Best Los Angeles Beaches
Including Malibu

Laguna Beach

Edited November 2023

Los Angeles beaches are some of the the most popular and best beaches in California. Offering over 30 miles (48Km.) of sand, this waterfront city offers a wide variety beaches from the eclectic Venice Beach to the more subdued Malibu beaches. If you happen to be one of over 40 million tourists doing overnight stops and visits to waterfront destination of Los Angeles, we suggest you slow down a little and see the best beaches that have made LA, Malibu to Manhattan Beach so famous!

The best way to see all these beaches in one or two days is to rent a bike and ride the South Bay Bicycle Trail or Marvin Braude Bike Trail from Will Rogers State Beach south to Torrance County Beach. Walking along here is also a great way to get from one area to another. Anyone walking should however should stay off the clearly marked bike only areas.
The weather in Los Angeles is absolutely fantastic! On average you will find 186 full sunny days per year with 106 partly sunny. This means an outstanding 286 days per year you will find sunshine making it almost perfect for any beach vacation.
If you plan to board one of the many cruise ships leaving Los Angeles we suggest taking a few extra days either before or after your cruise to enjoy this superb waterfront destination.


• Leo Carrillo Beach •

Leo Carrillo Beach is the only beach in Los Angeles which allows dogs! Please ensure to follow all regulations and take Fido just North of lifeguard station #3. Leo Carrillo Beach is 1.5 miles long and offers a variety of activities. Leo Carrillo Beach is part of the State Park which offers camping as well. Find out more about this beautiful beach where you can enjoy a day on the only dog friendly beach in Los Angeles here.

• El Matador Beach•

El Matador Beach El Matador Beach as well as its sister beaches El Pescador and L.A. Piedra are the more rugged and best Los Angeles beaches. Known for their large rock formations they are favored by photographers and those looking for more secluded beaches. Definitely worth your time to find and get to. Find out more about El Matador Beach here!

• Zuma Beach •

Zuma Beach Surfing

Zuma Beach is the largest of the Malibu beaches. It is also known for its clean water, surfing, volleyball and of course being a Malibu Beach! Known locally as just Zuma, it offers 14 lifeguard stations for safety as well as good facilities, parking and more. Part of this beach is also Westward Beach and Point Dume. Find out more about Zuma Beach here.

• Santa Monica State Beach •

Santa Monica Pier and Amusement Park

Santa Monica State Beach is the most family friendly beach of all Los Angeles beaches and therefore should definitely be part of your family beach vacation.
Home to many movies, its main feature is the 2 mile (3.2Km.) long beach with soft California sand. There are great facilities here and if shopping is on your mind you will be close to famed Rodeo Drive! The Santa Monica Pier is home to The Pacific Amusement Park includes a Ferris wheel, Carousel, and small roller coaster amongst other fun things for the family to enjoy. Find out more about this fabulous beach Santa Monica State Beach here!

• Venice Beach •

Venice Beach is the fun beach of Los Angeles. However... this area is not just about the incredible beach itself, it is about the circus like atmosphere along the Venice Beach Boardwalk! Watch the YouTube video and see for yourself!
You will find tons of souvenir shops, restaurants, street entertainers as well. There is just so much happening on and around this beach you truly have to see and read about it here!

• Manhattan & Hermosa Beach •

"The Big House" Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Festival Volleyball Competition

Birthplace of beach volleyball, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach are also mentioned in the song "Surfin' USA" by the Beach Boys. Beautiful multi million dollar beachfront homes. Find out more about this 4 mile strand here and what makes this one of the best Los Angeles beaches.

• Beachfront Hotels And Accomodations In Los Angeles •

Hotel Erwin at Venice Beach

Quality Los Angeles waterfront or beach hotels may be found in Malibu, Hermosa Beach or Manhattan Beach. There you will find less traffic and hotels which are more conducive to relaxation and beach vacations.

The beach or waterfront hotels in Santa Monica are centrally located to most Los Angeles beaches. This area is family oriented with its amusement park on the pier.

If you love being where the action is, Venice Beach will be the place for you. The Hotel Erwin, a Joie de Vivre hotel (Love of life) offers easy access to the fun and exciting Venice Beach. The Joie De Vivre beachfront hotel is only 200 feet from the beach.

Los Angeles Beach Map

Here is the best Los Angeles beaches map to help you plan your perfect beach vacation in LA.


Visit other California Beaches from this Los Angeles Beaches page!

Vrbo

• Photo Credits •
Top photo Laguna Beach: Best Waterfront Destinations
Dog: Best Waterfront Destinations
Zuma Beach: Magicseaweed.com: Punter6669's
El Matador Beach: Flickr: Rafael Amado Deras
Santa Monica State Beach: Panoramio, Paolo Grassi
Beachfront Hotel: TripAdvisor: Hotel Erwin, a Joie de Vivre hotel
Thank you to all for your contribution to this page.