Winter is still in the air, but that doesn’t stop Los Angelenos from flocking to the beach every day. In fact, temperatures are still pretty good in February, averaging about 69°F/21°C and sunny. And given that it’s off-peak travel season, it’s the best time to visit Los Angeles in the year. From surfing to beach volleyball to sunbathing, the beaches of Los Angeles have little bit of everything for everyone to enjoy, all the while getting that much-needed vitamin D.

This might come as a shocker, but despite growing up and living in Los Angeles almost my entire life, I actually don’t love the beach (gasp!). Even more shocking is that I actually grew up minutes from the beach, yet never have a huge desire to spend time there. It’s the idea of getting into the water (which may or may not be polluted) and getting sand stuck between my toes that makes a clean freak like myself reluctant to do so. And having spent some time at the beach during my childhood, I realized I don’t crave it as much as my peers do. Call me a bad Los Angeleno, will you? 😉

Even though I don’t love the beach, I don’t hate it, either. In fact, I appreciate it a lot more now than when I was younger. Going to the beach doesn’t mean you have to take a dip in the water or walk barefoot on the sand– in fact, you can enjoy it on the esplanade, on the strand, even on the boardwalk. What I’ve especially come to enjoy is strolling the pier, before grabbing a drink at one of the restaurants with views of the waves below. As I mentioned, the beach has a bit of everything for everyone to enjoy– even for those who aren’t as avid beach goers like myself.

I’ve done my fair share of visiting the beaches of Los Angeles throughout the years. While I haven’t seen all of them, I have seen a good handful to offer my favorites to check out if you ever visit Los Angeles. It’s important to note that I’m listing the beaches within the county, and this isn’t including some beaches that technically are outside of it (e.g. Huntington Beach, Ventura Beach). That said, here are the best beaches in Los Angeles for you to consider!

The Best Beaches in Los Angeles

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1. Palos Verdes

Now, this encompasses a spread of different beaches (Terranea, Abalone Cove) throughout the southernmost point of the county. These aren’t really beaches to surf or lounge at, given how rocky it is, but its the savage beauty that makes it so beautiful. Palos Verdes is a great place to hike and admire the views, as well as being a local’s spot (i.e. not many tourists). If you don’t mind a rocky beach and driving uphill for the most part, PV is for you.

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2. Malibu

Famous all over the world, Malibu offers that secluded and intimate feel given its distance from the rest of the county. Despite many tourists who visit, it still remains quiet and peaceful, with plenty of surfing spots and hikes from cliff to cliff. It’s a means away from wherever you are in Los Angeles, so regular trips every weekend can be a challenge (not to forget limited parking), but for that almost untouched beauty, it is worth it.

(Check out my Malibu post here)

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3. Hermosa Beach

The smallest of the collective “Beach Cities” (which includes Redondo and Manhattan Beach), Hermosa Beach has a very tight-knit, community feel– it’s a great place for people in their 20s and 30s to live, given that it’s walkable and has plenty of bars and clubs to enjoy at night. Granted, Hermosa might be too loud for those who have families and/or don’t enjoy the party scene, but for the young at heart, it’s a good time.

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4. Redondo Beach

Redondo has historically been a working-class beach town, although it has rapidly grown to be more upper-middle class over the years. Yet, it remains a humble, local spot for families, regardless of socioeconomic background, to enjoy a beautiful weekend on the sand. Some might find the Pier a bit gimmicky and run-down, and food options bland and limited, but for a family-friendly beach, Redondo is a solid choice.

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5. Venice Beach

Venice is known for its artsy and hippy community, including being a proponent for, well, selling weed at its dispensaries along the strand. Although it has sadly become a hotbed for homelessness (especially worse since the pandemic) and unsafety in the past couple of years, its vibrant and experimental atmosphere draws the alternative crowd, who’d otherwise be ostracized, to the beach as a fair opportunity to enjoy the LA sun.

Which beach would you want to visit in Los Angeles? Let me know, and have a great day!

— Rebecca

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Published by Rebecca

Blogger, world traveler, poet, foodie, part-time penguin. Welcome!

55 thoughts on “5 Best Beaches in Los Angeles You Need to See”

  5. Nice! Have you ever visited Laguna Beach and Crystal cove Beach? I personally like Crystal cove Beach better than Laguna Beach. But Laguna Beach has the Cafe I like, Urth Cafe.😊

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  8. I can relate! Although I live near beaches, I don’t go often (usually it’s too cold up here, even in summer!) In LA County, I’d have to say I like Manhattan Beach. Next time, I’d like to visit Hermosa Beach where they filmed La La Land!

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    1. Manhattan Beach is beautiful, but too…rich for me? Haha, it’s a great place for a nice stroll or brunch overlooking the pier. Hermosa Beach is a lot more humble in comparison, and I’d definitely recommend a visit over!

