The 10 Best Beaches in Los Angeles
Table of Contents
Los Angeles is one of the first American cities that come to mind when the beach is mentioned. It’s not unfair! Los Angeles has many beautiful local beaches, both south, and north.
Access to most of these beaches is very easy. You can reach many beaches here even without your vehicle. For this reason, Los Angeles is often preferred by beach lovers.
One of the biggest advantages of this place is that all beaches are public beaches. Here, the right to enter the beaches is protected by law and you can enter all the beaches for free. Only some parking fees can be charged. Some of the smaller beaches are preferable during lower tides when more sandy and tide pools are revealed.
Los Angeles offers something for vacationers of all types with its beautiful beaches. While some hit the bottom of the adventure on the beach, in others you can lie on the sun lounger in a quiet atmosphere and relieve the tiredness of the year.
The Best Beaches in Los Angeles
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the list of the best beaches in Los Angeles…
1. El Matador State Beach
2. Rat Beach
3. Santa Monica
4. El Pescador State Beach
5. Redondo Beach
6. Malibu
7. Malibu Lagoon State Beach
8. Hermosa Beach
9. Huntington Beach
10. Venice Beach
1. El Matador State Beach
There are three beaches within the boundaries of Robert H. Meyer State Beach. And, the most famous of these, and the one that deserves the most attention, is El Matador! This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Los Angeles and deserves to be at the top of our list.
This place is also very famous among wedding photographers. As you can understand from here, it has a great view! You can take great pictures here- even if you don’t have a wedding.
There is so much to discover here. Massive boulders and hidden sea caves… It’s fun to explore, but it adds a wonderfully mysterious air to this beach. Also, the cliff here! We don’t know how to describe this place. It’s such a magnificent sight that you won’t be able to get enough taking pictures. This is a great location to see the whole beach. Lush algae, azure sea, and whales… Yes, yes…. This is the best beach in Los Angeles!
Tip
You can walk to El Sol Beach when the tide is not high. Low tide is important because there is no normal road access here. It’s located west of El Pescador. When you cross this road, you’ll reach a peaceful place.
Parking: Self-pay lots
Dogs: Not allowed
2. Rat Beach
Isn’t the name a bit scary? But no worries, the name has nothing to do with rodents. If you’re comfortable now, let’s move on.
The name of this beach means just after Torrance. And a rodent-free, clean environment. This is one of the best beaches in Los Angeles for scuba diving and skin diving. Many tourists come here every year to scuba dive. Its sea is full of sea creatures to discover. Swimming is also very enjoyable for amateur swimmers in Rat Beach. You can swim here with peace of mind. Also, lifeguards are on duty here all day.
Rat Beach is also very good in terms of facilities. You’ll not have any problems with toilets and showers. If you don’t have it with you, it’s also possible to rent equipment such as beach mats and beach chairs. There is also a volleyball court on the beach. Join a playing team and enjoy beach volleyball.
Tip
The sun here is scorching. So sunscreen is needed when coming here. Extra supplements such as mineral creams that protect you against the sun can also be brought.
Parking: $7 per day, 300 spaces available
Dogs: Not allowed
3. Santa Monica
Santa Monica Beach offers one of the best beach experiences in Los Angeles to many beach lovers every year. There is everything here! Sometimes you may be surprised by what to do, word to the wise.
The sand here is clean and soft. There are great restaurants on the beach. If you like cycling, great! There are many bike paths here. A great way to explore this place…
We recommend this place wholeheartedly to those who’re looking for a fun holiday. Families with children also often prefer this place because it’s a family-friendly beach. There are many playgrounds for children. After entrusting their children to these tracks with peace of mind, parents can have fun on their own. You’ll not have any problems in terms of accommodation here. Whether it’s luxury hotels or sweet and friendly motels, there are all kinds of accommodation options you want. If you want to take a coffee break on the walking or cycling route to explore the beach, you’ll find very sweet cafes in the greenery.
Tip
If you’re into bodybuilding, this place is nicknamed the original muscle beach! Nearby you can find a lot of equipment for bodywork, ring, parallel bar, anti-roll bar, and more…
Parking: From $2 per hour to $20 per day
Dogs: On boardwalk and pier only
4. El Pescador State Beach
We continue with our second beach from Robert H. Meyer State Beach. El Pescador State Beach is the westernmost of these beaches. And, it’s the beach that deserves to be on this list!
The advantage or disadvantage of this place (you decide!) is that it’s quite difficult to reach. The main beach is one footpath from a parking lot off the Pacific coast highway. Another transportation other than the main road is to pass through the rocks and pools. But for this, it has to be the period when the tide is low.
Due to the difficulty of transportation, this beach is quiet. If you’re going to Los Angeles but looking for a quiet and peaceful beach away from the crowds, we say go here. El Pescador is so peaceful. It would be great to have a picnic here on a day trip. There are many sea creatures here. Besides those in the sea, there is a great variety of birds here. So much so that bird watchers come here every year to observe different kinds of birds.
Tip
Don’t forget to bring your food with you when you come for a picnic because it’s hard to find food for sale here.
Parking: Self-pay lots
Dogs: Not allowed
5. Redondo Beach
If you want to go to a crowded beach and have plenty of options, let’s take you to Redondo Beach! Redondo County Beach is more than a mile long and offers many options. First of all, it has a very large car park, so it’s almost impossible to have a parking problem. And, here there are many entertainment opportunities for both single couples, singles, and families with children. So, it appeals to everyone.
The pier here has the shape of a horseshoe. You can find many shops on this pier. Great stalls to buy sweet souvenirs. We also recommend that you stop by the seafood restaurants here.
