The 9 best beaches in Los Angeles, California

From the indescribable west coast sunsets at El Matador Beach to the vibrant energy in Venice Beach, Los Angeles is home to some of the country's best beaches. Beach culture is deeply ingrained in the city's identity, attracting local and tourist beachgoers, surfers, sunbathers and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. 

During a trip to LA, you could go to a different beach every day and meet a whole new side of the city's personality. Embrace hippie vibes and surf bum culture, or feel your jaw drop at posh celebrity homes by the water. You can often spot sea lions or dolphins dancing in the waves, and there are endless places to enjoy some of the best food in the city right by the water. 

Whether you're looking for relaxing solitude, overnight camping with the family or the best surf spots, Los Angeles has a beach for you. These are our favorites.

1. Carbon Beach (Billionaire's Beach)

Best for a quiet day out

Advertisement

Carbon Beach is a secluded, little-known seaside in Malibu, often referred to as Billionaire's Beach due to its high concentration of very wealthy homeowners and celebrities with lavish properties along the exclusive beachfront. In the past, some locals have put up signage to suggest the area is private, however, the beach itself is public and a great spot for swimming and uninterrupted relaxation in the soft sand. Billionaire's Beach features three access points, but be on the lookout as the brown signs can be easy to miss.

Following your beach day, head to the famed Nobu Malibu. For something a little more casual, Malibu Farm, found on Malibu Pier, is a great option for lunch or dinner.

Planning tip: While the serenity is like nothing else at Carbon Beach, note that there are no restrooms and other facilities are very limited.

• Location: Carbon Beach is centrally located in Malibu right of Pacific Coast Highway.

• Parking:  There is metered parking along the highway and a few state park lots are located nearby.  

• Hours: Sunrise to sunset

2. El Matador Beach

Best for photos

El Matador is one of Los Angeles' most picturesque beaches. Known for its rugged cliffs, unique rock formations and pristine beauty, it's a haven for photography enthusiasts, especially during sunset. Golden hour at El Matador is unmatched, with a resplendent glow that radiates off the rocks and creates a romantic ambience. Tide pool exploration is also encouraged on the northern end during low tide, where you may find marine organisms, including anemones, sea stars, hermit crabs, small fish and the odd octopus.

Planning tip: Note that El Matador is not easy to get to for people with mobility issues. Accessing the beach requires a walk down a steep pathway and a flight of stairs. Swimming and surfing are also not recommended in most areas.

•  Location: El Matador beach is located within Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach and sits along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. 

• Parking: Parking at El Matador Beach is three US dollars (US$3) per hour or US$10 for the day. But thanks to the new partnership between California State Parks and the California State Library, you can get free parking at more than 200 state parks, including El Matador, with your library card.

• Hours: 8am to sunset

3. Leo Carrillo State Beach

Best for overnight camping

Sleeping on most Californian beaches is deemed illegal, but not at Leo Carrillo State Beach. Named after the late Hollywood actor who also served as a conservationist, the grounds offer more than 130 campsites for tents and RVs, with electric hookups and ample facilities such as showers, restrooms and picnic areas.

Even if you're planning to just spend the day, Leo Carrillo is a great spot for families with various features such as tide pools, fire pits and areas perfect for nature walks over its 1.5-mile length. Several hiking trails around the Leo Carrillo area wind through canyons and offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Be sure to check the park website for trail closures as work on the trail system is scheduled to run through March 2026.

Detour: Pay a visit to seafood restaurant Neptune's Net. If the name sounds familiar, it's because it's been a location in various films and TV shows, including The Fast and the Furious (2001), Point Break (1991) and Vanderpump Rules (2013–).

• Location: Leo Carillo State Beach is 28 miles northwest of Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway.

• Parking: There is a parking fee of US$12 per day, per car. To park for just three hours, the fee is US$9 per car. 

• Hours: 8am to 10pm

Advertisement

4. Zuma Beach

Best for swimming and sunbathing

Make the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) drive past Will Rogers State Historic Park and Latigo Beach, and you'll be rewarded with some of the whitest sand in Los Angeles. Zuma's pristine conditions make this Malibu spot a very popular location, especially on weekends. Swimming, bodyboarding and sunbathing are welcomed here due to the calm waves and clear conditions. Lifeguards are also on duty at designated areas to ensure the safety of beachgoers.

If you're hungry throughout the day, hop across the street and have a meal at Spruzzo Restaurant and Bar. The views are remarkable, and portions are decent – be sure to order the bruschetta.

Detour: For those looking for a little more adventure, head next door to Point Dume for rock climbing and panoramic-view hikes.

• Location: Zuma is located at 30000 Pacific Coast Highway, about 8.8 miles from Malibu. 

• Parking: There is plenty of parking in nearby lots (up to 2000 spaces across eight lots) for a fee of US$15 per car per day. 

