01
Best overall beach day
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Oceanfront • Lively Classic Socal Beach • Ideal First Stop From Oak Hills
A big, busy stretch of sand with a famous pier, plenty of food options, and easy amenities that make a long drive from Oak Hills feel worthwhile.
Santa Monica State Beach works well for mixed groups, with a wide beach, the pier, and a walkable downtown all packed into one stop. Go early to snag parking near the pier and pick a spot north of it if you want a bit more room. After the sun, you can clean up and grab dinner just a few blocks inland without moving your car.
02
Best wide-open shore
Zuma Beach
Malibu Coast • Broad, Laid-Back Sandy Strand • Great For Classic Beach Days
A long, uncrowded-feeling Malibu beach with room to spread out, good waves, and plenty of paid parking along the highway.
If you’re escaping Oak Hills heat and want space, Zuma’s long shoreline and deep sand make it easy to find your own patch. It feels a bit cooler and less chaotic than city beaches, but still has lifeguards, restrooms, and snack stands in season. Pack a picnic, a shade canopy, and plan a slow sunset drive back through the canyon roads.
03
Best for exploring
Leo Carrillo State Park Beach
North Malibu • Rocky Coves And Tide Pools • Top Pick For Tide Pools And Photos
A more rugged coastal stretch where kids and photographers trade blanket time for caves, rock arches, and tide pools at low tide.
Leo Carrillo is a good choice when you’ve done the typical pier beaches and want something more natural. The small coves, rock formations, and tide pools feel a world away from the High Desert, especially at sunrise or late afternoon. Check tide charts before you go and wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet while scrambling over rocks.
04
Best for dining and people-watching
Manhattan Beach
South Bay • Trendy Pier-Front Beach • Great For Couples And Grown-Up Groups
An upscale-feeling beach with a classic pier, volleyball courts, and a compact downtown full of cafes and bars steps from the sand.
Manhattan Beach is ideal if your group wants more than just sand and surf after a long drive from Oak Hills. The strand is perfect for walking or biking, and the volleyball scene adds energy without feeling like a party beach. Wrap up your day with dinner overlooking the pier before tackling the drive back up the Cajon Pass.
05
Best surfy scene
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach Coast • Active Surf Town Beach • Best For Surfers And Long Walks
A wide, energetic “Surf City” beach with consistent waves, a long pier, and miles of sand for walking, biking, or just people-watching.
Huntington City Beach works especially well if someone in your group surfs or wants to rent a board and try. The wide beach and paved path make it easy to roam, and there are plenty of spots to grab burgers, tacos, or coffee around Main Street. Aim for an early arrival from Oak Hills to secure parking near the pier and enjoy cooler morning sessions before the afternoon winds pick up.