Those who love to ride bikes are lucky again because there is a beautiful bike path here too. Those who wish can also take a walk. This road is very good for getting to know the beach and the surrounding area, so we recommend using this route. This is also an ideal surf spot. Many experienced surfers come here every year. However, we can hardly recommend this beach if you’re an amateur. Amateurs can go a little further north. On the other hand, lifeguards are on duty all day long to not let anything go wrong here.
Tip
Redondo Beach is very close to a major storm channel. This storm can be strong enough to affect the water quality from time to time. For this reason, it’s useful to check the condition of the beach before going.
Parking: $2 per hour in structure at Redondo Beach Pier
Dogs: Not allowed
6. Malibu
You can’t say I’ve had a beach vacation in Los Angeles without seeing Malibu, 20 miles just north of Santa Monica!
Malibu’s beaches are diverse and appeal to both crowd seekers and tranquility seekers. Some beaches, for example, are on cliffs and are quite calm. To reach some of them, it’s necessary to cross very difficult roads and these beaches are also very secluded. Topanga Beach here is worth seeing. Maybe you’ll find it familiar when you go here because this beach has appeared in many movies and TV shows. It’s one of the famous surfing destinations. Access to this beach is also very easy. It can even be reached by metro.
Those looking for a little more luxury can head to Paradise Cove. You can be sure that you’ll get great service here. It’s semi-private. It’s a beach restaurant. In short, this place appeals more to luxury seekers. Apart from these, we can recommend Zuma Beach from Malibu. This is a great beach for surfing. In terms of water quality, it’s among the best in Malibu and Los Angeles. The Palos Verdes Peninsula’s Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is yet another virgin natural beach. It’s well-known for its tide pools and hiking and walking routes that go along the dunes.
Tip
Surfing on Malibu beaches is mostly for the masters. Amateurs can try it with lifeguarding comfort, but caution should still be exercised.
Parking: Street only, read signs carefully
Dogs: Generally not allowed
7. Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Malibu Lagoon State Beach is for everyone. If we mean everybody, seriously everybody! It’s famous only for its beach holiday but also for many other features.
Surfing enthusiasts, bird enthusiasts, and history buffs love this place. Malibu Lagoon State Beach is located where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean, and when you go to the west you can find a wonderful picnic area, and when you go to the east, you can find Malibu Pier, which has a wonderful view.
The huge wetland here is like a paradise for bird watchers. Here, bird watchers have the chance to observe many bird species in their natural areas. Hikers also love coming here. For history lovers, tours are organized here. In this tour, information is given about the Native American tribe that lived in this region until the 1800s. You see, Malibu Lagoon State Beach appeals to absolutely everyone, so we strongly recommend that you see it.
Tip
If you plan your holiday here between March and July, you may encounter wonderful birds. This happens twice a month for four consecutive nights, and it’s wonderful to witness.
Parking: Self-pay lot
Dogs: Leashed dogs are allowed in the parking lot and on the path near the parking lot only
8. Hermosa Beach
Next up is the beach that’s extremely famous among the locals of Los Angeles: Hermosa Beach! You’ll not only have a great beach holiday here, but you’ll also learn a lot about the culture of Los Angeles.
The waves of the sea here are very pleasant and swimming isn’t difficult. However, this place may not be suitable for those seeking tranquility. Because it gets very crowded, especially in the season, it’s better to come early in the morning to find a place. The facilities on the beach are good. You’ll not have any problems with issues such as the toilet and shower. In addition, lifeguards are always on duty during daylight hours.
You’ll want to take a lot of photos on its pier. When you take a walk here, the scenery you encounter will fascinate you. It would be great if you could coincide this walk with the sunset! There are also bars and restaurants in this area, which aren’t very crowded. Good news for shopping lovers too, here you’ll find many stalls selling great souvenirs.
Tip
If you like brunch, the cafes on Pier Avenue offer great menus.
Parking: Public lots, $1.25 – $1.50 per hour
Dogs: Leashed dogs on Strand path only
9. Huntington Beach
This is one of the best surfing spots in both Los Angeles and the world. It has one of the best waves in Southern California, making its sea very suitable for surfing.
The sandy beach is also great. It has a large area and is flat. The beach is so big that it continues for 10 km on both sides of the pier.
If you’ve had enough of the sea, you’re not done! This area is very lively. You can see the downtown retail district just across from the beach. After leaving there, go to see the International Surfing Museum. A professional surfing tournament is held here every year during the season and on weekends. For those who don’t like crowds, let’s say that the city is very crowded during this period. But, fans see this tournament! You’ll not have any problems with accommodation here. Many of the hotels are pet friendly. There are also dog parks nearby.
Tip
It’s important to bring sunscreen.
Parking: Self-pay lot
Dogs: It’s a pet-friendly beach, so dogs are allowed
10. Venice Beach
Santa Monica State Beach’s south end is located south of the Santa Monica Pier and north of Venice Beach. Venice Beach is a popular destination for both local and foreign visitors. All year long, the beach is the ideal place to enjoy the sun, sand, and water. The surrounding region is lined with a 2.5-mile pedestrian-only walkway.
The canals, Venice Beach’s tribute to its European namesake, are not far from the hotels and the lively seashore. These lovely canals and footpaths are ideal for a peaceful stroll in the morning or evening. Wander across footbridges and observe lovely residences and gardens. If you want to visit a calmer place, you can prefer Manhattan beach.
Tip
Don’t skip the golden hour at Venice Beach, whether from a terrace or barefoot on the sand. The sunset over the water is always breathtaking.
Parking: Many streets in Venice have free parking
Dogs: Allowed on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, not on the beach
Conclusion
Los Angeles is a great destination for beach lovers with its wonderful beaches. It attracts all kinds of holiday lovers with its quiet places and crowded and fun places. We hope that this list will help you in choosing the beaches to visit. Have a great holiday in advance!