• Hours: 6am to 10pm

5. Dockweiler State Beach

Best for bonfires and party vibes

Don't mind the occasional overhead plane when visiting Dockweiler State Beach. Just south of LAX at Playa Del Rey spawns 3 miles of white sand and around 70 fire pits. While that may seem like a big number, these pits are in high demand, especially during the warmer months and on weekends. Some beachgoers even arrive at dawn to claim their spot for the entire day as they can't be reserved in advance. When I visited at the end of October at around 1pm, I was luckily able to snag the very last pit.

But before the competitive pit scoring turns you off, know that when the sun begins to set, that's when Dockweiler comes alive. Music is playing, the mood is as high as the moon, and the energy remains infectious up until midnight closing time.

Planning tip: If you do have a bonfire, be sure to pack garbage bags and some kind of flashlight. Before you go, you'll need to pick up all of your trash to keep the beach clean and healthy! 

• Location: Dockweiler State Beach is located in Playa Del Rey, CA at 12001 Vista del Mar.  

• Parking: There are more than 1000 spaces between street and nearby lots. 

• Hours: Hours vary based on the season. 

6. Manhattan Beach

Best for volleyballers and families

You won't find a free volleyball court come Saturday morning at Manhattan Beach. Locals and out-of-towners all meet to enjoy a few rounds of back and forth before throwing back some beers and indulging in some of the best backyard-style burgers at Ercole's 1101.

Take in the long stretch of gorgeous waterfront homes and boutique shops with a stroll along the path. Surfers can also catch some waves at Manhattan Beach, but all the popular spots by the pier work better in winter than summer. El Porto Beach, located on the north side, is a classic surf spot with a parking lot that is practically made for surfers.

Local tip: If you're coming with younger kids, visit the Roundhouse Aquarium. Situated on the pier, it's home to a 3500-gallon shark tank and is open to the public for free on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

• Location: Manhattan Beach is located at 400-4500 The Strand in Manhattan Beach. 

• Parking: There are roughly 450 public parking spaces available between lots and street parking. 

• Hours: 6am to 10pm

7. Malibu Surfrider Beach

Best for surfers

Malibu Surfrider is widely regarded as one of the premier surfing spots in Southern California, thanks to its perfectly shaped point-break waves. The famed location also encourages kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and bodyboarding – all of which are available to rent at the beach if you don't have your own. Parking in the lot can be hard to find, so you may have to park along the PCH and walk a little.

After surfing (or watching surfing!), head to Malibu Country Mart for the cafés and boutique shopping at the outdoor mall. There's a good chance you'll run into a celebrity while there.

Local tip: We recommend this beach for experienced surfers, because it can get very crowded and competitive. In Malibu, the waves tend to work better in summer. 

• Location: Malibu Surfrider Beach is located at 23050 & 23200 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. It is part of the Malibu Lagoon State Beach. 

• Parking: There are spots in lots and on the street. To park for the day in the state park lot on the west side of the Malibu Creek Bridge, there is a US$12 per car fee. 

• Hours: 8am to sunset

8. Venice Beach 

Best boardwalk

There are so many different sides of Venice Beach, from the bustling boardwalk to the bohemian vibes to the house music beach parties in the summer. Along the boardwalk, classic tourist spots include Muscle Beach, Venice Skatepark and the basketball courts (made famous in the 1992 movie White Men Can't Jump). For surf lovers, head over in the early morning (and after checking the surf forecast) to Breakwater for the best waves. 

In the middle of the action, Venice Beach Club has a killer burger as well as coastal Italian dishes. On the south side of the beach, the Venice Whaler has rooftop views that are perfect for sunset. 

Planning tip: You can go on a charming walk through the Venice canals, but avoid them on Wednesday evenings when the Venice Run Club mobs through the thin walkways.

• Location: 2700-3100 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA

• Parking: There are three main public lots (South City, North City and Washington Blvd), as well as street parking and private garages. 

• Hours: 6am to 10pm

9. Santa Monica

Best for tourists

Oftentimes when people imagine Los Angeles, they picture the red and yellow ferris wheel of the Santa Monica Pier. Spend the afternoon in Santa Monica walking, cycling or skating along the boardwalk, with views of the mountains in the background. Just a few blocks from the beach, there are also endless restaurants and bars.

Book ahead for a reservation at Élephante or Rihanna's favorite restaurant, Giorgio Baldi. As for drinks, the Bungalow is a popular spot for brunch or lunch cocktails by the Promenade, while Shutters on the Beach is the place for beachfront sunset cocktail. 

Planning tip: Santa Monica has various parking lots, all offering the first 90 minutes for free.

• Location: 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA

• Parking: There are 13 parking lots along the beach. Fees range from US$6-15 for a full day of parking. 

• Hours: Sunrise to sunset