01
Best overall pick
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Oceanfront • Lively, Full-Service City Beach • Best For First-Time Visitors
A big, classic SoCal beach with a wide sandy shoreline, a busy pier, and plenty to do before and after you hit the water.
From Montebello, Santa Monica is the quintessential payoff for the drive west: long, soft sand, lifeguard stands, bike paths, and that postcard-ready pier. It works just as well for a casual blanket-and-umbrella day as it does for a full outing with rides, shopping, and restaurants. Go early on summer weekends to beat both the crowds and the hunt for parking.
02
Best for bonfires
Dockweiler State Beach
Playa Del Rey / Lax Corridor • Wide, Mellow Beach With Fire Pits • Great For Evening Hangouts
A broad stretch of sand known for its fire rings, sunset views, and the roar of planes lifting off nearby.
Dockweiler is a go-to from the east side when you want a chill beach day that turns into a campfire night. The fire pits line the sand, so you can stake one out in the afternoon and stay put for sunset and s'mores. Expect jet noise from the nearby airport, but many locals see it as part of the beach's offbeat charm.
03
Best urban shoreline
Long Beach City Beach
Downtown Long Beach Shoreline • Calmer Bayfront-Style Beach • Best For Relaxed Swims And Bike Rides
A sheltered-feeling city beach with a long bike path, gentle water, and easy access to cafes and neighborhoods nearby.
Facing the breakwater and offshore islands, Long Beach City Beach usually has smaller, gentler waves than the open-ocean stretches up the coast. That makes it appealing if you want to wade, paddle, or just let kids play near the edge without heavy surf. The beachfront path is ideal for a stroll or bike ride before you cut back inland to Montebello.
04
Best for a polished South Bay vibe
Manhattan Beach
South Bay - Manhattan Beach • Scenic, Upscale Beach Town Strand • Great For Pier Walks And People-Watching
A clean, photogenic beach with a classic pier, strong surf, and a lively small-town center just up the hill.
Manhattan Beach delivers that polished South Bay feel, with tidy streets, solid beach volleyball action, and plenty of spots for an iced coffee or post-swim meal. The sand is soft, the pier is perfect for a quick walk, and sunsets here can be spectacular. Parking is tighter than at some bigger lots, so patience and a bit of circling may be required on prime days.
05
Best laid-back day trip
Hermosa Beach
South Bay - Hermosa Beach • Relaxed, Walkable Beach Town • Local Favorite For Casual Beach Days
A friendly, easygoing stretch of sand anchored by a pedestrian pier plaza and a flat beachfront path.
Hermosa Beach feels a touch more low-key than some of its neighbors while still offering plenty of energy around the pier. The Strand path runs right along the sand, so you can mix in a bike ride or long walk with your time by the water. It's a solid choice if you want a straightforward beach day from Montebello with good people-watching and an easy, park-once setup.