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  11. Palos Verdes and Malibu are my choices, both are absolutely gorgeous. The only one I would perhaps avoid is Hermosa since you mention that it’s a bit of a party haven and that’s not my cup of tea. I’m glad you found your way to enjoy the beach. Promenading along a pier, then enjoying a lovely dinner at a nice restaurant sounds like a great way to spend some time by the sea.

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    1. Yes, I highly recommend Malibu and PV! They’re my personal favorites, too. Hermosa can be a bit loud with the nightlife, but during the day, it’s quieter and more peaceful– the “laidback beach life,” you could call it. There’s a beach for everyone in LA!

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  13. They all look beautiful 🙂 Like you, I am not a huge fan of the beach – I hate the way the sand gets everywhere and when you have wet feet it just sticks to you like a paste. Plus then it goes all over the house and in shoes for weeks and is just annoying to clean up! That said, I’d happily transport out of freezing cold England right now to any one of those beautiful beaches 🙂

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  14. Lovely beaches.maybe better enjoyed in cooler weather because you can’t really swim that easily,right?like here😉 I tried swimming in the Atlantic ocean in Portugal and it was very difficult. But swimming in the Adriatic is very enjoyable

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    1. I think the beach is better enjoyed in warm weather than in cooler, just so a dip in the ocean is refreshing! I’ve heard the Atlantic Ocean is cold and not as hospitable to swim in, but here with the Pacific, it’s a lot more temperate; I imagine it’s the same with the Adriatic!

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  16. Wow. To me, 69 degrees is not nearly enough for going in the water or even just sunbathing. A few years ago I took a spring break trip to Tucson and when I sat by the pool in the mornings when it was in the high 60s/low 70s it was still pretty dang chilly. In the afternoons I could take off my coverup and just sit there in my bathing suit, but mornings not so much. Thankfully Jamaica, where we’ll be in a few weeks, is already at 85 degrees. Now that’s a beach temperature I can get behind! 🙂

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    1. Very true! Yes, I prefer warmer weather (say, 70F or more) to merit a dip in the water. But most Los Angelenos would go in the ocean no matter the temperature; guess we love the beach too much! 😂 Enjoy Jamaica!

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      1. Haha. Los Angelenos must be the West Coast equivalents of some Midwesterners. By “some Midwesterners” I mean those who start wearing shorts and t-shirts the first day in spring when temps hit 50 degrees. The rest of us shake our heads and think they’re crazy.

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  17. Great blog post Rebecca!
    I appreciate you sharing your personal experience with the beaches of Los Angeles and highlighting the unique characteristics of each beach.
    As someone who loves the beach, I find it interesting to see your perspective as someone who doesn’t necessarily enjoy going to the beach.
    Your suggestion to enjoy the beach on the esplanade, on the strand, or on the boardwalk is a great one for those who are like yourself.
    I also appreciate the information about each beach and the history behind them, such as the changes in Redondo Beach from a working-class beach town to a more upper-middle-class area and Venice Beach’s artsy and alternative atmosphere.
    Thank you for this informative and enjoyable read!

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  18. We’re the same! I go to the beach not bringing my swimsuit as I am more of just admiring it and the surroundings. Been to Venice (also during my first time ever in LA) and Malibu. I would like PV – the sight of the hiking trails appealed to me immediately.

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  19. I also don’t like to stay too long at the beach as I did as a child. For me it is now more a scenery than a place to spend the day. When I was in LA there was so much to see that I wouldn’t have thought to spend time at the beach.

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    1. I agree! I prefer to admire the beach at a distance, rather than get dirty on the shores…there’s definitely a lot to see in LA outside of its beaches, but I think the beaches are so quintessential to LA life that it would be a surprise not to have at least glimpsed them!

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  20. I’m also not a huge beach person despite growing up in a beach country (the nearest beach is just a trek to get to) so once or twice in the summer is enough for me. Plus sun safety so I don’t want to spend too long baking. Malibu looks very inviting. Are there cafe’s at these beaches? Seems like a lost opportunity if there isn’t!

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    1. Absolutely! There are tons of cafés dotted along the shores of the LA beaches, some of them my favorites. Malibu is a bit isolated, so the café options might be a bit limited, but still worth it!

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  22. I love the beauty of the beach; all of these look great. How in the world did you photograph most of them empty of a sea of humanity? As for walking along the beach, for me it’s a matter of deciding to get messy and sandy, or not. Shoes on or shoes off?

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    1. I went early or off-peak hours! Also, the beaches are wide enough that it’s possible to avoid capturing people in the background…I prefer just to walk the (paved) promenade and admire the sandy shores from a distance…with shoes on! 😉

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  26. This is such a great list and I would love to visit every single beach on your list. It would be an amazing experience to soak up the sunshine at the best beaches in L.A., including family-friendly shores and a surfer’s paradise. I love blue spaces and firmly believe that time spent near water is the secret to happiness. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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