01
Closest city shoreline
Alamitos Beach
Downtown Long Beach Waterfront • Urban Waterfront Beach • Great For A Quick Lakewood Escape
A straight shot down Lakewood Boulevard, Alamitos Beach is often the easiest true ocean beach run from Lakewood.
You reach Alamitos Beach without much freeway time, and street parking is usually easier here than at some neighboring stretches. The wide sand, paved bike and walk paths, and views of the Queen Mary make it ideal for an evening stroll or casual beach day. It feels firmly city-side, so expect people-watching and a mixed local crowd rather than a secluded vibe.
02
Best for bike rides and walks
Long Beach City Beach (Junipero Beach)
Bluff Park / Junipero Avenue • Wide Family-Friendly Shoreline • Best For Long Walks And Bike Rides
This long, straight stretch of sand is made for unhurried walks, bike cruises, and low-key family time.
Below the bluffs at Junipero Avenue, Long Beach City Beach has a classic wide shoreline with a protected feel thanks to the offshore breakwater. The paved beachfront path runs for miles, so it is a strong pick if your ideal beach day includes walking, jogging, or renting bikes. Bring a chair, claim a patch of sand, and stay for the pastel sunsets over the harbor lights.
03
Most active local scene
Belmont Shore Beach
Belmont Shore • Energetic Neighborhood Beach • Best For Beach Sports And People-Watching
Belmont Shore Beach pairs wide sand and volleyball courts with a lively neighborhood just steps away on 2nd Street.
If you like your beach day with a bit of buzz, Belmont Shore is where locals play volleyball, bike, kiteboard, and walk their dogs along the path. The sand is broad and open, with plenty of space to set up for the afternoon while still feeling connected to the neighborhood. After the beach, you can wander 2nd Street for coffee, tacos, or a casual sit-down meal before heading back to Lakewood.
04
Safest water for kids
Mother's Beach (Marine Park)
Naples / Alamitos Bay • Calm Bayfront Beach • Best For Young Kids And Paddling
Tucked inside Alamitos Bay, Mother’s Beach has gentle, lake-like water that feels tailor-made for small children and first-time paddlers.
Because it sits on the bay rather than the open ocean, the water here is typically calm with only small ripples, making it less intimidating for toddlers and cautious swimmers. There is a playground right on the sand, lifeguards in season, and easy access for launching kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. For Lakewood families who want a low-stress water day, this is usually the easiest choice.
05
Classic small-town surf stop
Seal Beach
Old Town Seal Beach • Laid-Back Surf Town Beach • Best All-Around Day Trip
Seal Beach delivers a traditional SoCal beach day with a long pier, steady surf, and a relaxed Main Street a block from the sand.
A short hop down the 605, Seal Beach feels more like a small coastal town than a big city shoreline, which many Lakewood locals prefer for longer days at the coast. The main beach has consistent waves, a wide sandy area for spreading out, and a pier that is great for a sunset walk. Between the surf shops, cafes, and ice cream spots on Main Street, it is an easy place to linger well past your last dip in the ocean.