01
Best overall pick
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica • Classic Pier-Front City Beach • Best All-Around Day Trip
A big, busy stretch of sand with a little bit of everything, from the pier to bike rentals and easy food options.
If you only make one beach run from East L.A., Santa Monica is the most versatile choice. Wide sand, lifeguards, restrooms, and a long path for biking or skating make it easy for mixed groups, and the pier area keeps kids and first-time visitors entertained. Traffic can be heavy on weekend afternoons, so Eastsiders do best heading out early and aiming for one of the beachfront lots north of the pier.
02
Most colorful scene
Venice Beach
Venice • Bohemian Boardwalk Beach • Best For People-Watching
Street performers, murals, skate park energy, and a busy strip of sand make Venice feel more like a neighborhood than a simple beach.
Venice is the move when you want the beach and a full dose of L.A. character in one stop. The Ocean Front Walk is lined with vendors, Muscle Beach, and a legendary skate park, while the sand itself is roomy enough to stretch out once you’ve had your fill of the boardwalk. It’s not the quietest choice, but for Eastside visitors looking for a high-energy, only-in-L.A. afternoon, it delivers.
03
Polished South Bay option
Manhattan Beach
South Bay (Manhattan Beach) • Upscale Neighborhood Beach • Best For A Relaxed Date Or Brunch-And-Beach Day
A clean, sporty stretch of coast backed by walkable streets, good coffee, and low-key but polished beach-town energy.
Manhattan Beach feels a notch more refined than the busier tourist beaches, with well-kept homes lining the strand and locals packing the volleyball courts. Park up on the hill or near the pier, stroll through downtown for brunch or a drink, then wander down to the sand. For East L.A. residents willing to drive a bit farther, it’s a great place to combine ocean time with a slow, walkable afternoon in town.
04
Best for bonfires
Dockweiler State Beach
Playa Del Rey / Lax Coast • Laid-Back Wide-Open Shoreline • Best For Sunset Hangs And Fire Pits
A broad strip of sand under the flight path with fire pits, bike paths, and fewer crowds than the big-name pier beaches.
Dockweiler is the go-to for Eastsiders who want an after-dark beach hang without driving all the way to Malibu. The wide, flat sand and official fire rings make it ideal for group bonfires, with restrooms and pay parking steps from the shore. You will hear planes overhead, but the tradeoff is easier access off the 105 and a more relaxed, local crowd as the sun goes down.
05
Closest coastal feel
Junipero Beach (Long Beach City Beach)
Long Beach • Urban Waterfront Beach • Easiest Drive From The Eastside
A gently sloping city beach with mellow water, bike paths, and a more relaxed vibe that’s closer to East L.A. than most westside shores.
Junipero Beach gives East L.A. residents a quicker route to the water via the 710, with a long shoreline that’s ideal for walks, casual swims, and low-key picnics. The offshore breakwater keeps surf small, which suits families and anyone who prefers calm water over big waves. Pair a few hours on the sand with a stop in nearby Retro Row or Downtown Long Beach for coffee, food, or a post-beach drink.