01
Best overall pick
Zuma Beach
Western Malibu Coast • Wide Open Family-Friendly Beach • Best All-Around Beach Day
A long, clean stretch of sand with reliable parking and surf, Zuma is the go-to choice when you just want a classic Malibu beach day that works for everyone.
From Acton, Zuma feels like the payoff for the whole drive: broad sand, lifeguards, restrooms, snack stands, and room to spread out even on busy weekends. The surf is usually lively but manageable, making it popular with both casual swimmers and local surfers. If you only have the energy for one big coastal outing this summer, this is the beach that delivers the most with the fewest surprises.
02
Best for exploring
Leo Carrillo State Beach
North Malibu • Rocky Cove And Tide Pool Beach • Best For Kids And Explorers
Caves, coves, and tide pools give Leo Carrillo a tucked-away, adventurous feel that’s hard to find on more built-up city beaches.
If you’re making the drive from Acton with kids or anyone who likes to poke around in the rocks, Leo Carrillo is the most rewarding stop on the Malibu shoreline. Low tide reveals tide pools and sea caves, and the beach has a more rugged, coastal-park atmosphere than the big open sands to the south. It’s an easy place to turn a basic beach afternoon into a mini nature trip without going any farther than Malibu.
03
Most iconic choice
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Waterfront • Amenity-Packed City Beach • Best For First-Time Visitors
Santa Monica pairs a wide beach with a busy pier, bike path, and plenty of food options, ideal when you want more than just sand and waves.
For Acton residents bringing out-of-town guests, Santa Monica is the easiest beach to turn into a full day out. You get a broad sandy shore plus the pier, bike and pedestrian paths, and no shortage of nearby restaurants, coffee, and shopping. It’s busier and more polished than Malibu, but if you like having a lot of options within walking distance, this is where the coast feels most like a complete seaside city.
04
Best for evenings
Dockweiler State Beach
Near Lax And Playa Del Rey • Bonfire-Friendly Shoreline • Best For Sunset Bonfires
Dockweiler’s long, flat sand and rare public fire pits make it a standout for late-afternoon arrivals and sunset hangs after the inland heat breaks.
If you’re leaving Acton later in the day, Dockweiler is one of the few beaches where arriving closer to sunset is actually an advantage. The daytime plane noise is balanced by easy access, big swaths of sand, and the chance to grab a fire ring and make an evening of it. It’s less about pretty coves and more about simple, social beach time around the flames as the marine layer rolls in.
05
Best for active beachgoers
Hermosa Beach
South Bay • Lively Pier And Volleyball Scene • Best For People-Watching And Beach Life
Hermosa blends a long, walkable strand and volleyball courts with a compact pier district full of casual spots to eat and linger after the sun goes down.
When you want a beach day that feels social and energetic after the quieter pace of Acton, Hermosa is a strong pick. The paved Strand path draws cyclists, runners, and walkers, while the sand fills with volleyball courts and casual beachgoers. Finish the day with a stroll on the pier or grab a table at one of the many laid-back bars and cafés just off the sand.