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The 10 Best Beaches in Los Angeles (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 10 picks

The best beaches in the LA area in 2026 are Santa Monica State Beach for the pier and easy access, Venice Beach for the boardwalk, El Matador for sea stacks and sunsets, Zuma for long open sand, and Manhattan Beach for volleyball and a walkable pier. Hermosa, Point Dume, Leo Carrillo, Abalone Cove and Will Rogers add surf, tide pools, dogs and quiet stretches.

LA's coastline runs from the Ventura County line at Leo Carrillo down through Malibu, the Santa Monica Bay and the South Bay to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Each stretch feels different, so this list is ordered by how well a beach works for a first visit and then spread across the coast.

Parking is the real cost at most LA beaches, and it varies by agency: county lots, state park lots, city lots and street meters all have different rules. Rates and hours change, so check the managing agency's page before you go. LA County Public Health posts water quality advisories, which are worth a look before swimming, especially after rain. Planning more of the trip? See our guides to the best hikes, best day trips and best hotels in LA.

1. Santa Monica State Beach — Santa Monica

Two miles of sand next to the pier, with lifeguards and easy transit.

Best for Families · Swimming · Sunset

Santa Monica State Beach runs about two miles along Pacific Coast Highway and is the most visitor-friendly beach in LA. The pier, the bike path and Ocean Avenue restaurants are all steps from the sand, and the park lists restrooms, showers, volleyball and basketball courts and EV charging.

Swimming and surfing are both popular here. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.

Good to know: Park in Beach Lot 1 North (1550 PCH): the city lists $20 per entry in summer and $8 weekdays or $12 weekends in winter, open 6 AM to 2 AM.

1550 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Google Maps Website

2. Venice Beach — Venice

Almost three miles of sand, the Ocean Front Walk boardwalk and Muscle Beach.

$ BudgetBest for Families · Photos · Swimming

Venice Beach is as much a scene as a beach. LA County describes almost three miles of coastline with a boardwalk lined with shops, eateries and street performers, plus Muscle Beach and its outdoor workout area.

The sand itself is wide and good for swimming, volleyball and surfing. The county lots are open 6 AM to 10 PM, and a free beach shuttle serves Venice.

Good to know: The county's three beach lots are at Rose Ave, Venice Blvd and Washington Blvd. Arrive before mid-morning on weekends or use the free beach shuttle.

Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

Google Maps Website

3. El Matador State Beach — Malibu

Malibu pocket beach with sea stacks, caves and some of the best sunsets.

Best for Photos · Sunset · Couples

El Matador is one of three pocket beaches in Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, along with La Piedra and El Pescador. Paths and stairs lead from the bluff to the sand, where rock arches and sea stacks make it a favorite for photos at sunset.

The state says the beaches can be crowded in summer but offer solitude in the off season. Dogs are not allowed.

Good to know: Parking is limited to the blufftop lot, open 8 AM to sunset, with a posted $10 vehicle day-use fee. Arrive early or on a weekday, and visit near low tide to explore.

32215 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

Google Maps Website

4. Zuma Beach — Malibu

County-run beach with 1.8 miles of sand, big surf and about 2,000 parking spaces.

$ BudgetBest for Families · Surfing · Swimming

Zuma is the largest beach in Malibu, with about 1.8 miles of frontage, restrooms, showers, food stands at each end and volleyball nets. LA County says the water is cooler than at other LA beaches and that surf and riptides can be strong.

In winter it is also a good spot to watch gray whales on their migration.

Good to know: The main lot has about 2,000 spaces across several lots at 30050 PCH. Stay near a lifeguard tower when swimming because of the rip currents.

30050 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

Google Maps Website

5. Manhattan Beach — Manhattan Beach, South Bay

Wide sand, volleyball courts and a pier at the end of a walkable downtown.

Best for Families · Swimming · Sunset

Manhattan Beach has a walkable downtown that ends at the pier, with a wide beach and volleyball courts to either side. Lifeguards cover the beach in daylight hours, and the pier is a popular spot for sunset.

The city runs the upper and lower pier lots as well as the county's El Porto and 27th Street lots, so parking rules differ lot by lot.

Good to know: Pier lots are metered and fill by late morning on summer weekends; try the El Porto lot north of the pier for a quieter, surf-oriented stretch.

1 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Google Maps Website

6. Hermosa Beach — Hermosa Beach, South Bay

Packed, social beach with a pier, the Strand and Pier Plaza nightlife.

Best for Families · Swimming · Sunset

Hermosa is the most energetic South Bay beach, with the Strand bike and walking path, a pier open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM and a main street of bars and restaurants at Pier Plaza.

