01
Best overall pick
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Shoreline • Lively All-Purpose City Beach • Best All-Around Day Trip
A classic SoCal stretch with plenty of sand, people-watching, and easy amenities, ideal for a first beach choice from Monterey Park.
From Monterey Park, Santa Monica is a straightforward hop across the 10, and the payoff is a huge, well-maintained beach with restrooms, bike paths, and food within steps. Park near the pier if you want amusement-park energy, or head north of it for a slightly calmer vibe on the sand. Weekday mornings and late afternoons are your best bet to skip the heaviest traffic and crowds.
02
Best for active beach days
Manhattan Beach
South Bay / Manhattan Beach • Sporty, Upscale Beach Town • Top Pick For Volleyball And Pier Views
A polished South Bay beach with a long pier, volleyball courts, and walkable cafes that reward the extra drive from the San Gabriel Valley.
Manhattan Beach feels like a beach-town postcard, with volleyball games lined up along the sand and surfers working the waves near the pier. From Monterey Park, it’s a bit farther than Santa Monica, but parking in the residential streets above the beach can be easier than you’d expect on non-summer weekdays. After a few hours on the sand, stroll inland for coffee, tacos, or a sit-down meal along Manhattan Beach Boulevard or Manhattan Avenue.
03
Best for bonfires
Dockweiler State Beach
Westchester / Playa Del Rey • Casual Beachfront With Fire Pits • Best For Bonfire Nights
Known for its rare on-the-sand fire pits, Dockweiler is the place to end a Monterey Park beach day around the flames.
Dockweiler’s wide, flat sand and direct parking lots make it one of the more no-fuss beaches to reach after crossing town from Monterey Park. The big draw here is the ring of concrete fire pits, which locals stake out early on weekends for sunset hangouts and s’mores sessions. Plan on airplane noise from nearby LAX, but if you’re focused on grilling, music, and friends, it fades into the background quickly.
04
Best classic surf scene
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach Shoreline • Surf-Centric, Lively Pier Beach • Best For Surf Culture And Long Walks
A broad Orange County stretch with steady waves, a long pier, and a walkable downtown that makes a longer drive from Monterey Park worthwhile.
If you don’t mind a bit more freeway time, Huntington City Beach delivers the full ‘Surf City’ experience with consistent waves and a deep sandline. Park near the pier to be close to restrooms, rentals, and the restaurants that line Main Street just inland. It’s an easy choice if your group includes both surfers and non-surfers who want to browse shops, grab a drink, and still be within a few minutes’ walk of the water.
05
Best scenic escape
El Matador State Beach
Malibu Coast • Dramatic Cove With Sea Stacks • Best For Photos And Romantic Sunsets
A small, rugged Malibu cove with sea caves and rock formations that feels a world away from the freeways of Monterey Park.
El Matador is farther than the standard Santa Monica run, but the payoff is a compact cove framed by cliffs, arches, and sea stacks that seems made for photographers. Be prepared for a steep, sandy path down from the clifftop parking lot and limited space at high tide, which keeps this beach from feeling like a casual all-day hang with big groups. Time your visit for golden hour if you want that classic Malibu sunset glow bouncing off the rocks.