01
Best overall pick
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Waterfront • Classic Wide City Beach • Best All-Around Pick
If you only have time for one beach from Westwood, make it Santa Monica.
A straight shot down Wilshire or Santa Monica Boulevard, this is the go-to option for an easy, no-guesswork beach day. Wide stretches of sand, lifeguards, bike rentals, and the Santa Monica Pier give you plenty to do whether you want to swim, stroll, or just park a towel and people-watch. Aim for earlier in the day or golden hour to dodge the heaviest crowds and snag better parking.
02
Closest low-key escape
Will Rogers State Beach
Pacific Palisades Shoreline • Low-Key Stretch Of Sand • Great For Relaxed Afternoons
Just north of Santa Monica, Will Rogers feels calmer but is nearly as convenient from Westwood.
Skip the boardwalk buzz and head a few minutes up Pacific Coast Highway to this mellow alternative. The sand is just as soft, but the crowds thin out, making it easier to find space for a beach game or a quiet nap with a book. It’s a solid pick for casual swimmers, light surf, and sunset walks without the carnival atmosphere of the pier.
03
Most iconic boardwalk scene
Venice Beach
Venice Boardwalk • Lively Urban Beachfront • Best For People-Watching
Venice is where you go when the beach is only half the reason you came.
From Westwood, head down Venice Boulevard and you trade campus life for street performers, skateparks, and murals in under half an hour. The sand and surf are solid, but the real draw is the energy along the Boardwalk and Muscle Beach. It’s ideal when you want to mix a quick swim with coffee stops, shopping on Abbot Kinney, and a sunset bike ride along the path.
04
Worth-the-drive coastal day trip
Zuma Beach
Malibu • Expansive, Surf-Friendly Beach • Worth-The-Drive Escape
Zuma rewards the longer drive from Westwood with cleaner water, more space, and a more relaxed Malibu feel.
Give yourself the extra time on PCH and treat this as a proper beach day rather than a quick dip. Zuma’s long, wide shoreline means you can almost always spread out, and the waves tend to please both casual body surfers and dedicated board riders. Pack a cooler, arrive late morning, and stay through sunset for the full Malibu experience before heading back over the hill.
05
Best for bonfires and plane-spotting
Dockweiler State Beach
El Segundo / Playa Del Rey • Social Beach With Fire Pits • Best For Bonfires And Night Hangs
If your ideal beach time is more about hanging out than working on a tan, Dockweiler is your spot.
A bit south of Venice, Dockweiler is famous for its fire pits and constant stream of planes lifting off from LAX overhead. It’s less about picturesque scenery and more about gathering a group, grilling, and hanging out into the evening. Go with friends, bring layers for the coastal chill after dark, and arrive early on weekends if you’re hoping to claim a pit.