Beaches in Los Angeles

I've been going to the beach in Los Angeles for almost 40 years. Soft sand, sunny days, and fun waves make L.A. beaches fantastic! Depending on what you're looking for, there's a beach for everyone!

I spend most of my time at the beaches in Santa Monica, my favorite beach is in Marina del Rey, and I love the rural feel of Malibu and the clear waters of Hermosa.

Quick Tips:

1. Traffic and parking are a big problem in L.A. There are beaches that are great for weekends and those that are great for weekdays.
2. Don't be discouraged by early morning fog. It usually burns off by noon.
3. Many beach parking lots charge up to per car.
4. Stay away from any "Mothers Beach" in Marina del Rey and Redondo Beach. They're man-made, wave-less beaches that are extremely polluted.
5. Stay away from beaches that have storm drains that empty into the ocean. Again, these are very polluted waters!!

Best Way To Get Around:

Unless you're staying at a hotel within walking distance, most L.A. tourists should rent a car.

So why would someone come here-- no bathrooms, no concession stands, no parking? Simply put, this is a GORGEOUS, quiet stretch of beach. Because it's in front of a residential neighborhood, it's almost impossible to find a place to park on the weekends, yet it's virtually empty on weekdays. You feel like you have the beach to yourself (and, yes, there are lifeguards during the week). Another plus is the view: in addition to the usual beauty of the ocean, this beach affords a horizon of sailboats that are coming and going from the harbor just south of the beach. This is my favorite weekday beach in LA. Free parking, no crowds, and beautiful views... paradise!

To get here, from the 405, take Washington Boulevard west all the way to the ocean and turn left on the last street. From Santa Monica, take Ocean Avenue through Venice and past Washington Boulevard.

Take PCH north, and just before Zuma Beach, turn left and follow the road to the end of the parking lot. Park your car and put on your hiking shoes. (Well, flip-flops are probably okay!) You're just about to take a walk up and over a hill, down to a PRIVATE beach! Truly, no beaches in California are "private." But the residents here think this is their own beach, as they have private access from their Point Dume neighborhood. But you CAN get here via an easy, pretty over-the-hill hike. This is a pristine, quiet, virtually empty beach. Enjoy!

Beaches in Santa Monica may be crowded on the weekends, but they're easy and convenient. You can always find a parking lot ($7), a restroom, and a volleyball net. A few beaches have playgrounds (swings, etc.) for kids, and a couple have food concessions (Back to the Beach) and (Perry's Pizza). What's really nice about the Santa Monica beach is the bike path that extends several miles, all the way down to Venice. In fact, you can take it through Marina del Rey and into Manhattan Beach. Bike and rollerblade rental shops are scattered throughout Santa Monica and Venice along the bike path. There's also Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier, so if you're tired of sunbathing and riding waves in Santa Monica, you can take a long bike ride or even ride a roller coaster.