01
Best overall pick
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica • Classic Socal Pier Beach • Best All-Around Day Trip
A broad, lively beach with a pier, bike path, and plenty of food and nightlife just steps from the sand.
From West Hollywood, Santa Monica is the easiest 'big' beach day: straight shot west and you’re on wide sand with lifeguards, restrooms, and plenty of room to spread out. The pier and bike path keep things busy, but it’s simple to walk north or south to find quieter space. Parking is plentiful in lots along the beachfront, so you can roll up, park once, and not have to think about your car again.
02
Iconic scene
Venice Beach
Venice • Bohemian Boardwalk Beach • Top Pick For People-Watching
Street performers, murals, and a wide, sandy shoreline make Venice the beach to choose when you want energy and edge.
Venice is less about quietly reading a book and more about soaking in the spectacle, from skaters and muscle beach lifters to musicians and vendors. The sand itself is wide and great for a swim or a casual game, but most of the character sits on the boardwalk and nearby streets. Time your visit for late afternoon and you can wander Abbot Kinney or the canals after your beach session.
03
Laid-back option
Will Rogers State Beach
Pacific Palisades • Relaxed Family Shoreline • Best For Low-Key Afternoons
A quieter strip of sand just north of Santa Monica with easier parking and a more local, mellow feel.
If you like the idea of Santa Monica’s scenery but not the crowds, Will Rogers is a smart alternative. The sand is just as inviting, but the vibe skews more local, with families, joggers, and volleyball players instead of heavy tourist traffic. It’s a good choice when you want to park close to the sand, take an easy swim, and be back in West Hollywood before traffic thickens.
04
Day-trip escape
Zuma Beach
Malibu • Wide, Windswept Coastal Expanse • Great For Long Beach Days
A spacious Malibu favorite with big-sky views, room to spread out, and a more natural feel than the city beaches.
Zuma takes a bit longer to reach from West Hollywood, but the payoff is a full-on coastal escape that feels far from the city. The beach stretches for what feels like miles, so it’s easy to find space even on busy weekends, and the water tends to be cleaner and clearer than inside the bay. Pack snacks or plan a stop at a Malibu café on the way back for a day that feels like a mini vacation.
05
Sporty coastal town
Manhattan Beach
South Bay • Upscale, Sporty Beach Town • Best For Beach Volleyball And Dining
A polished South Bay beach with a photogenic pier, serious volleyball scene, and walkable streets packed with restaurants and bars.
Manhattan Beach is ideal if you want your beach time paired with good food and a lively but not chaotic town feel. The sand is clean and sloped, great for a dip, and the strand path is perfect for a stroll or bike ride with Pacific views. After sunset, you can head up into the compact downtown for dinner and drinks before cruising back to West Hollywood.