01
Best overall pick
Long Beach City Beach
Long Beach Waterfront • Wide Urban Beachfront With Calm Water • Best Mix Of Convenience And Classic Beach Feel
A broad, mellow stretch of sand with a bike path, gentle water, and plenty of nearby amenities.
From Pico Rivera, Long Beach City Beach is often the easiest ocean day: wide sand, a long paved path for walking or biking, and generally smaller waves thanks to the offshore breakwater. Parking lots along Ocean Boulevard make access straightforward, and you can walk to casual spots in Bluff Park or up toward Belmont Shore for coffee or tacos. It’s a great default when you want a simple, low-stress beach outing that still feels like the real coast.
02
Closest small-town feel
Seal Beach Municipal Beach
Old Town Seal Beach • Laid-Back Small-Town Beach • Best For Relaxed, Slower-Paced Days
A compact, friendly beach framed by a pier and a walkable main street lined with low-key shops and cafés.
Seal Beach has a calmer, small-town atmosphere than many bigger LA and Orange County beaches, which makes it a nice choice for families or anyone who hates chaos. Park a few blocks back from the sand and stroll down Main Street for coffee, ice cream, or burgers before or after your time on the shore. The beach itself is straightforward—soft sand, a long pier, and usually manageable waves—so it’s easy to spend a whole afternoon here without over-planning.
03
Classic surf city experience
Huntington City Beach
Downtown Huntington Beach • Busy Surf-Focused Shoreline • Best For Surfers And People-Watching
A long, energetic beach with consistent waves, a landmark pier, and a lively scene along Pacific Coast Highway.
Huntington City Beach is where you go when you want the full Surf City USA vibe—surfers in the lineup, volleyball courts in the sand, and a constant buzz of activity. Parking is usually in large pay lots along PCH, and from there you can walk to the pier, hit the fire pits in designated areas, or cross to Main Street for tacos, brewpubs, and surf shops. It’s less about quiet and more about that classic Southern California beach energy, especially on summer weekends and event days.
04
Most polished strand
Manhattan Beach City Beach
Manhattan Beach Pier District • Upscale But Relaxed Strand • Best For Scenic Walks And Volleyball
A postcard-perfect beach with a long pier, busy volleyball courts, and a polished yet casual neighborhood just uphill.
Manhattan Beach attracts a steady mix of locals, athletes, and visitors, thanks to its clean sand, well-kept strand, and rows of volleyball courts. The walk along The Strand offers views of sleek beach houses and wide ocean horizons, and the pier’s small aquarium is an easy bonus stop. Parking can mean metered street spots or small lots on the hill, but the reward is a beach day that feels a bit more refined without being stuffy.
05
Best for a social day out
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza • Lively Social And Sports Beach • Best For Bar-Hopping And Beach Time In One Trip
A lively stretch of sand backed by a pedestrian plaza full of bars, cafés, and casual restaurants.
Hermosa Beach is a strong pick when you want your beach day to blend into dinner and drinks without moving your car. The sand here is broad and lively—volleyball games are almost always happening, and the paved path makes it easy to walk or bike up and down the coast. Just off the pier, Pier Plaza stays busy into the evening, so you can rinse off the sand and transition straight into a casual night out before heading back inland to Pico Rivera.