. While I never miss the LA traffic, I love recreating those perfect beach days.

If you’re planning a trip or just want to explore more of the coastline, here are some of the best beaches in Los Angeles, each with its own vibe and reasons to visit. And make sure you check out these amazing family hotels in Los Angeles, along with this list of the best things to do in L.A.

Redondo Beach – One of the best beaches for families in Los Angeles

Vibe: Relaxed, local, family-friendly

Redondo will always have my heart. It feels a little quieter and less flashy than some neighboring beaches, which makes it great for families. The Redondo Beach Pier is fun to explore, especially if you want an easy lunch with ocean views or a casual walk at sunset. There are tons of restaurants to choose from and shops to explore.

Parking is usually pretty easy at this beach. You can park in the parking garage at the pier, or you can grab a spot on the street.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, you can also access the Seaside Lagoon for a fee ($10 adults and $8 kids is the weekend rate). The Seaside Lagoon is a saltwater lagoon that has waterslides and picnic areas, perfect for younger kids who might not love playing in the waves. You can also rent kayaks, rent stand-up paddleboards, book a surf lesson, or even kayak with sea lions in Redondo Beach.

Hermosa Beach

Vibe: Energetic, social, classic beach town

Hermosa Beach is one of my personal favorites. It has a lively feel without being overwhelming. Volleyball courts line the sand, surfers are usually out, and the pier area always has something going on. It’s great for a long beach day that ends with dinner nearby, or makes for a fun spot to stop at for a couple hours while biking up the coast.

The Hermosa Beach Pier is a great place to grab a cocktail and some food. It definitely has a lively vibe there, and is popular with the young-adult crowd.

Manhattan Beach – One of the most bougie beaches in Los Angeles

Vibe: Polished, upscale, trendy

Manhattan Beach feels a little more “put together,” with its beautiful pier, boutique shopping, and wide sandy beach. It’s one of those places that looks exactly like the postcards—and somehow lives up to it. While Hermosa Beach draws the younger party crowd, Manhattan Beach has a more sophisticated of a vibe. It’s a great spot to take the kids.

Santa Monica Beach – One of the most iconic beaches in Los Anglees

Vibe: Bustling, touristy, iconic LA

Follow Route 66 all the way west until it ends, and you’ll find yourself at one of the most recognizable beaches in Los Angeles. The wide beach, bike paths, and famous pier make Santa Monica Beach a classic stop—especially if it’s your first time in LA. Plus, it’s one of the best beaches in California.

There’s plenty to do at the Santa Monica Pier. You’ll find rides, an arcade, surf schools and even an aquarium. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and ice cream shops nearby to choose from. Shopping at the Third Street Promenade is also a must-do when visiting Santa Monica.

I put Santa Monica on my list of best Memorial Day Weekend vacation ideas as well, since it’s beach meets amusement park. Plus, they do a beautiful memorial there every year.

Venice Beach

Vibe: Eclectic, artsy, entertaining

A couple of miles south of Santa Monica Beach is where you’ll find the famous Venice Beach. Venice Beach is unlike anywhere else. It’s colorful, quirky, and always interesting. Street performers, murals, skateboarders, and muscle beach—it’s all happening here.

But this beach doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to being family friendly. I once jogged along the path there and made the joke that I instantly got contact high. You can usually smell weed in the air, and there are lots of people trying to make a buck by performing. People also complain that it’s a dirty beach, and there are usually high numbers of homeless people hanging about. That being said, it’s an iconic beach and could be worth a short visit during daytime just to check it out.

Zuma Beach (Malibu)

Vibe: Wide-open, classic Malibu, great for families

Zuma Beach is one of those beaches that makes you exhale the moment you arrive. It’s huge, uncrowded compared to other Malibu spots, and feels wonderfully straightforward, in a good way. You’ll find amenities like large parking lots, lifeguard towers, and bathrooms. And it’s usually a good spot for beginner surfers and boogie-boarders.

This is the beach you go to when you want plenty of space to spread out, toss a football, build sandcastles, or just stare at the ocean for a while. You may even catch sights of gray whales migrating in the winter.

Surfrider Beach (Malibu) – One of the best surfing beaches in Los Angeles

Vibe: Laid-back, surf culture, old-school

Surfrider Beach feels like old-school California surf culture in the best possible way. It’s easy to see why it’s a favorite for surfers. Located right by the Malibu Pier, it’s known around the world for its long, peeling waves and relaxed, no-frills atmosphere. Even if you’re not surfing, it’s a great place to watch surfers in action and soak up the history of the area.

At Surfrider Beach, you’re steps away from casual Malibu favorites near the pier, making this a great beach if you want an easy meal after some time in the sand. And, like Zuma Beach, this one has large parking lots and bathrooms.

Lunada Bay Beach (Palos Verdes)

Vibe: Rugged, scenic, local favorite

Lunada Bay feels like a hidden gem, especially compared to the long, wide stretches of sand LA is known for. It’s rockier and more dramatic, perched along the cliffs of Palos Verdes, and it feels worlds away from the busier beaches just up the coast. But it’s a popular spot for locals and for more advanced surfers. The waves can get really big here, especially in the winter.

During low tide, this beach has some of the best tidepools. You can also check out the rusty remains of the shipwrecked 1960s Dominator or enjoy views of Catalina Island.

Lunada Bay has street parking only.

Point Fermin Beach Park (San Pedro)

Vibe: Underrated, peaceful, coastal park vibes

Point Fermin is one of those beaches people tend to overlook, which is exactly why it’s so great. It’s smaller and tucked below dramatic cliffs, with grassy park areas above that are perfect for picnics. There’s also a lighthouse and walking paths through the park. The beach below isn’t a sandy one like most of the others on this list, but it’s a good spot to find tide pools or do some beachcombing.

Point Dume (Malibu)

Vibe: Iconic, scenic, adventurous

Point Dume is one of the most beautiful spots along the Malibu coastline. With its dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and wide sandy beach, it feels like classic California at its best. This is a favorite of the Los Angeles beaches for photographers, hikers, and families who want a little adventure mixed in with their beach day. Exploring the coves at low tide is a favorite.

There are hundreds of parking spots at this beach, long with restrooms and showers, making it easy on families.

And, like Zuma Beach, this is also a spot that you might be able to catch views of gray whales migrating during the winter.

Leo Carrillo State Beach (Malibu)

Vibe: Natural, family-friendly, adventurous

Leo Carrillo is one of my favorite Malibu beaches, especially with kids. And it’s one of our favorite Malibu campgrounds, which makes it even better. In fact, And, this is one of the only Los Angeles beaches with a campground!

There are sea caves, tide pools, and rocky areas to explore, which makes it feel more like an adventure than just a place to lay out a towel. Not only is it one of my favorite beach campgrounds in Southern California, it’s also one of my favorite campgrounds for a fall camping trip.

Click to read my complete guide on this campground.

Why LA Beaches Are Worth Exploring

What I love most about Los Angeles beaches is how different each one feels, even though they’re all connected by the same stretch of coastline. You can bike for miles, beach-hop in a single day, or settle into one spot and let the hours pass by.

Whether you’re revisiting old memories like I am or experiencing them for the first time with kids in tow, LA beaches have a way of making you slow down, soak it in, and stay just a little longer than planned. And honestly? That’s kind of the whole point.

Note: Affiliate links on this page may earn me commission if used to make a purchase. This doesn’t cost you a penny extra, and it helps to keep my website up and running for free.