In a nutshell
- We’ll show you the 11 best beaches in Los Angeles and the surrounding area.
- The most iconic Los Angeles beaches to visit during a city trip include Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach, and El Matador Beach.
- For each beach in Los Angeles, you’ll find our personal tips on why it’s worth visiting, what makes it special, and what to expect when you’re there.
Map of the Best Beaches in Los Angeles
Some of the beaches in our guide are right in the city, while others are a bit farther out – perfect for a short road trip or an overnight stay.
To help you get oriented, here’s a map of our favorite beaches in and near Los Angeles.
Famous Beaches: Santa Monica, Venice and El Matador
Los Angeles has many famous beaches. We’ll show you our favorites.
Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica is one of the most iconic and best beaches in LA. That’s mostly thanks to the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, one of Los Angeles’ top attractions.
The pier is known for its amusement park with a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, arcade games, and plenty of food stands right above the ocean. It’s a little kitschy, but if you’re visiting Los Angeles, you shouldn’t miss it, especially at sunset.
The legendary Route 66 also ends at the pier, and there’s even a small aquarium to visit.
The beach itself is wide and sandy, making it one of the best beaches for swimming in Los Angeles and a favorite among families. You’ll find lifeguards on duty, and plenty of shops and restaurants nearby for a quick bite.
If you’re taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour in L.A., you can choose a route that stops in Santa Monica.
Where to stay in Santa Monica
The Shore Hotel sits right on the beach next to the Santa Monica Pier. It’s a modern hotel with a pool, fitness center, and everything you need for a relaxed beach getaway.
If you want to stay somewhere a bit more budget-friendly, the HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel is a great choice: excellent value for money and just 450 meters from the beach.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach isn’t just a beach, it’s a whole neighborhood. It’s the creative and bohemian heart of L.A., drawing a young and artsy crowd.
Venice is best known for its beachfront skate park, but you can also surf, jog, or simply relax and people-watch. The vibe is laid-back and full of energy.
Along the boardwalk, you’ll find cool cafés, stylish bars, and plenty of shops to browse for souvenirs. Venice Beach is the perfect spot to grab a drink at sunset or soak up the atmosphere of one of the best beaches in Los Angeles.
Many visitors combine a visit to Venice Beach with other nearby highlights.
Best places to stay at Venice Beach
The Venice V Hotel is located right on the beach and has an interior you’ll instantly fall in love with.
If you’re after something more affordable, check out The Kinney – it’s trendy, central, and even has a pool, though it’s a bit closer to downtown.
You can find more great places to stay near the coast in our Los Angeles hotel guide.
El Matador Beach
El Matador lies just past Malibu and is often called the most romantic beach in Los Angeles. Even if you’re not into clichés, you’ll see why it’s so popular with couples at sunset – the golden light over the cliffs is simply magical.
You’ll need to walk down a steep set of stairs to reach the beach, which helps keep it quiet and peaceful.
Surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery, El Matador offers one of the most stunning backdrops among all Los Angeles beaches. With a bit of luck, you might even spot dolphins, seals, or whales offshore.
At the top of the cliffs, there are picnic tables with incredible ocean views, perfect for a snack break after exploring one of the best beaches in LA.
Our hotel tip for El Matador Beach
The closest place to stay near El Matador State Beach is the Hotel June Malibu. It’s a small hideaway surrounded by greenery with beach house vibes – calm, stylish, and just a short drive from the coast.
Beaches for Surfing
When most people think of Malibu, they picture celebrities and oceanfront villas. But Malibu first became famous in the 1960s for something else entirely — surfing. And there are even more beaches for surfing in Los Angeles.
Malibu Surfrider Beach
Malibu Surfrider Beach is legendary for its long, rolling waves, considered some of the best in California. Many professional surfers caught their first waves right here, making it one of the best beaches in LA to experience California’s surf culture.
You can watch surfers ride the waves all year round or grab a board and try it yourself. It’s especially popular with longboarders, whose graceful style makes it a joy to watch.
Swimming is best on calmer days when the surf isn’t too strong. Be sure to stay clear of the surf zone, this beach is more about the surf scene than swimming.
Where to stay at Malibu Surfrider Beach
Right across from Malibu Surfrider Beach, you’ll find the Private Beach Apartments – stylish seaside apartments perfect for two.
If you want something truly special, check out The Surfrider Malibu Hotel. It’s right on the beach, beautifully designed, and captures that laid-back surfer vibe perfectly.
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach is world-famous in the surfing community, hosting major surf competitions throughout the year. With a bit of luck, you can watch top surfers from around the globe competing right off the pier.
Of course, you can also surf here yourself, just be prepared for plenty of company in the water.
The town behind the beach lives and breathes surf culture. You’ll find surf shops, cool cafés with ocean views, and even an international surf museum. It’s one of those places where you instantly feel that easygoing coastal energy.
Besides surfing, you can play volleyball, take long walks along the shore, or just enjoy one of the best beaches near Los Angeles for a relaxing day in the sun. Swimming is allowed, just make sure to avoid the surf zones.
Our hotel tip for Huntington Beach
The Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel is located right on the beach with sea views from the breakfast table. We especially love the on-site yoga studio and the cozy fire pits where you can hang out in the evening.
