
SoCal weather is kind enough to allow us to fit in as many beach days, scenic hikes and outdoor adventures as possible. Pack up your sunnies, lather on the SPF and pack all the necessary goodies for a glorious day hanging by the Pacific. Without further ado: these are the top 12 best beaches in Los Angeles.
1. Manhattan Beach
We’re kicking off this list with the very lovable Manhattan Beach, a quintessential town that epitomizes the cool, laid-back culture of LA beach life. This is a favorite among locals and tourists alike, with a stretch of cute boutiques, cafes, pubs and more up-scale eateries just a block away from the beach itself. This beach has everything you need — volleyball nets, a spacious bike path, the cutest pier for the perfect photo op and soft, powdery sand that is kept pristine and trash-free.
🅿️ Paid parking lots and street parking
🛟 Lifeguards on-site
🚻 Bathrooms available
🚿 Showers available
🌮 Cafes and restaurants nearby
🏐 Volleyball nets available
🦽 Beach wheelchairs available
2. Leo Carrillo State Park
©2018, California State Parks. Photo by Brian Baer
With breathtaking tide pools, magical coastal caves, stunning reefs and nearby mountain hikes — Leo Carrillo State Park is a dream for adventurous souls. This 1.5 mile stretch of beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, fishing and also an iconic filming location. You can spend hours here climbing the rocky crags and exploring the hidden caves before taking some time to rest under the giant sycamore trees that offer shade on the beach’s campground. It’s no wonder Leo Carrillo State Park is considered one of the best beaches in Los Angeles.
🅿️ Parking $3.00 per hour / $12.00 per day
🛟 Summer lifeguards on-site
🚻 Bathrooms available
🦽 Beach wheelchairs available
3. Point Dume State Beach
This idyllic Malibu cove lies at the foot of a rocky cliff, attracting both beachgoers and rock climbers alike. The water at Point Dume tends to be some of the clearest ocean water in Los Angeles, making it a prime scuba location. It’s also become a go-to spot to watch California gray whales as they migrate between December to mid April. Fair warning: summer weekends tend to fill up quick (the beach itself is relatively small compared to the others on the list), so it’s best to claim your spot early or visit on a weekday.
🅿️ Parking $0.50 per 15 minutes up to 90 minutes
🚻 Bathrooms available
🚿 Showers available
🌮 Cafes and restaurants nearby
🚫 Not wheelchair accessible
4. El Matador State Beach
El Matador Beach boasts some of the most beautiful rock formations out of any beach in Southern California, making it a popular spot for nature photographers and those seeking the perfect Little Mermaid shot. This is a great place to explore various coves, caves and tide pools. Our tip is to visit during low tide, as swimming can be dangerous during high tide and many of the most stunning rock formations are only fully visible during low tide. Also note: this secluded beach is only accessible via a steep staircase that’s not the most accessible for disabled folks.
🅿️ Parking $3 per hour, $10 all day (free if you show your library card!)
🚻 Porta-potties available
🚫 Not wheelchair accessible
5. Zuma Beach
Zuma Beach is one of the most beloved beaches in Malibu for good reason. With 1.8 miles of pristine, powdery soft sand and cerulean blue water, this classic SoCal beach embodies the California dream to a tee. There’s ample parking, yummy food stands and other great amenities including restrooms, showers, volleyball nets and beach wheelchairs. And if the ocean gods bless you, you’ll be lucky enough to see dolphins, sea lions or majestic grey whales making their migration. The only drawback of Zuma Beach is that the water is supposedly a tad colder than other beaches, but the amazing views and good vibes make up for it. This is also an amazing spot both for surfing and kitesurfing.
🅿️ Parking $0.50 per 15 minutes up to 90 minutes
🛟 Lifeguards on-site
🚻 Bathrooms available
🌮 Food stands nearby
🏐 Volleyball nets available
🦽 Beach wheelchairs available
6. Victoria Beach
If you’re willing to drive a bit farther out for an extra charming beach, Victoria Beach should be your destination. Located in the city of Laguna Beach, this gorgeous white sand beach looks straight out of a storybook with the famed 60-foot “pirate tower” that was built in 1926. Although you’re unable to actually enter the tower, it makes for magical photos during golden hour. The beach itself is perfect for swimming, skim boarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and playing volleyball. Mark Victoria Beach as a must visit this summer.
🅿️ Free and metered parking along the PCH
🏐 Volleyball nets available
7. Surfrider Beach
Another Malibu gem, Surfrider Beach perfectly encapsulates the cinematic surf culture of Southern California. As you could guess, it’s a go-to spot for surfing due to its super long right hand break (for the surfers among us). But if you’re there to just swim and sunbathe, you won’t be disappointed — there are designated swimming areas so you don’t have to worry about accidentally swimming into a swarm of surfers. There’s also a sand volleyball court, a restaurant on the pier and a cute ice cream vendor in case you need a little something sweet to cool you off. Surfrider Beach always gets our vote for one of the best beaches in Los Angeles.
🅿️ Paid parking lot and free street parking
🛟 Lifeguards on-site
🚻 Bathrooms available
🚿 Showers available
🏐 Volleyball nets available
8. Will Rogers State Beach
With over a mile of sandy shoreline, Will Rogers State Beach is a great place to visit that is often less crowded than its neighboring beaches in Malibu and Santa Monica. It’s lined with volleyball courts, gymnastic equipment, a bike path and a walkway that’s perfect for rollerblading (and less crazed than the boardwalk in Santa Monica). The section near life guard station 18 has also been affectionately called “Ginger Rogers” among the gay community and is considered the unofficial gay beach of Los Angeles.
