01
Best overall pick
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Waterfront • Iconic, Activity-Packed Strand • Best All-Around Choice
A classic SoCal beach with a bit of everything, from wide sand to the pier and bike path.
If you only make one beach run from La Cañada Flintridge, Santa Monica is the easiest crowd-pleaser. There’s ample sand for spreading out, the pier and nearby Third Street Promenade for food and shopping, and a paved path that’s ideal for biking or long walks. Go earlier in the day on summer weekends to beat both the traffic and the parking crunch.
02
Best full-day escape
Zuma Beach
Western Malibu • Wide Open Surf Beach • Best For Long Beach Days
A long, uncrowded-feeling stretch in Malibu that rewards the extra drive with space and cleaner water.
Zuma feels like a proper getaway from the foothills, with a wide ribbon of sand and fewer high-rise distractions. It’s popular with surfers and families who want room to spread out and stay put for the day. Pack a cooler, arrive with time to hunt out parking, and plan to linger through golden hour when the light over Point Dume is at its best.
03
Closest low-key option
Will Rogers State Beach
Pacific Palisades Shoreline • Relaxed, No-Fuss Stretch Of Sand • Easiest Quick Escape
A straightforward, less crowded beach just north of Santa Monica that’s ideal when you want sand without the scene.
Will Rogers is often a bit calmer than Santa Monica and feels more local, with fewer distractions and easier access from PCH. It’s a good pick if you’re coming from La Cañada Flintridge for a shorter outing and don’t need a pier or promenade. Lifeguard towers, volleyball courts, and views south toward the Santa Monica Pier keep it simple but classic.
04
Best beach-town vibe
Manhattan Beach
South Bay • Lively, Sporty Beach Town • Best For People-Watching
An upscale South Bay strand with volleyball courts, a scenic pier, and a walkable downtown just off the sand.
Manhattan Beach offers that polished beach-town feel, with tidy streets, great coffee and brunch spots, and constant pickup volleyball games. The Strand is perfect for walking or biking while you take in ocean views and some of the best homes-on-a-hill architecture in LA. It’s a fun choice when you want your beach day to blend seamlessly into dinner and drinks nearby.
05
Best for bonfires and planespotting
Dockweiler State Beach
Playa Del Rey And Westchester Bluffs • Casual, Bonfire-Friendly Shore • Best For Evening Hangs
A laid-back stretch famous for its fire pits and low-fuss vibe, with planes roaring overhead as the sun sets.
Dockweiler isn’t the prettiest beach in the region, but it’s hard to beat for a social evening by the ocean. The fire rings make it a go-to for s’mores, casual gatherings, and watching the sky shift colors while jets take off from LAX in the background. Arrive early to claim a pit, bring layers for the evening breeze, and treat it as an easygoing end to a day that started in the foothills.