Best Beaches In & Near Los Angeles

By The Beach Guide | Last Updated: August 25, 2023

Map featuring Los Angeles beaches. Click on pins to view beach details

1. Venice Beach

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 0.5 hrs

When thinking of Los Angeles it is hard not to picture the city's iconic Venice Beach. Whilst many beaches are exactly that, and nothing else, Venice Beach is much more than that; a beach, cultural institution, vibrant community and international tourist destination to name a few. What goes on along the beach front is as important to Venice beach's character as the sand,ocean and palms trees that physically define it.
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2. Torrance County Beach

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 0.5 hrs

Nestled between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove, you may hear the locals refer to this stretch as RAT Beach - as in, Right After Torrance or Redondo & Torrance.
The soft white sands here sit at the bottom of a picturesque cliff, so snapping some Insta-worthy photos is a breeze.
When it comes to amenities, you'll find loads of parking spaces close by, lifeguards on daily duty, and restrooms and showers right… read more »
3. Santa Monica State Beach

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 0.5 hrs

Just west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica State Beach stretches for an astonishing 8 miles of soft sand. Cleaned and raked on a daily basis, it will host the beach volleyball competition of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The archetypal West Coast beach town, Santa Monica State Beach has a pier with an amusement park that contains a carousel dating from 1922 and is listed as a National Historic… read more »
4. Dockweiler State Beach

Alistair McMillan

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 0.5 hrs

This vast beach, which sits just three miles away from Los Angeles' international airport is a near-four mile stretch of soft golden sand on California's south east coast.
Its proximity to the airport makes it a top spot for seeing the aeroplanes take off, but there's a lot more to this beach than plane spotting.
Among the many amenities here, you'll find fire pits, picnic facilities, showers and restrooms, and there… read more »
5. Will Rogers State Beach

© Don Ramey Logan

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 0.5 hrs

Will Rogers sits between two illustrious neighbours, Malibu and Santa Monica, just to the north of Los Angeles. Stretching for nearly 3 miles this is a great option when the city beaches become too busy.
The long sandy beach here is everything you would imagine of a South Californian beach. Surf from the deep blue pacific, permanent sunshine and a host of volleyball courts.It should be little surprise… read more »
6. Palisades Beach

© Milan Ashley

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 0.5 hrs

This narrow strip of soft white sand is just along the coast from the ever-popular Santa Monica.
Unlike its next-door neighbor, there aren't a whole host of beachfront bars and restaurants, which helps to keep the crowds away, and means there's plenty of wriggle room for a spot of sunbathing.
Lifeguards are on duty every day and there are loads of places to park nearby if you're taking the car to the… read more »
7. Hermosa Beach

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 0.5 hrs

Hermosa's two-mile swathe of golden sand is one of the most popular stretches in Los Angeles County.
With 94 acres of beach to stretch out on and top-notch conditions for surfing, it attracts visitors of all ages.
At the heart of the beach is the historic pier, which has had pride of place for more than 50 years. If you fancy doing a bit of fishing then this is the perfect place… read more »
8. Redondo Beach State Park

ChildofMidnight

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 0.5 hrs

This 1.5 mile-long stretch of shoreline is jam-packed with activities and facilities, which keep visitors coming back time and time again.
At the far north of the beach you'll find the magnificent pier. It's a great place for a spot of fishing, and there are plenty of bars, shops and restaurants here too, with plenty of variety on the menus. Naturally as you'd expect, there are plenty of fresh seafood places… read more »
9. RAT Beach

305 Seahill

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 0.5 hrs
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10. Malibu Beach

Jimmy G

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr
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11. Long Beach

Greg Gjerdingen

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr

You'll find this golden stretch of sand along California's southern coastline, just a 30-minute drive away from Los Angeles.
All the essentials are in place here, including lifeguard posts, showers, restrooms, and lots of parking spots nearby. And there's a promenade backing on to the beach that is particularly popular with cyclists and skaters.
As for the beach itself, there's usually plenty of elbow room as this isn't the busiest of… read more »
12. Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve Beach

Dave Proffer

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr
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13. Belmont Shore Beach

Sergei Gussev

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr
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14. Lunada Bay Beach

tiarescott

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr
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15. Seal Beach

Monacat

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr
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16. Zuma Beach

tmastro

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr

One of largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles County, Zuma Beach has clean waters and wide sands that extend for a total of around two miles. The location for the famous final scene in the original 1968 version of Planet of the Apes, it is now better known by the surfing community for its breaks, with Zuma Beach hosting several major competitions each year. Kite surfers tend to… read more »
17. Huntington Beach

© James Kim

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr

Nicknamed "Surf City USA", Huntington Beach is a popular resort destination for locals and international tourists. This 121-acre state beach has a long pier and a beautiful sandy beach with dunes sheltering many bird species.
Facilities include parking lots (open until 10pm), bathrooms, showers, lifeguard HQ and fire rings for bonfires. It is ideal for sunbathing, walking, fishing and watching pro surfers.
There are sandbars at the south end of Huntington Beach… read more »
18. Cabrillo Beach

Sergei Gussev

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr
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19. Surfside Beach

Karen Fasimpaur

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr
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20. Sunset Beach

Lars Plougmann

Travel time from Los Angeles: approx 1 hr
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