The city says an average summer weekend can bring more than 100,000 people to the beach, and parking is extremely limited, especially during events.

Good to know: Metered city lots (A, B, C, D and G) and street meters are the options. Weekday mornings are far easier.

Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Google Maps Website

7. Point Dume State Beach — Malibu

Bluff trail with a whale-watching platform and a quieter beach below.

Best for Views · Photos · Sunset

Point Dume State Beach and Natural Preserve sits at the end of Westward Beach Road. A trail climbs a coastal bluff to a boardwalk and viewing platform, which is a good spot to see gray whales from December to mid-April.

Dogs are not allowed on the trails or beach, and visitors must stay on the trail to protect the dune.

Good to know: State Parks posted a notice on August 28, 2026 that the lower lot is unavailable because Westward Beach Road is closed, while the beach stays open. Free 2-hour parking is listed at the top of Point Dume. Check the park page first.

Westward Beach Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

Google Maps Website

8. Leo Carrillo State Park — Malibu

1.5 miles of beach with tide pools, caves, surf and a dog-friendly north end.

$ BudgetBest for Dogs · Families · Surfing

Leo Carrillo sits at the Ventura County line and has about 1.5 miles of beach for swimming, surfing and beachcombing, plus tide pools, reefs and coastal caves. The park also has a campground.

Leashed dogs are allowed on North Beach, north of Lifeguard Tower 3, but not on South Beach or backcountry trails.

Good to know: Day-use parking is open 8 AM to 10 PM; the state lists $12 per vehicle. For tide pools, go at low tide and watch the surf near the caves.

35000 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

Google Maps Website

9. Abalone Cove Shoreline Park — Rancho Palos Verdes, South Bay

Tide pools and a cove beach below the Palos Verdes bluffs.

$ BudgetBest for Families · Photos

Abalone Cove is a city park and reserve in Rancho Palos Verdes with tide pools inside a State Marine Conservation Area. It is the best place on this list for exploring marine life at low tide.

The city says several trails in the reserve are temporarily closed, so check its trail conditions page before you go.

Good to know: Parking is card-only: the first 30 minutes are free, then $6 up to 2 hours and $12 beyond. The lot is open 9 AM to 4 PM, so time your visit around the tide.

5970 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Google Maps Website

10. Will Rogers State Beach — Pacific Palisades

Long county-run beach below the Palisades with a quieter feel than Santa Monica.

$ BudgetBest for Families · Swimming

Will Rogers State Beach is operated by LA County and sits off Pacific Coast Highway near Temescal Canyon Road. It is a wide, long beach popular for swimming, volleyball and walking the bike path toward Santa Monica.

State Parks lists no current restrictions for the beach, but a wildfire-debris processing site was set up in its parking lot in 2025, so check current lot conditions before you go. Dogs are not allowed.

Good to know: Call LA County Beaches and Harbors at (424) 526-7777 or check its page for lot hours and rates before you drive up.

17700 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the best beach in Los Angeles?

For a first visit, Santa Monica State Beach is the easiest: it has the pier, lifeguards, restrooms and plenty of food within a short walk. For scenery, El Matador in Malibu has the sea stacks and caves. For wide, open sand and surf, Zuma is the usual pick.

Which LA beaches are best for swimming?

Lifeguarded, wide beaches like Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa and Zuma are the usual choices. Zuma is known for cooler water and strong surf and riptides, so swim near a lifeguard tower and check conditions first.

How much does it cost to park at LA beaches?

It ranges widely. Santa Monica's Lot 1 North lists $20 per entry in summer and $8 to $12 in winter. State park lots such as El Matador list $10 for a vehicle day-use fee and Leo Carrillo $12. Abalone Cove lists $6 for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Check each agency for current rates.

Are dogs allowed on LA beaches?

Mostly no. State Parks lists dogs as not allowed at Santa Monica State Beach, El Matador, Point Dume and Will Rogers State Beach. Leo Carrillo allows leashed dogs on North Beach, north of Lifeguard Tower 3, but not on South Beach.

What is the best time to go to the beach in LA?

Summer weekends are the busiest, and Hermosa alone can draw more than 100,000 people on an average summer weekend according to the city. Go on a weekday or early in the morning, and expect marine-layer fog at the coast in the morning during late spring and early summer.

Where can I see tide pools near LA?

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park in Rancho Palos Verdes has tide pools inside a State Marine Conservation Area, and Leo Carrillo has tide pools, reefs and coastal caves. Go at low tide and check tide predictions before you leave.

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