The Los Angeles coast runs from Leo Carrillo State Park on the Ventura County line down to Long Beach. Along the way you get pier towns, surf breaks, wide family beaches and small coves with sea stacks. The right beach depends on what you want from the day and whether you have a car. This list picks ten beaches and says plainly what each one does best, with parking and access notes checked in October 2026.
In this guide
- 1. Santa Monica State Beach
- 2. Venice Beach
- 3. Will Rogers State Beach
- 4. Zuma Beach
- 5. El Matador State Beach
- 6. Leo Carrillo State Park
- 7. Mother's Beach, Marina del Rey
- 8. Manhattan Beach
- 9. Hermosa Beach
- 10. Dockweiler State Beach
- Other beaches worth knowing
- Water quality
- Beach safety
- When to go
- Frequently asked questions
It is part of our Los Angeles beaches guide. For more on the coast north of Santa Monica, read our Malibu beaches guide.
LA beaches at a glance
- Easiest without a car Santa Monica, via the Metro E Line
- Best people-watching Venice Beach boardwalk
- Best long beach day Zuma Beach in Malibu
- Best for photos El Matador State Beach
- Best for small kids Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey
- After rain Stay out of the ocean for 72 hours, per LA County Public Health
| Beach | Best for | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica | First-timers, the pier | E Line, then a short walk |
| Venice | Boardwalk, skatepark | Walk or bike from Santa Monica |
| Will Rogers | Quieter sand near the city | Car, PCH lots |
| Zuma | Full beach day | Car |
| El Matador | Photos, coves | Car, small lot |
| Leo Carrillo | Tide pools, caves | Car |
| Mother’s Beach | Toddlers, calm water | Car or bus |
| Manhattan Beach | Volleyball, pier town | Car or bus |
| Hermosa Beach | Pier, bars, volleyball | Car or bus |
| Dockweiler | Bonfires | Car |
1. Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica has a wide, sandy beach on both sides of the pier, lifeguard towers, the beach bike path and the Pacific Park rides. It is the easiest beach to reach without a car: take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica and walk about 10 minutes. North of the pier is usually calmer. Read our Santa Monica guide and Santa Monica Pier guide.
2. Venice Beach
Venice is about the scene as much as the sand: the boardwalk, street performers, Muscle Beach and the skatepark. It gets crowded on weekend afternoons. Walk or bike south from Santa Monica on the beach path, or park in one of the county lots. See our Venice guide.
3. Will Rogers State Beach
Below Pacific Palisades, Will Rogers is a long, flat beach that is usually calmer and less crowded than Santa Monica. It has paid lots along PCH and lifeguards in season. The beach bike path begins here. Fire recovery work in the Palisades can affect nearby roads, so check Caltrans before you drive.
4. Zuma Beach
Zuma is the easiest Malibu beach day: wide sand, lifeguard towers, restrooms and big paid lots right on PCH. The surf can be strong, so swim near a lifeguard. It is a good pick for families and groups who want space. Arrive early on summer weekends.
5. El Matador State Beach
El Matador is a small cove with sea stacks and arches, reached by a steep trail and stairs from a bluff-top lot. State Parks lists parking at $12 a day, with a higher rate on some weekends and holidays. There are no lifeguards, and the beach shrinks at high tide, so time your visit to a lower tide.
6. Leo Carrillo State Park
On the far western edge of LA County, Leo Carrillo has about 1.5 miles of beach, tide pools, reefs and sea caves. It is the best place in the county for tide pooling at low tide. Day-use parking costs $12 a day or $3 an hour.
7. Mother’s Beach, Marina del Rey
Mother’s Beach, inside Marina del Rey harbor, has no waves, which makes it a favorite with parents of toddlers. It has a playground, picnic tables, restrooms and showers, at 4101 Admiralty Way. It is not the place for surf or big views, but small kids love it. See our Los Angeles with kids guide.
8. Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is a South Bay beach town with a long pier, a walkable downtown a block from the sand and many volleyball courts. The small, free Roundhouse Aquarium sits at the end of the pier. From October through March it opens weekdays 2pm to 5pm and weekends 10am to 5pm. The beach path continues south to Hermosa and Redondo.
9. Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach has a busy pier plaza lined with restaurants and bars, plus volleyball and a wide beach. It is livelier than Manhattan, especially on weekend evenings. Walk or bike the path between the two.
10. Dockweiler State Beach
Dockweiler, south of Playa del Rey, is one of the few beaches in the area with fire rings for bonfires. Planes from LAX fly low overhead, which some people find fun to watch. It is a good spot for a sunset group gathering. Check the county’s rules for fire rings before you go.
Other beaches worth knowing
- Point Dume in Malibu has a bluff-top trail and tide pools. The lower lot is closed due to erosion, but the beach is reachable on foot.
- Surfrider Beach, next to the Malibu Pier, is a well-known surf break.
- Redondo Beach has a harbor, a pier and seafood restaurants.
- Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro is a family beach inside the harbor breakwater.
- Long Beach has calm water behind the breakwater, though water quality can be lower than at open-ocean beaches.
Water quality
Runoff after rain carries bacteria into the ocean. LA County Public Health advises staying out of the water for 72 hours after rain, especially near storm drains, creeks and rivers. Before you swim, check the county’s beach sampling results and the Heal the Bay Beach Report Card.
Beach safety
Beach safety tips
- Swim near a lifeguard tower.
- If a rip current pulls you out, swim parallel to shore until you are free.
- Shuffle your feet in shallow water to avoid stepping on stingrays in summer and fall.
- Bring layers; mornings are often gray and cool, especially in May and June.
- Alcohol, smoking and glass are banned on most beaches.
- Keep bags and phones out of sight in parked cars.
When to go
The water is warmest in late summer and early fall, and that is also when crowds start to thin after Labor Day. May and June mornings are often overcast near the coast. Winter has big surf on some days and occasional storms, but sunny days are common. See our best time to visit Los Angeles guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in Los Angeles?
It depends on your day. Santa Monica is easiest to reach, Zuma is best for a full beach day, El Matador is best for photos and Mother’s Beach is best for toddlers.
Which LA beach can I reach by train?
Santa Monica. Take the Metro E Line to Downtown Santa Monica and walk about 10 minutes.
Where can I have a bonfire on the beach in Los Angeles?
Dockweiler State Beach has fire rings. Follow the county’s rules.
Is the water warm in Los Angeles?
It is cool for much of the year. Late summer and early fall are warmest, and many surfers wear wetsuits year-round.
Are Los Angeles beaches free?
Yes, the beaches are free, but most parking lots charge.
Official sources: LA County Beaches and Harbors; LA County beach water quality; Heal the Bay Beach Report Card; Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach; Leo Carrillo State Park; Marina Beach (Mother’s Beach); Roundhouse Aquarium; Santa Monica Pier.
Photo credits
Featured image: Pedro Szekely / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0