Best Beaches in Los Angeles: Sun, Surf & Sand
From iconic Venice Beach to the laid-back shores of Malibu, Los Angeles has some of California's most legendary coastline. Discover the best beaches the city has to offer.
Los AngelesWelcome to LA's Legendary Coastline
Los Angeles is as much a beach city as it is a movie city. The coastline runs for over 75 miles along the Pacific, and it covers just about every mood you could want from the ocean — lively boardwalks packed with street performers, quiet coves where the only sound is waves, and everything in between. Whether you're a dedicated surfer, a committed sunbather, or just someone who likes a long walk with a good view, this city delivers. Browse all our coastal picks at /destinations.
Venice Beach: Where Culture Meets the Coast
You can't come to LA and skip Venice Beach. It's loud, weird, and completely wonderful. The boardwalk alone is worth an afternoon — street artists, roller skaters, bodybuilders still pumping iron at the legendary Muscle Beach outdoor gym, all of it playing out against a wide sandy shore. It's great for volleyball or people-watching, or honestly just sitting there trying to take it all in. What surprises most first-timers is how calm it gets just a few blocks inland, where the Venice canals wind quietly through the neighborhood like a completely different city.
Santa Monica: The Classic Beach Town
Santa Monica Beach is probably the one image most people picture when they think of LA. The pier is the anchor of it all — that vintage carousel has been spinning since 1922, and the Pacific Park rides jutting out over the water are hard to resist. The beach itself is wide and well-kept, which makes it a natural fit for families, and the flat beachfront path draws joggers and cyclists from sunup to sundown. When you're done with the sand, Third Street Promenade is right there with restaurants and shops to fill out the rest of your day.
Malibu: Where Stars Go to Unwind
Malibu stretches about 27 miles up the coast from Santa Monica, and the further you go, the wilder and more cinematic it gets. Zuma Beach is the go-to for swimming and bodysurfing — it's big, reliable, and easy to spend a full day at. El Matador State Beach is something else entirely. The sea stacks, the hidden coves, the light in the late afternoon — it photographs beautifully, but it's even better in person. Surfers have been riding Surfrider Beach for decades, and it's still considered one of the defining breaks in California surf culture.
Manhattan & Hermosa Beach: South Bay Gems
Drop south of LAX and the vibe shifts. The South Bay has a different energy — a little more local, a little less tourist. Manhattan Beach has a genuinely lovely downtown, a pretty pier, and a volleyball scene that borders on religious devotion. The city has a legitimate claim to being where beach volleyball was born, and you'll see pickup games going most days of the week. Just next door, Hermosa Beach keeps things going after dark, with Pier Avenue turning into a lively strip of bars and restaurants once the sun goes down. The wide sandy strand is one of the best in LA for a bonfire night.
Plan Your LA Beach Trip
Late spring through early fall is the sweet spot — warm, clear, and reliably sunny. Summer weekends are a different story when it comes to parking, though. Lots fill up faster than you'd expect, so getting there early makes a real difference, or just skip the car entirely and take the Metro Expo Line straight into Santa Monica. However you plan to do it, LA's coastline has enough variety that no two beach days have to look the same. Find more destinations and travel ideas at /destinations.
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