01
Best overall pick
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Waterfront • Classic Southern California Beach • Best All-Around Choice
A wide, lively beach that delivers the quintessential LA ocean day with easy logistics from Glendale.
If you only have the energy for one big beach outing from Glendale, Santa Monica is the safe, crowd-pleasing choice. There’s ample sand, bike and pedestrian paths, and the pier for snacks and people-watching between swims. Parking can fill by mid-day on weekends, so locals often aim for a morning arrival and duck inland for dinner once the sun drops.
02
Best Malibu escape
Zuma Beach
Northern Malibu • Wide, Laid-Back Shoreline • Ideal For Long, Relaxed Days
A long, open stretch of sand with cleaner water, fewer high-rises, and a more relaxed feel than city beaches.
Zuma is the spot Glendale locals pick when they want to make the drive count and commit to a full beach day. The beach is spacious enough that you can spread out, with consistent waves for body surfing and lifeguard towers dotted along the shore. Bring your own shade and snacks, and plan your drive to miss rush-hour traffic on the way back over the hills.
03
Best for bonfires
Dockweiler State Beach
Playa Del Rey / Westchester Coast • Social, Fire-Pit-Friendly Stretch • Top Pick For Bonfires And Sunsets
A straightforward, no-frills beach best known for its fire pits and dramatic sunset views.
Dockweiler draws groups from across the east side thanks to its rare, legal fire rings right in the sand. It’s not the most scenic coastline in LA, but it shines after golden hour when the flames go up and planes take off in the distance. Arrive early if you want a fire pit on a summer weekend, and pack layers—the breeze can turn chilly fast once the sun dips.
04
Best for people watching
Venice Beach
Venice Boardwalk District • Lively, Eclectic Beachfront • Best For People-Watching And Street Energy
Come here as much for the boardwalk and characters as for the sand and surf.
Venice is the choice when you want your beach day to feel like a city outing with waves attached. The sand is wide enough, but the real show is on the path: skaters, street performers, Muscle Beach, and an almost constant stream of activity. Park a few blocks off the main drag if you can, then walk or bike the path when you’re ready for a quieter patch of sand.
05
Best low-key option
Will Rogers State Beach
Pacific Palisades / North Of Santa Monica • Relaxed Neighborhood Beach • Great Low-Key Alternative To Busier Spots
A calmer, less crowded stretch just up the road from Santa Monica that feels more local and laid-back.
Will Rogers State Beach is a smart pick if you like the convenience of Santa Monica but not the crush of the crowd. The parking lots back right up to the sand, and you still get access to the coastal bike path without the pier chaos. It’s especially good for families or anyone who wants an easy in-and-out beach day from Glendale without turning it into a major production.