Top Beaches To Visit In Los Angeles

Los Angeles has many beaches - in fact, if you have to choose, there are almost too many to choose from – if you are planning to visit and don’t know where to get started - here are five beaches to check out:

Point Dume State Beach

Have you seen Planet of the Apes or The Big Lebowski? Well, both of them were filmed here at Point Dume State Beach.

It is uniquely sheltered between sand dunes and the ocean, and from the top of the sand, you can enjoy some great views.

In fact, the first piece of land directly south of its tip is Antartica. Especially if you like swimming, scuba diving, tide pooling, rock climbing or whale-watching (from December to March), you will find delight at Point Dume State Beach – it’s a good destination for all of them.

The fact that it is further out from the LA metro area also means that it is usually less crowded than many of the other Malibu beaches.

Paradise Cove 

This beach is what its name already says it is: a paradise cove.

A private beach in the 28,000 block of the Pacific Coast Highway, Paradise Cove charges you $25 to park and $5 per person if you walk in.

If you dine at the Paradise Cove Restaurant, you automatically get validated for four hours.

But all this exclusivity doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get crowded; quite the contrary, be sure to arrive before noon on weekends because it fills up fast.

The Strand, Manhattan Beach

If your time is limited, head to The Strand. It’s an easy drive from the city and its strip comes with some serious real estate.

When you stay at one of these impressive homes, you can stare out into the Pacific (while thinking about Keanu Reeves in the surf board-buying scene from Point Break, which was shot nearby).

The paved pathway is also an ideal place to walk, run, jog, rollerblade or bike.

Heavens Beach

Another beach that is what its name entails. It is uniquely situated in Leo Carrillo State Park.

Here, you can grill a relaxing BBQ after a day of surfing, the waves are pretty consistent and great for all levels.

All of this against a stunning backdrop; giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds throughout the park and there’s plenty of tide pools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring, too.

Santa Monica Beach

With 3.5 miles of Southern California beaches and over 300 days of sunshine, the Santa Monica Beach is a prime piece of California coastline and a welcome retreat for vacationers and locals alike.

There are countless activities you can pursue here year-round, including swimming, surfing, fishing, volleyball and biking.

Those who enjoy people-watching, can catch some of the finest views here, too. The beach is considered a natural asset, and the city cleans and rakes the sand every day – lifeguard stations are also staffed 24-hours a day. 

Check out LosAngelesHotels.org for hotels in Santa Monica and other surrounding areas.

(photo credit: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4)