You can’t tell the story of Los Angeles without the Pacific Ocean as a main character. This quintessential coastline is as much ingrained in the city’s DNA as are its famous hills and iconic boulevards. Yes, California’s entire coast is worthy of praise, but there’s something about an LA beach that strikes a chord. “Los Angeles beaches have this rare combination of natural beauty and cultural energy,” says Corey Da Silva, who manages guest experiences at The Surfrider Malibu. “You’ve got rugged coastal cliffs, wide sandy stretches, and incredible sunsets, but also a lifestyle element—surfing, fitness, food, and music—that makes the beach an extension of daily life.”
If you surf (or at the very least, aspire to), there’s an abundance of prime spots to catch waves. Or, should you prefer a stretch of sand that’s best enjoyed with the accompaniment of a romantic picnic, head to any one of the scenic beaches in Malibu. And for those who appreciate easy access to amenities like restaurants, restrooms, and volleyball courts, Venice and Santa Monica are both excellent choices. No matter how you spend your time in the sun, the best beaches in Los Angeles below epitomize the coastal California experience.
El Matador State Beach
The Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach on Pacific Coast Highway is made up of three exceptional pocket beaches: El Pescador, La Piedra, and El Matador. While each one of these is worth a visit, El Matador consistently ranks among the best in Los Angeles for its striking sea stacks. “The rock formations, sea caves, and the way the light hits at golden hour make it feel like you’re worlds away from the city,” Da Silva says, noting that it’s the perfect spot for a picnic. You can also drive five minutes up the road to Neptune’s Net for fresh seafood and people watching (the iconic beachside restaurant is a well-known haunt for motorcyclists).
Malibu Surfrider Beach
Immortalized by the 1959 surf flick Gidget, Surfrider Beach is nothing short of legendary. The beach (which also sometimes goes by Malibu Lagoon State Beach) offers three main take-off zones: first, second, and third point. “First Point at Malibu is iconic—not just for the quality of the wave, but for its history and the community around it,” Da Silva says, whose hotel overlooks the break. The beach is also right next to attractions like the Malibu Pier and Adamson House, making it easy to spend an entire day here.
Terranea Cove Beach
Rancho Palos Verdes is a coastal enclave in southern Los Angeles County that provides a slower pace than the city’s more populous hubs. (Fun fact; Joan Didion lived here in the mid-1960s with her husband John Gregory Dunne.) Among the region’s most breathtaking beaches is Terranea Cove, which features a network of trails that wind along a bluff’s edge and rocky shoreline. When the beach is at low tide, visitors can explore the large sea cave and tide pools, or hop on a kayak to paddle through coastal kelp beds.
Lechuza Beach
For sun dwellers in search of a quieter side to Malibu, Gregory Day (the managing director at Malibu Beach Inn) suggests Lechuza Beach as a tranquil option. Similar to nearby El Matador State Beach, Lechuza is popular for its unique rock formations and is located at the north end of Broad Beach Road. It’s about a half-mile long and features tide pools and kelp forests for visitors interested in wild ocean habitats.
Venice Beach
There’s a specific energy found in Venice Beach that’s unlike anywhere else in the world. This bohemian coastal destination was designed by Abbot Kinney in 1905 as an homage to its Italian namesake (hence the city’s historic canal district). The beachfront boardwalk—admittedly not the calmest of environments—is where the action’s at, with local artists, drum circles, and street performers meandering the oceanside lawns each and every day. If you find yourself in need of a respite from the crowds, tuck into Gjelina Hotel for an overnight stay just one black from the boardwalk.
Leo Carrillo State Park
Leo Carrillo, named after the actor and conservationist, is a beach of multitudes. There’s swimming, surfing, windsurfing, tide pools, coastal caves, and reefs for exploration. The area is about 28 miles northwest of Santa Monica on Pacific Coast Highway and is available to use for day visits and overnight camping (which also happens to be shaded by giant sycamore trees). One of the best ways to experience Leo Carrillo is along one of its many hiking paths, like the Yellow Hill Trail that provides panoramic views of the ocean and the Channel Islands in the distance.
Carbon Beach
This crescent-shaped beach in Malibu runs about one mile long and is also referred to as Billionaire’s Beach, thanks to the ultra-wealthy homeowners who reside along its shoreline. Despite its exclusive reputation, Carbon Beach is legally a public beach and there are a few discreet access points tucked between properties (such as the entry at 22126 Pacific Coast Highway). The best way to experience this smooth expanse of sand is with a stay at the beach’s most iconic hotel, the Malibu Beach Inn, which has rooms with balconies that extend directly over breaking waves.
Manhattan Beach
When you want clean sands, consistent surf, and a walkable environment, steer toward Manhattan Beach in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. Unlike the tourist-heavy zones of Santa Monica or Venice, this area is much more relaxed. There s The Strand—a paved path running parallel to the ocean—which is ideal for cycling and running, and connects to other beach cities. There s also the Manhattan Beach Pier that has a small aquarium and adds a unique centerpiece without overwhelming the coastline. And because local zoning laws limit high-rise development, ocean views will always be front and center.
Point Dume
This popular Malibu beach is part of a network of marine protected areas and is a favored spot for swimming, surfing, and scuba diving. Point Dume is also an impeccable whale-watching spot during the December to mid-April migration period. Throughout the year, beachgoers enjoy its rocky coves and expansive sand, as well as the cliffs and headlands that preside over its shorelines. If you’re in the mood to break a slight sweat, at the end of Westward Beach Road there’s access to a nature preserve that leads to an ancient coastal bluff sand dune, which is especially scenic during the poppy bloom in early spring.