🅿️ Parking $4 – $9 during winter and $4 – $15 during summer
🛟 Lifeguards on-site
🚻 Bathrooms available
🌮 Food stands nearby
🚿 Showers available
🏐 Volleyball nets available
🦽 Beach wheelchairs available
9. Huntington City Beach
Don’t be fooled by the crowded photo — there’s a reason why so many flock to this glorious beach. This is the true Surf City USA, with immaculate weather and highly sought-after waves. But beyond surfing, Huntington City Beach is a great place to hangout, swim and even and even experiencing the glow of bioluminescent waves firsthand.
The sand is soft, the water is clean and there’s plenty of restaurants nearby if you want to take a break from the sun with some good eats. A word of caution: this beach is prone to powerful rip currents, so be sure to listen to the life guards’ warnings and only swim when conditions are safe.
🅿️ Parking $2.00 per hour / $15.00 per day
🛟 Lifeguards on-site
🚻 Bathrooms available
🚿 Showers available
🏐 Volleyball nets available
🔥 Bonfire pits available
🏄🏾♀️🚴🏼♀️ Surfboard and bicycle rentals
10. Santa Monica State Beach
Chances are that Santa Monica was one of the first places that popped in your mind when thinking about the best beaches in Los Angeles — no beach list could be complete without this very obvious inclusion. While it may not be our first choice due to the crowds, it’s still a fan favorite for all the right reasons. It’s got the iconic pier! It’s got the ferris wheel! It’s got tasty food (albeit egregiously priced)! It truly has everything you need for a picturesque, straight-outta-the-movies beach day in LA.
🅿️ Paid parking $6-$15
🛟 Lifeguards on-site
🚻 Bathrooms available
🚿 Showers available
🌮 Food stands nearby
🏐 Volleyball nets available
🏄🏾♀️ Paddleboard and boogie board rentals
11. Venice Beach
Similar to its sister beach Santa Monica, Venice Beach is a must-visit (at least once in your life) for both native Angelenos and tourists. The beach is undoubtedly popular, so we generally recommend going to Venice during the weekdays to beat the weekend crowds. If people watching is your thing — Venice is your mecca. You can spend hours strolling along the boardwalk while taking in all the fascinating characters along the way. But if you’re headed to the beach for some peace and quiet, you’d be better off at the lesser known spots on this list.
🅿️ Paid parking lots available
🛟 Lifeguards on-site
🚻 Bathrooms available
🚿 Showers available
🌮 Food stands nearby
🏐🏀🎾🛹🏋🏾♀️ Volleyball nets, basketball courts, tennis courts, skatepark and gym equipment available🦽 Beach wheelchairs available
12. Dockweiler State Beach
Last but not least, Dockweiler State Beach next to LAX is one the most accessible, easiest beaches to visit. There’s parking aplenty, 3 miles of shoreline and bonfire pits that make for the perfect summer nights. Take advantage of the later midnight curfew at Dockweiler (most beaches close much earlier) and be sure to pack everything you need for a magical fireside kickback: blankets, wood, charcoal, fire-starter, lighter, BBQ supplies and s’mores goodies. Dockweiler has everything you need to bask in the beauty of the ocean from sunrise to well past sunset.
🅿️ Parking $7-$13 or free street parking
🛟 Lifeguards on-site
🚻 Bathrooms available
🏐 Volleyball nets available
🔥 Bonfire pits available
🦽 Beach wheelchairs available
13. Laguna’s Main Beach
Located at the heart of downtown Laguna Beach, Main Beach is typically teeming with activity throughout the summer. Despite the crowds, enthusiasts will find an array of amenities to enjoy, including volleyball and basketball courts, a boardwalk stretching the beach’s entirety, and a crucial playground for young ones. Moreover, the soft sand and gentle waters render Main Beach an ideal destination for cooling off with a refreshing swim amidst the summer heat.
🦽 Beach wheelchairs available
🚻 Bathrooms available
🛟 Lifeguards on-site
🅿️ Parking
🏄 Surf rentals
🏐 Volleyball nets available
🏀 Basketball courts available
14. Billionaire’s Beach
Also known as Carbon Beach, exudes an exclusive atmosphere even if it is a public beach. As you traverse behind the residences of the ultra-affluent, encountering only a handful of others, you’ll relish the seclusion that characterizes this extensive shoreline. The water, ideal for swimming, remains tranquil without any rocky obstacles, while the soft, inviting sand beckons for leisurely lounging.
🦽 Beach wheelchairs available
🚻 Bathrooms available
15. Paradise Cove Beach
Nestled beneath the cliffs of Malibu, this is one of the best best beaches in Los Angeles, with a charming spot with a mix of public and private amenities. Managed primarily by the Paradise Cove Beach Café, visitors can enjoy swimming or surfing for free. However, many opt to indulge in the luxurious offerings, such as renting private terraces, beach beds, and lounges. For those seeking a scenic beach walk, a stroll from Escondido to Paradise Cove is highly recommended, culminating in a well-deserved glass of rosé against the backdrop of a Malibu sunset.
🚻 Bathrooms available
🍔 Food and drinks available
🦽 Beach wheelchairs available
Edited by Sofía Delpueche.