Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city of about 3.9 million people between the Pacific coast and the San Gabriel Mountains, known for Hollywood, beaches, museums, mountain viewpoints and some of the most varied food in the United States.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Los Angeles.
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- busy and touristy, pier-side family fun
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Bike path
- Volleyball courts
- Pier with food
Santa Monica State Beach
Wide sandy beach at the Santa Monica Pier with a bike path, playground, volleyball and a range of nearby restaurants.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10am on summer weekends to find space in the beach lots.
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- eclectic boardwalk scene, street performers and skaters
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Skate park
- Muscle Beach outdoor gym
- Boardwalk shops
Venice Beach
Wide beach beside the Ocean Front Walk, with the skate park, Muscle Beach and street performers.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on weekends; lots near Windward Avenue fill by late morning.
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- spacious, local, family and bodysurf crowd
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Snack bar
- Large parking lots
Zuma Beach
A wide two-mile beach, popular for swimming and bodysurfing, with strong summer shorebreak.
Editor’s tip. Swim directly in front of a lifeguard tower; rip currents are common.
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- scenic, quiet cove popular with photographers and couples
- Restrooms
- Staircase to beach
- Picnic tables
El Matador State Beach
A cove with sea stacks and arches on the edge of Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, reached by a steep path and stairs; no lifeguards.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early or on a weekday; the small paid lot fills quickly.
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- outdoorsy, nature-focused with camping and tide pools
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Campground
- Tide pools
Leo Carrillo State Beach
A state beach with tide pools, sea caves and a campground, at the Los Angeles-Ventura county line.
Editor’s tip. Time a visit for low tide to explore tide pools and sea caves.
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- upscale, active volleyball and strand crowd
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Volleyball courts
- Pier aquarium
Manhattan Beach
A wide beach with a pier, a roundhouse aquarium, and volleyball courts hosting beach volleyball events.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends; metered lots and street spaces fill fast.
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- lively beach-town crowd, volleyball and pier bars
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Volleyball courts
- Pier restaurants
- Bike path
Hermosa Beach
A beach town with a pier, a lively strand and the Strand bike path, with a larger crowd than neighboring beaches.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends to find metered or lot parking.
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- relaxed harbor-side family beach
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Pier
- Marina
- Bike path
Redondo Beach
A sandy beach beside the Redondo Beach Pier and King Harbor, with waterfront restaurants and a horseshoe pier.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends; pier lots fill quickly.
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- spacious local beach, bonfires and plane-watching
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Fire pits
- RV campground
- Hang glider launch at the dunes
Dockweiler State Beach
A long county-run beach below LAX flight paths, one of the few Los Angeles beaches with fire rings and an RV park.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends to claim a fire ring.
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- relaxed local family beach below the bluffs
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Volleyball courts
- Bike path
- Playground
Will Rogers State Beach
A mile-long beach below the Pacific Palisades; parts of the lots remained closed after the January 2025 Palisades Fire, so check county notices before driving.
Editor’s tip. Check county and state notices for lot closures after the Palisades Fire.
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- iconic surf break with spectators and pier dining
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Malibu Pier
- Malibu Lagoon wildlife area
Surfrider Beach
One of the world's best-known surf breaks, beside Malibu Pier and Malibu Lagoon State Beach.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends; the lagoon lot fills quickly.
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- calm, local family beach with a marine aquarium
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms
- Protected swimming beach
- Marine aquarium
- Picnic tables
Cabrillo Beach
A sheltered harbor beach with calm swimming water and a marine aquarium beside the breakwater.
Editor’s tip. Choose the harbor side for calm water with small children.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Los Angeles memorable.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Los Angeles’s coast.
How do visitors get to Santa Monica State Beach without a car?
The Metro E Line runs to Downtown Santa Monica station, and the beach is about a 10-minute walk away. Rideshare drop-offs near the pier are also common.
From the Santa Monica State Beach editorial.
Is there a fee to enter the beach?
Entry to the sand is free. Paid beach parking lots charge roughly $10-20 depending on the day and season.
From the Santa Monica State Beach editorial.
Is Venice Beach good for swimming?
Lifeguards staff the beach in the warm season, and swimming is common in summer. The surf can be moderate, so visitors should follow flag and lifeguard guidance.
From the Venice Beach editorial.
Where can visitors park near Venice Beach?
Paid lots are found near Windward Avenue and along the beach side streets. They fill quickly on sunny weekends, and nearby street parking is often restricted.
From the Venice Beach editorial.
How much does parking at Zuma Beach cost?
Parking costs about $10-15 in summer, with rates varying by season. The lots are large but can fill on holiday weekends.
From the Zuma Beach editorial.
Is Zuma Beach safe for swimming?
Lifeguards are on duty, but the shorebreak and rip currents can be strong. Swimmers should stay near the towers and follow lifeguard flags.
From the Zuma Beach editorial.
Are there lifeguards at El Matador State Beach?
No lifeguards are on duty. Visitors should be cautious in the water, as rocks and swell make swimming less safe than at staffed beaches.
From the El Matador State Beach editorial.
How hard is it to reach the sand?
A steep dirt path and a staircase lead from the bluff to the cove. It is manageable for most visitors but involves a climb back up.
From the El Matador State Beach editorial.