01
Best overall pick
Santa Monica Beach
Westside – Santa Monica • Iconic, Activity-Packed Beach • Best All-Around Choice
Big, busy, and packed with a pier, bike path, and food options about a freeway hop away from Commerce.
If you want the classic LA beach day, Santa Monica is the sure bet: wide sand, lifeguard towers, and the Pacific Park ferris wheel in the background. Park in the lots by the pier or along Ocean Avenue cliffs and wander down for volleyball, bike rentals, and a stroll to the end of the pier. It is crowded and pricier for parking on summer weekends, so arriving early from Commerce pays off.
02
For sporty beach days
Manhattan Beach
South Bay – Manhattan Beach • Upscale Surf-Town Strand • Best For Active Locals
A polished South Bay stretch with consistent surf, endless volleyball courts, and a compact, walkable downtown right above the sand.
Manhattan Beach feels more low-key and refined than the big-name Westside beaches, with serious pickup volleyball games and surfers out early. The pier has a small aquarium at the end, and the streets uphill hide good coffee, tacos, and post-beach drinks. Street parking can be tight, so plan to circle side streets or use one of the downtown structures and be ready for a short walk downhill to the water.
03
Iconic boardwalk energy
Venice Beach
Westside – Venice • Lively, Creative Beachfront • Best For People-Watching
Murals, buskers, and a legendary skatepark sit just behind a broad stretch of sand and bike path.
Venice Beach is where the scene is the show: you get Muscle Beach, street performers, souvenir stands, and some of the best people-watching around. The sand itself is wide and good for a casual swim or tossing a frisbee, but most of the action is along the boardwalk and at the skatepark. Aim for the parking lots off Venice Boulevard or near Washington Boulevard and be ready for a louder, grittier vibe than other nearby beaches.
04
Low-key harbor vibe
Redondo Beach
South Bay – Redondo Beach • Relaxed Family-Friendly Strand • Best For Laid-Back Families
A softer, more local-feeling South Bay option with a horseshoe pier, calm shoreline, and casual seafood joints.
Redondo Beach suits slower days when you want an easier pace than Santa Monica or Venice. The broad sand near the pier works well for kids, and the waves are usually gentle enough for splashing in the shallows or trying a rental board on milder days. After the beach, wander the pier for churros, clam chowder in bread bowls, and harbor views that feel far removed from Commerce’s warehouse grid.
05
Bonfires at the shore
Dockweiler State Beach
Playa Del Rey / Lax Coast • Wide, Simple Urban Beach • Best For Sunsets And Fire Pits
A straightforward stretch of sand under the flight path that stands out for its legal fire rings and wide-open sunset views.
Dockweiler is not the quietest beach thanks to planes climbing out of LAX overhead, but it is one of the few spots where you can legally sit around a fire pit right on the sand. It is an easy choice for an after-work or weekend evening run from Commerce: arrive before sunset to claim a ring, then settle in with layers, snacks, and firewood. The beach is flat and exposed, so shade is limited during the day but the wide horizon makes dusk feel spectacular.