The Top 5 Beaches in Los Angeles

Surfrider Beach at the Malibu Pier is one of the most iconic surf breaks in the world, famous for its long right-hand point break waves that can peel for hundreds of yards. Even non-surfers come to watch the show from the pier or the sand. The adjacent Malibu Lagoon is a protected estuary with excellent bird watching. Parking is extremely limited and the surf lineup can be territorial with locals.

Point Dume is a secluded, strikingly beautiful beach tucked beneath a dramatic volcanic headland in Malibu, accessible via a short trail down the bluff. The cove is sheltered, the water is clear, and whale watching from the point is exceptional in winter and spring. It feels genuinely remote despite being in LA County. The parking lot has a fee and fills quickly; the trail down to the beach is moderately steep.

Zuma is LA County's largest and most beloved public beach, stretching nearly two miles of wide, clean sand in Malibu. It's ideal for swimming, bodysurfing, and volleyball, with lifeguards on duty and full restroom facilities. The water quality is consistently good and the waves are beginner-friendly. Parking fills fast on summer weekends, so arrive before 9am or expect a long wait.

Leo Carrillo is a dramatic, rugged state beach at the northern edge of LA County featuring sea caves, tide pools, and rocky outcroppings alongside a wide sandy stretch. It's a favorite for snorkeling, tide pooling, and camping right on the coast. The northern cove is clothing-optional by tradition and draws a more alternative crowd. Parking requires a state park day-use fee, and the campground books up months in advance.

Manhattan Beach is the quintessential South Bay beach town experience — a wide, immaculate strand with a charming pier, excellent surf, and a lively beach volleyball scene that has produced Olympic champions. The downtown village just steps away offers great restaurants and coffee shops for a full day out. It skews affluent and polished but never feels pretentious on the sand. Street parking is competitive; the city lot near the pier fills early.

Hermosa Beach is the most social and energetic of the South Bay beaches, with a wide strand, a lively pier plaza, and a walkable downtown packed with bars and restaurants. The Strand bike path runs directly along the beach connecting it to Manhattan and Redondo, making it a hub for cyclists and joggers. It has a younger, party-friendly vibe especially on weekends. Parking is notoriously difficult — arrive early or use the paid lots.

The most cinematic beach in LA — dramatic sea stacks, arches, and caves at the base of a Malibu bluff. It's stunning and worth the drive, but small: parking is a tiny paid lot, you descend a steep staircase, and it gets tide-locked and crowded. Come early, check the tide.

Peak weird, wonderful LA — street performers, the Muscle Beach outdoor gym, skate park, medical-weed shops, artists, and characters, all along an oceanfront walk. It's gritty and not for everyone, but it's authentically strange in a way nowhere else is. Go by day, keep your wits, and enjoy the show.