Dockweiler State Beach (Playa del Rey)

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 are volleyball nets if you fancy working up a sweat.

There’s a bike path which runs alongside the beach too, which is equally popular with joggers and roller-skaters, and the jetties at the northern end of the beach are perfect for a spot of fishing.

Lifeguards are on patrol during daylight hours and there are a handful of places nearby to grab food and drinks from. 

The beach fills up pretty quickly in the summer months, especially in the late afternoon and early evening as beachgoers gather around the fire pits, but with such a vast space to sprawl out on, there’s still plenty of elbow room.

One thing to be aware of that does put a few people off is the noise of the aircraft, but for most visitors there’s too many activities taking place for them to even notice it, with watersports like surfing and diving proving popular here.