01
Best overall pick
Zuma Beach
Malibu Coastline • Classic Wide-Open Beach • Best All-Around Day Trip
A long, clean stretch of Malibu sand with room to spread out, mellow waves, and straightforward access.
For many desert residents, Zuma is the go-to reward at the end of a drive west from California City. The beach feels spacious even on busy weekends, with wide sand, lifeguards, and generally manageable surf. Pack a cooler, stake out a spot near a lifeguard tower, and you can easily make a full day of swimming, sunbathing, and simple seaside walks.
02
Top surf culture stop
Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Surfrider Beach)
Malibu Pier Area • Iconic Surf And Tidepool Spot • Best For Surfers And Coastal Walks
A legendary point break and estuary where surf culture, birdlife, and mellow shoreline strolling meet.
If you want the full postcard version of Malibu, this stretch by the pier delivers it in one stop. Experienced surfers paddle out at the famous right-hand point while visitors watch from the pier or wander the lagoon trails and small tidepools at lower tides. It’s not the broadest swimming beach, but for atmosphere, people-watching, and a gentle introduction to the coast after a desert drive, it’s hard to beat.
03
Best boardwalk vibe
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Bay • Lively Pier-Front Strand • Best For Classic Socal Energy
A busy, wide beach backed by a famous pier, bike path, and plenty of food and entertainment options.
Santa Monica State Beach is ideal if you want more than just sand and surf after the drive from California City. The beach itself is broad and easy to access, but the real appeal is the mix of the pier, nearby restaurants, and the beachfront bike and walking path that runs for miles along the bay. Expect crowds and a bit of chaos, but also the full Southern California beach-city experience in one place.
04
Best mellow family option
San Buenaventura State Beach
Ventura Beachfront • Easygoing City Beach • Best For Low-Key Families And Picnics
A relaxed Ventura shoreline with long sandy stretches, bike paths, and a less hectic feel than Los Angeles beaches.
San Buenaventura State Beach is a solid choice if you prefer a calmer scene after the drive from the high desert. The sand is wide and walkable, with space for beach games, easy wading on quieter days, and nearby picnic spots and paths. Ventura’s more low-key pace makes it simple to park, settle in, and let kids or friends roam without the intensity of the bigger city beaches farther south.
05
Best low-key local stretch
Silver Strand Beach
Oxnard Peninsula • Laid-Back Local Surf Beach • Best For Uncrowded Sunsets
A narrow but long neighborhood-backed beach favored by locals, with reliable surf and big-sky sunset views.
Silver Strand feels more like a lived-in beach neighborhood than a tourist stop, which can be refreshing after a long desert-to-coast drive. Houses sit right along the sand, surfers work the shifting peaks, and the vibe stays relaxed even on warm weekends. Come for a quieter walk, a sunset session, or to watch the waves roll in without the pier crowds and loud boardwalks.