The 12 Best Beaches in Los Angeles: A Westside Local’s Ranking

Los Angeles has 75 miles of coastline, but let’s be honest: most of us go to the same three beaches and call it a day. We decided to rank the twelve best beaches in LA — with a Westside bias we’re not going to apologize for — based on the things that actually matter: water quality, crowd levels, parking, vibe, and whether you’d actually bring a friend visiting from out of town.

The Top Tier

1. Santa Monica State Beach (South of the Pier). The north side is a tourist scene. The south side, between Bay Street and Ocean Park, is where locals go. Wider sand, fewer crowds, better volleyball courts, and a straight shot to Main Street for post-beach tacos. The water quality is consistently rated among the best on the LA coast. Metered parking on Barnard Way fills by 11am in summer — bike or take the Metro E Line instead.

2. El Matador State Beach. The most beautiful beach in LA, and it’s not particularly close. Sea stacks, rock formations, hidden coves, and water so clear it looks photoshopped. The tradeoff: a steep staircase down the bluff, limited parking ($8 lot fills early), and no lifeguard. Best at low tide when the coves connect. This is the beach for the person who thinks LA beaches are overrated — it will change their mind.

3. Manhattan Beach. The South Bay’s crown jewel. Clean sand, excellent waves, a walkable downtown with actual good restaurants, and a pier that feels like a real beach town instead of an amusement park. The Strand bike path runs right through. Parking is tight but the residential streets a few blocks back usually have something. The water is cold year-round. Wetsuits aren’t optional.

“The best beach in LA is the one you can get to on a Tuesday without sitting in traffic. Everything else is a weekend project.”

The Westside Essentials

4. Venice Beach (North of Rose Ave). Forget the boardwalk. Walk north of Rose Avenue and Venice Beach becomes something completely different: wide, uncrowded sand, good surf, and a mellow energy that feels more like a small beach town than a tourist attraction. The break at the jetty is where local surfers go. The sunset from here, looking back at the Santa Monica Mountains, is the best free show in LA.

5. Will Rogers State Beach. The Pacific Palisades beach that everyone drives past on PCH without realizing it’s one of the best in the city. A mile and a half of wide, clean sand with lifeguards, a concession stand, and enough space that it never feels packed. The parking lot ($8–$13) is easy in and out. This is the family beach — gentle waves, no riptide drama, and a vibe that says “bring the cooler.”

6. Mother’s Beach, Marina del Rey. A protected cove in the marina with zero waves, warm water, and the safest swimming conditions in LA. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the beach where parents with small kids can actually relax. There’s a playground, picnic areas, and a parking lot that rarely fills. The water is calm enough to paddleboard without worrying about sets.

Worth the Drive

7. Point Dume. The dramatic bluff at the end of Westward Beach in Malibu. Hike the short trail to the top for whale-watching in winter and spring, or stick to the beach below for some of the best tide pools on the coast. The cove at the base of the point is a protected marine reserve. Parking at Westward Beach lot, $8.

8. Zuma Beach. Malibu’s biggest beach and the one that delivers the classic Southern California experience: two miles of sand, consistent waves, lifeguard towers every hundred yards, and a parking lot big enough to actually accommodate the crowd. The water is cleaner than Santa Monica, the sand is softer, and the drive up PCH is half the fun.

9. Hermosa Beach. The South Bay’s party beach. The Strand is packed with volleyball players, runners, and people carrying surfboards. The downtown is walkable and full of bars. It’s not the most tranquil beach experience, but if your vibe is “active, social, and within walking distance of a good IPA,” this is your spot. Comedy & Magic Club is right there for the evening.

The Hidden Gems

10. Dockweiler State Beach. The only beach in LA where bonfires are legal. Bring a firepit ring (or claim one of the 60 concrete pits), pack some wood and marshmallows, and sit by a fire on the sand watching planes take off from LAX directly overhead. It sounds absurd. It is absurd. It’s also one of the most memorable experiences in LA. Go on a weeknight to guarantee a pit.

11. Abalone Cove. A hidden tide pool preserve on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The trail down is moderate, the cove is small and rocky, and the tide pools are the best in LA County. Sea anemones, hermit crabs, starfish — it’s a marine biology classroom with an ocean view. Parking is $6. Go at low tide or don’t go at all.

12. Leo Carrillo State Beach. The farthest beach on this list (45 min from Santa Monica) and the one that feels least like LA. Sea caves, natural rock arches, tide pools, and a campground right on the bluff. The north end has caves you can walk through at low tide. It’s the beach for people who want to feel like they left the city without actually leaving the county.