11 Best Beaches in Los Angeles

El Matador State Beach is the place to be if you're looking for beachfront beauty and stunning sights spanning from the sand to the water and the rocks. Everything at this beach seems to be in pristine condition, and many photographers head here to capture shots of the landscape or their models in front of it. You'll also find a range of natural caves in the area that can be accessed during low tide. The trail to the beach from the car park on the bluff has its fair share of eroding formations settled on the side of the bluff. You'll find this beach just south of Sunset Point and Charmlee Wilderness Park.

El Pescador State Beach is a relatively quiet and easily accessible beach in the Malibu area that's most popular with visitors looking to relax. Compared to the other beaches within Robert Meyer Memorial State Beach, El Pescador State Beach is easy to reach and offers the shortest trail from the car park to the beach itself. On the beach, you'll find rocky areas along with tide pools packed with fun discoveries to find. You can also reach El Sol Beach from here, which is a relatively secret beach that doesn't have its own direct access point yet. You'll find El Pescador State Beach by Lachusa Canyon and Los Alisos Canyon.

Dockweiler Beach is a 3.7-mile stretch of velvety sand spanning the LA coast. If you’re looking to escape the busier beaches – such as Venice Beach – Dockweiler is a relaxing alternative. It’s known for tranquil days in the sun and social gatherings in the evenings around many built-in fire pits.

Looking for a little action? The wind sports school on the beach is a great place to try hang gliding. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail along the shore is a popular beach-side path for cycling, rollerblading and jogging. Between dips in the ocean, you can also cast a line and try to catch a fish as shore fishing is permitted here.

Zuma Beach County Park is a massive beach with plenty of parking and room for large crowds to come and enjoy its sand, picnic areas, volleyball courts, and waters. It's about 2 miles long in total, and you'll find a car park with enough room to cover attendees for a sports stadium. You'll probably notice that this is one of the few beaches in Malibu that doesn't have houses between it and the highway, so it's a simple, straight shot to the water. You'll find lifeguard stations along the beach as well, which is particularly useful given the strong rip currents that can develop. You'll find this beach west up the coast from Point Dume.

Paradise Cove Beach is a stunning and popular Malibu beach that's most widely recognised as being the beach with the surfboards standing upright in the sand all around the area. Many films have been filmed here, thanks to the soft sand and sparkling water that's perfect for both swimming and surfing. Keep in mind, however, that you may want to get a ride-share or walk to this beach. Parking costs can be pretty steep unless you're eating at the on-site café and only staying for under 4 hours. You'll find this beach east of Point Dume and south of Escondido Falls.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach is a beach packed with exciting things to enjoy, including the beach itself, walking trails, and an on-site museum. On the beach, you'll find a surfing area and tidepools. You can also enjoy walking paths throughout the area and spots perfect for bird-watching. The Malibu Lagoon Museum makes its home here, and it showcases the rich history of the area from the days of the Chumash tribe up to the rise of the surfers. You'll find this beach by Malibu Point, just west of the Malibu Pier.

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is a beach on the Palos Verdes Peninsula that features impressive tide pools and an entire ecological preserve. Within the park are 3 distinct coves, each of which features its own beach and tide pools to explore. You may also want to check out the local rock tunnels at the edges of the coves to see the waves crash through as high tide approaches. You'll find this beach on the east side of Rancho Palos Verdes, south of the Filiorum Reserve and Three Sisters Reserve.

Manhattan Beach is a popular destination in the city of the same name where you'll find numerous dunes populated by scores of volleyball nets. Volleyball is one of the most popular pastimes, as the beach hosts the annual Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball Tournament every August. This beach is also popular with surfers. Not only does the beach see high waves, but the surfing conditions are so ideal that the International Surf Festival is also held here. You can find this beach just a few miles southwest of Los Angeles' city centre area, past Inglewood.

Leo Carrillo State Beach is a part of the larger park of the same name that offers small coves with privacy and beach access for all sorts of aquatic activities. When you visit, you can simply walk on the beach or go for a swim, but surfing and diving are also popular here. The wildlife here is fairly prominent, with wildlife watching being one of the most popular activities. You'll find all sorts of sea birds like pelicans and gulls along with marine mammals like grey whales if you visit in April and May. You'll find this beach a few miles west of Malibu on the other side of the road from Charmlee Wilderness Park.

Will Rogers State Beach is packed full of fun that surpasses the sand and surf, offering numerous volleyball nets and a bike trail in addition to the beach. The beach is separated into several sections, with the southern section measuring about 3 miles long. This section is also the most popular one and features plenty of sand and volleyball courts. In the central portion of the beach, you'll find short rock jetties, while the northern end offers a restaurant to enjoy. At this beach, you'll also find the end of the 22-mile-long Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail. Will Rogers State Beach is located on the western side of Pacific Palisades, just south of the Lake Shrine.

Redondo Beach has a bounty of offerings for those looking to surf, swim, go fishing, or play volleyball. The beach stretches for about half a mile and offers ample spots for swimming and surfing alike. Windsurfing is also quite popular in the area. On the sand, you'll find numerous volleyball nets you're free to use along with easily accessible facilities. Don't forget to check out the horseshoe-shaped pier that makes it easy to enjoy a bit of fishing on your visit. You'll find this beach a few miles southwest of city centre Los Angeles, next to Torrance.