01
Closest coastal escape
Seal Beach
Seal Beach Pier District • Laid-Back Small-Town Beach • Closest Full-Service Beach To La Mirada
A mellow, family-friendly stretch of sand with an old-school pier and walkable Main Street just behind the dunes.
Seal Beach is usually the quickest way for La Mirada locals to hit the ocean, with a wide, gently sloping shoreline that works well for kids and casual swimmers. The wooden pier, small downtown, and low-rise cottages keep it feeling more like a beach town than a resort strip. Plan to park once, then split your time between the sand, the pier, and the cafés and ice cream spots along Main Street.
02
Best for bonfires
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Bolsa Chica / Pacific Coast Highway • Wide State Beach With Fire Rings • Top Spot For Groups And Sunset Hangs
A long, open shoreline north of Huntington with space to spread out, bike, and linger around evening fire pits.
Bolsa Chica State Beach draws La Mirada groups who want an easy setup for cookouts and sunset bonfires, thanks to plentiful fire rings and large parking lots along PCH. The beach is broad and flat, so it rarely feels crowded even on busy days, and the adjacent bike path makes it simple to stretch your legs. It’s a practical choice when you care more about hanging out together than browsing shops or bar-hopping after the sun goes down.
03
Classic surf city energy
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach Pier & Downtown • Lively Surf City Shoreline • Best For People-Watching And Surf Culture
An energetic, surf-centric beach anchored by a big pier and a downtown packed with bars, restaurants, and shops.
If you want the full Southern California beach postcard near La Mirada, Huntington City Beach delivers: consistent surf, volleyball courts, and a pier that’s busy from morning through golden hour. The scene skews lively rather than quiet, with surfers, cyclists, and day-trippers all sharing the same stretch of coast. It’s a strong pick when your beach day doubles as a night out, with plenty of food and drink options just inland from the sand.
04
Scenic day-trip pick
Newport Beach – Balboa Peninsula
Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach • Polished But Relaxed Oceanfront And Harbor Area • Best Mix Of Harbor Views And Oceanfront
A polished peninsula where wide ocean beaches sit a short stroll from the harbor, fun zone, and bayfront boardwalks.
Balboa Peninsula makes a slightly longer but rewarding drive from La Mirada, especially if you want a beach day that feels like a mini-vacation. The ocean side offers broad sand, consistent waves, and a long bike path, while the bay side stays calmer for strolling and watching boats. Add in the Balboa Fun Zone, ferry rides, and plenty of casual eateries, and you get a full day’s worth of variety without having to move your car more than once.
05
Calmest water for kids
Belmont Shore Beach
Belmont Shore, Long Beach • Calm Urban Beachfront With Mellow Waves • Great For Beginners And Casual Swimmers
A protected Long Beach shoreline with gentler water, a paved path, and a lively neighborhood just a few blocks inland.
Belmont Shore Beach trades big surf for calmer water, which suits younger kids, tentative swimmers, and anyone who prefers an easy wade to being knocked around by waves. The wide path behind the sand is popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists, and the offshore breakwater keeps conditions relatively smooth. When you’re done with the beach, 2nd Street’s dense strip of cafés, bars, and independent shops gives you plenty of post-swim options before heading back to La Mirada.