01
Best classic LA beach day
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica • Lively Pier-Side Beach • Best For First-Time Visitors
The postcard version of LA beach life, with wide sand, a busy pier, and plenty of nearby food and shopping.
If you only have time for one beach, this is the easiest crowd-pleaser, thanks to the broad shoreline, lifeguards, and the Santa Monica Pier steps away. Expect crowds, especially near the pier, but walk a few blocks north or south and it calms down fast. Parking is easiest in the beachfront lots early in the day, and the adjacent downtown streets make it simple to turn your beach trip into a full outing.
02
Iconic boardwalk scene
Venice Beach
Venice • Bohemian, People-Watching Beach • Best For Street Culture And Skateparks
Come for the gritty boardwalk energy, stay for the sunset over a surprisingly wide stretch of sand.
Venice is less about quietly reading a book and more about soaking up the drum circles, performers, skaters, and vendors along the Ocean Front Walk. The beach itself is huge, and if you walk closer to the water you can forget how busy the boardwalk is behind you. It’s an easy choice if you want a beach day that naturally rolls into bar-hopping or exploring Abbot Kinney in the evening.
03
Polished South Bay favorite
Manhattan Beach
South Bay – Manhattan Beach • Upscale Yet Laid-Back Surf Beach • Great For Volleyball And Brunch
A clean, sporty stretch of sand backed by tidy streets, beach volleyball courts, and a charming small-town downtown.
Manhattan Beach blends a neighborhood feel with a polished edge: think surfers in the lineup, locals jogging the Strand, and brunch spots a short walk uphill from the pier. The sand is soft, the beach slopes gently, and the volleyball courts keep the vibe active without feeling like a party scene. Metered street parking fills fast near the pier, so many locals aim for a morning visit and wander into town once the sun gets strong.
04
Wide open Malibu escape
Zuma Beach
Malibu – Zuma • Windy, Natural-Feeling County Beach • Best For Long Walks And Easy Parking
One of Malibu’s broadest, most relaxed beaches, with room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Drive up the coast and Zuma feels like you’ve left the city behind: long views, relatively undeveloped hillsides, and fewer hustle-and-bustle distractions. The beach is known for its consistent surf and strong currents, so it’s better for confident swimmers, but the wide, flat sand is perfect for strolling or setting up a full-day camp. Multiple large parking lots along the highway make logistics simpler than many other Malibu spots.
05
Dramatic coastal cove
El Matador State Beach
Malibu – El Matador • Rocky, Photogenic Pocket Beach • Great For Sunsets And Photos
A small, rugged cove framed by sea stacks and cliffs, more about scenery and exploring than laying out all day.
El Matador rewards a bit of effort: you hike down a steep staircase from a bluff-top lot to reach a pocket of sand dotted with arches and rock formations. It’s a favorite for photographers and couples chasing golden-hour light, so it can feel busy despite its size, but the dramatic setting still steals the show. Plan around the tides, bring sturdy shoes for scrambling, and treat this as a shorter, scenic stop rather than a full lazy beach day.