Closest Beaches to Los Angeles: LA Beach Guide
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A guide to the beaches of Los Angeles tailored to specific tastes to help you pick the best Los Angeles Beach for your day.
Guide to Los Angeles Beaches: (Jump To)
Beaches in Los Angeles Map
Find more information on beach specifics below. Our comprehensive guide will help you pick the right beach in Los Angeles for a perfect LA Beach Day.
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Private Beaches in Los Angeles
Explore the coastal beauty of Los Angeles’ private beaches. These high-end exclusive experiences are out of reach for most travelers. If you’re one of the lucky few, use these suggestions to discover the allure of secluded Southern California beaches. Here are a few places known for exclusive Los Angeles beach experiences.
Malibu Beach Inn
Map: Google Maps
Located in Malibu, this luxury hotel has private access to Carbon Beach, providing an intimate and upscale beach experience. Each of the hotel’s rooms has an ocean-view balcony.
This award-winning boutique hotel offers unparalleled service and accommodations at a price point that might put many travelers out.
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe
Map: Google Maps
While the beach itself is public, Paradise Cove in Malibu offers the option to rent private cabanas with exclusive beach access. Prices start at $250 per day (which can be split between as many as 6 people). Click to learn more.
If you’re not interested in spending the entire day on the beach, you can also grab a beach table and enjoy an amazing meal on the beach.
Jonathan Beach Club
Map: Google Maps
Situated in Santa Monica, the Jonathan Beach Club is a private, members-only club that offers a secluded beach experience. I’d like to tell you the secret to getting into this private club: It’s being wealthy and well-connected. If this is you, let us know how it is on the inside!
Little Beach House Malibu
Map: Google Maps
Part of the Soho House group, this exclusive venue in Malibu provides a private beach for its members. Annual membership starts at $USD 2622.00. We’re not members here either, but if you click enough of our links we might be able to join.
Nobu Ryokan Malibu
Map: Google Maps
A luxury hotel in Malibu, Nobu Ryokan provides guests with a private section of Carbon Beach. This beautiful hotel is the pinnacle of luxury.
Hidden Beaches in Los Angeles
There are several beautiful secluded beaches in Los Angeles, and while some are popular and bustling with activity, there are a few that are known for being more secluded and tranquil. Here are some hidden beaches in Los Angeles.
El Matador Beach
Map: Google Maps
Located in Malibu, El Matador Beach is known for its sea caves, large rocks, and a relatively secluded atmosphere. It's a great spot for a quiet and scenic beach day.
Leo Carrillo State Beach
Map: Google Maps
North of Malibu, Leo Carrillo State Beach is separated into a North Beach and a South Beach. The more remote North Beach is less crowded and features sea caves and tide pools.
Nicholas Canyon Beach
Map: Google Maps
This location offers a quieter beach experience with fewer crowds. It's known for its scenic views and is great for picnics. Enhance your day with a visit to the nearby Wishtoyo Chumash Village for a rich cultural experience.
Zuma Beach
Map: Google Maps
While Zuma Beach can get busy, its shoreline is long enough that you can find more secluded areas, especially on weekdays. It's one of the broader beaches in the area.
Known for its wide sandy shores and relatively gentle waves. It's a great spot for families to enjoy a day of beach activities, and there are ample parking facilities available.
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
Map: Google Maps
Located in Rancho Palos Verdes, this park includes Sacred Cove, a more secluded beach with tide pools and sea caves. Note that access is limited, and a hike is required.
Best Family Beaches in Los Angeles
Los Angeles offers several family-friendly beaches, each with its unique features and amenities. Here are some of the best beaches in Los Angeles for families.
Santa Monica Beach
Map: Google Maps
Iconic and bustling, Santa Monica Beach features the famous Santa Monica Pier with its amusement park, aquarium, and family-friendly restaurants. The wide sandy beach is perfect for building sandcastles and playing beach games.
If your family enjoys biking, this is a great place to bring your bikes to enjoy the flat paved bike trail. There are also plenty of places nearby to rent bicycles.
Manhattan Beach
Map: Google Maps
Known for its clean, sandy shores and family-friendly atmosphere, Manhattan Beach offers a charming downtown area with shops and restaurants. The beach has a playful atmosphere and is suitable for picnics and beach sports.
Hermosa Beach
Map: Google Maps
Hermosa Beach is a relaxed and family-friendly destination with a spacious beachfront and a charming pier. Families can enjoy beach volleyball, bike riding on The Strand, and dining at the waterfront restaurants.
Cabrillo Beach
Map: Google Maps
Located in San Pedro, Cabrillo Beach is family-friendly with calm waters and picnic areas. The nearby Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is an added attraction for families interested in marine life.