Zuma Beach
Zuma Beach sits in Malibu, just a short drive from Point Dume (our No. 11), and is one of the best beaches in Los Angeles if you want plenty of space and a real California vibe.
It’s a great spot to learn how to surf. Several surf schools along the beach offer lessons and board rentals, so even beginners can give it a try.
If you’d rather swim, keep in mind that the currents can be strong at times. Luckily, there are lifeguards on duty all day, making it a good beach for swimming in Los Angeles.
The facilities at Zuma Beach are excellent: restrooms, showers, parking, a beach café, volleyball nets, and even swings – everything you need for a perfect day by the ocean.
Where to stay near Zuma Beach
Zuma Beach is just a few minutes from El Matador (No. 3). A good place to stay nearby is the Hotel June Malibu, a cozy and stylish retreat with a relaxed Malibu feel.
If you prefer something more private, check out the Malibu Romantic Guest Suite – a lovely vacation apartment just a short drive from the beach.
Los Angeles Beaches for Families
Planning a family trip to L.A.? Here are the best beaches in Los Angeles with kids.
Alamitos Beach
Alamitos Beach marks the start of Long Beach’s endless shoreline and is one of the best beaches near Los Angeles for families.
Long Beach is a great choice if you’re traveling with kids. Besides the beach, you can visit the Aquarium of the Pacific or explore the historic ocean liner RMS Queen Mary, both perfect for a fun day out.
This is also one of the few Los Angeles beaches that’s naturally sheltered from waves, making it a safe and calm place to swim, ideal if you’re looking for one of the best beaches for swimming in Los Angeles.
At the beach, you can rent just about anything to keep kids entertained, from volleyballs and tandem bikes to skimboards. Behind the beach, there are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops for a relaxed stroll after swimming.
The best places to stay at Long Beach
A great budget-friendly option in Long Beach is the Inn at 50 Long Beach Convention Center. It’s affordable by Los Angeles standards and still close to the beach.
If you prefer to stay right by the ocean and don’t mind spending a bit more, the Courtyard by Marriott is a solid choice.
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is one of the best beaches in Los Angeles for families. The long, wide stretch of sand is perfect for volleyball, surfing, bodyboarding, or simply building sandcastles for hours.
Walk along the pier to watch local fishermen at work, and don’t miss the small aquarium at the end of it, which is free to visit.
You’ll find everything you need for a comfortable day by the sea: showers, toilets, and lifeguards on duty. Plenty of restaurants line the promenade, and while parking near the beach is paid, you might get lucky finding a free spot on the side streets.
Our hotel tip for Manhattan Beach
The Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach is just a five-minute walk from the ocean. It has a rooftop bar, a pool with sea views, and a relaxed coastal vibe.
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach captures the classic California lifestyle – golden sand, palm trees, and the occasional celebrity athlete or actor passing by. It’s one of the best beaches in LA if you’re after that laid-back Southern California vibe.
During the day, it’s ideal for families, with volleyball courts, showers, toilets, and lifeguards keeping an eye on things. In the evening, the town gets livelier, with plenty of bars and restaurants to explore.
What makes Hermosa Beach so special is that you can easily combine a day at the beach with a walk through town, it’s all just a few steps apart.
Where to stay at Hermosa Beach
If you want to wake up to ocean views right by the sand, stay at the Grandview Inn. It’s just steps from the beach – small, friendly, and anything but a typical big hotel.
The Best Nature Beaches in Los Angeles
Are you looking for beaches surrounded by nature? Great! There are some amazing spots near Los Angeles.
Leo Carrillo State Beach
Leo Carrillo State Beach is one of the best beaches near Los Angeles if you’re looking for a quiet spot surrounded by nature. It sits inside the beautiful Leo Carrillo State Park, far from the city and perfect for a relaxing beach day.
Here, you’ll find sea caves and rocky grottos, reefs where crabs bask in the sun, and tide pools that are great for kids to explore.
You can fish, surf, snorkel, or just take a peaceful walk along the sand collecting shells.
If you don’t want to leave when the sun goes down, there’s even a campground right behind the beach.
Our hotel tip for Leo Carrillo Beach
If camping isn’t your thing, the Hotel June Malibu is a great alternative. It’s the perfect base to explore several of the best beaches in LA – El Matador (No. 3), Zuma Beach (No. 6), and Point Dume (No. 11) are all just a short drive away.
Point Dume Beach
Point Dume is both a nature reserve and a scenic viewpoint. The cliffs jut out into the Pacific, offering stunning views that stretch from Malibu all the way to Catalina Island.
From the top, you might even spot gray whales between December and April as they migrate along the coast.
A narrow trail leads down to the sand, where the beach is tucked between cliffs and sea caves – sheltered, quiet, and perfect if you want to escape the crowds. It’s easily one of the best beaches in Los Angeles for a calm and natural vibe.
The best places to stay near Point Dume Beach
Point Dume sits between Zuma Beach (No. 6) and Surfrider Beach (No. 3) in Malibu. You can use our hotel tips for those beaches as a guide, they’re all great options nearby:
Hotel June Malibu
Private Beach Apartments
The Surfrider Malibu Hotel