01
Best overall pick
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Shoreline • Lively, Amenity-Packed Beach • Best All-Around Beach Day
A classic SoCal strand with a wide sandy beach, a famous pier, and plenty to do before and after your swim.
If you want that postcard Southern California experience, Santa Monica is the easiest one-stop option from Monrovia. The beach itself is broad and flat, with bike paths, volleyball courts, and lifeguards, plus the pier and Third Street Promenade close by for food and shopping. Aim for an earlier start from the San Gabriel Valley to beat both traffic and the afternoon crowds.
02
Classic South Bay choice
Manhattan Beach
South Bay – Manhattan Beach • Upscale Surf And Volleyball Beach • Best For An Active Seaside Afternoon
A polished South Bay beach with strong surf, a photogenic pier, and a compact downtown just up the hill.
Manhattan Beach is where Monrovia locals go when they want a more refined but still laid-back beach day. The sand is clean, the surf is reliable, and the paved Strand makes it easy to walk, jog, or bike alongside the ocean. After the water, grab coffee, tacos, or a sit‑down dinner in the walkable downtown a few blocks from the sand.
03
Scenic Malibu escape
Zuma Beach
Malibu – Zuma Area • Wide, Scenic Escape Beach • Best For Space And Scenery
A long stretch of Malibu sand where you can usually find room to spread out and enjoy open-ocean views.
Zuma is a bit farther from Monrovia, but the tradeoff is a more relaxed, open feel than the busier city beaches. The sand stretches for what feels like miles, with multiple parking lots and lifeguard towers, so it rarely feels packed if you’re willing to walk a bit. It’s a good pick when you want cooler temps, a long shoreline walk, and fewer pier-side distractions.
04
Best for bonfires
Dockweiler State Beach
Playa Del Rey / Lax Coast • Casual Bonfire And Plane-Watching Beach • Best For Evening Hangs And Bonfires
A straightforward strip of sand that stands out for its concrete fire rings and up-close views of departing planes.
Dockweiler is often one of the more practical options from Monrovia if your priority is a sunset hang with a fire pit. The beach itself is simple—flat sand, bike path, and waves—but the dedicated fire rings make it an easy choice for group gatherings. Arrive on the earlier side to claim a ring, especially on summer weekends and warm evenings.
05
Orange County favorite
Huntington City Beach
Orange County – Huntington Beach • Classic Orange County Surf Beach • Best For Classic Surf-Town Vibes
A broad, energetic beach anchored by a long pier and a walkable downtown that leans into its Surf City identity.
If you don’t mind heading a bit south from Monrovia, Huntington City Beach delivers that big-sky, longshore feel with an unmistakable surf culture. The pier area is lively, with surfers working both sides of the pilings and plenty of people-watching along the promenade. Grab a parking spot near the pier and plan time to wander Main Street’s shops and casual restaurants before heading back inland.