Redondo Beach
Map: Google Maps
Redondo Beach offers a family-friendly atmosphere with a sandy beach, a horseshoe-shaped pier, and a harbor. Families can explore the tide pools, stroll along the pier, and enjoy waterfront dining.
Paradise Cove Beach
Map: Google Maps
While there's a fee for parking, Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu provides a more private and family-friendly setting. Families can enjoy the sandy shores, rent beach chairs, and dine at the aforementioned beachfront cafe. The beach is surrounded by cliffs, and the cove offers a peaceful retreat with opportunities for coastal walks.
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Los Angeles Dog Beaches
There are several dog-friendly beaches in Los Angeles where you can enjoy the sun and surf with your furry friend. Keep in mind that regulations and specific rules may vary, so it's essential to check the local ordinances and guidelines. Here are the best dog beaches in Los Angeles.
Rosie's Dog Beach
Map: Google Maps
Located in Long Beach, it is a dedicated off-leash dog beach popular among dog owners. Note that a one dog per adult rule is strictly enforced. The beach park is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm.
Huntington Dog Beach
Map: Google Maps
A beloved spot for dog owners, allowing dogs to roam off-leash in a designated area. As the name suggests, the beach is located in the city of Huntington Beach in Orange County.
Arroyo Burro Beach County Park (Hendry's Beach)
Map: Google Maps
Another beach that’s perfect for a day trip with your pooch. Although outside Los Angeles, it's a dog-friendly beach with an off-leash area just north of Santa Barbara.
Point Fermin Park
Map: Google Maps
Located in San Pedro, Point Fermin Park offers scenic views of the coastline. Numerous walking trails allow you to enjoy the view while walking your dog. This park allows leashed dogs only. You can also check out the beautiful Victorian Point Fermin Lighthouse and the Korean Friendship Bell nearby.
Del Rey Lagoon Park
Map: Google Maps
Located in Marina Del Ray, this small park features an off-leash dog area close to the beach. The park also has a unique saltwater lagoon.
Malibu Dog Beach (Broad Beach - Unofficial)
Map: Google Maps
While not officially recognized, locals bring their dogs to the northern end of Broad Beach in Malibu.
Beaches With Fire Pits in Los Angeles
Some beaches in Los Angeles offer fire pits for visitors to enjoy a beach bonfire. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the beach in the off-season, or during an unexpectedly cool summer evening.
Dockweiler State Beach
Map: Google Maps
Dockweiler State Beach, located near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), is known for its fire pits. It's a popular spot for beach bonfires, and you can bring your own firewood or purchase it at the beach. This beach is extra enticing for aviation lovers because you can watch planes take off and land.
Huntington State Beach
Map: Google Maps
Huntington State Beach, located in Orange County but close to Los Angeles, allows bonfires in designated fire pits. There are fire rings available, and bonfires are a popular activity, especially during the evening.
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Best Beaches in Los Angeles for Nature Lovers
For nature lovers seeking a more serene and natural experience, Los Angeles has several beaches with scenic beauty and diverse ecosystems.
Topanga State Beach
Map: Google Maps
Topanga State Beach is part of Topanga State Park, providing nature lovers with access to hiking trails and a more secluded beach experience. The coastal bluffs and natural surroundings make it a peaceful destination.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Map: Google Maps
Malibu Lagoon State Beach is where the Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean. It's a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, with a lagoon that attracts various bird species.
Palos Verdes Cove and Bluff Cove
Map: Google Maps
Palos Verdes Cove and Bluff Cove are hidden gems with rugged cliffs, tide pools, and scenic views. The trails along the bluffs provide an excellent vantage point for observing the coastline. Seasonally this is a great spot for whale watching.
White Point/Royal Palms Beach
Map: Google Maps
White Point Beach in San Pedro is known for its tide pools and coastal bluffs. It's a more secluded area with opportunities for birdwatching and enjoying the natural surroundings. Deepen your knowledge of the area at the nearby White Point Nature Education Center. Also in the park is the unique Nike Missile Site an off-the-beaten-path Los Angeles historical site.
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Best Gay Beaches in Los Angeles
Ginger Rogers Beach
Map: Google Maps
Technically part of Will Rogers Beach, This beach, located near Pacific Palisades, has become known as a gay-friendly spot. Playfully named for Ginger (who was not related to Will) who was a much more celebrated diva by the community. Find a sandy spot between lifeguard towers 17 and 18.
West Street Beach
Map: Google Maps
Nearby Laguna Beach in Orange County is known for its inclusive and LGBTQ+-friendly environment. At West Street Beach you will find a vibrant and friendly community. It's a bit farther south, but it's a popular destination worth the drive.
