With miles of beaches, sunny shores, and the inviting sloshing of the Pacific Ocean, it’s easy to enjoy the beach in Los Angeles. Each beach offers a unique experience; whether it’s premier surf breaks, custom-built boardwalks, and scenic places to relax, here’s a guide to picking the right beach in Los Angeles.
Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica sunset
Located closest to Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica Beach is one of the most vibrant beaches in the area. It’s coastline has long been a favorite setting for Hollywood movies and the iconic pier is an entertainment staple. Many Los Angeles families love to visit the beach and Santa Monica Pier is the western end of famous Route 66. As the sun sets on the ocean, Pacific Park rides that sit on the beach become illuminated and the area transforms into a dazzling amusement park.
Attractions like a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster make Santa Monica Pier the perfect place for visitors looking for the stereotypical Los Angeles beach experience. It has a classic California style street band and a range of themed events which add to the atmosphere. There are also plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants.
Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica beach is one of the closest beaches to downtown Los Angeles and has a good view of the ocean and the end of Route 66 which is famous in movies from Hollywood.
It is popular for families and couples who want to relax at the beach.
At night the Pacific Park at the beach is a bright festive place to visit.
Another reason it is a popular place for tourists is because there is often live music California style and themed events.
Malibu Beach
Malibu beach is at the north end of Los Angeles and is close to Beverly Hills which is known for its celebrities and has earned the beach the nickname 'Starlight Beach.' Because of this visitors come hoping to see a celebrity. This beach was also a filming location for the popular Korean TV series 'The Heirs' which attracted many of its fans to this coast.
Also because Malibu Beach is further away from downtown than Santa Monica it tends to be less crowded. This is especially good because the surf is very active and provides a good experience for surfers. Unlike the soft sand beaches in the south, Malibu has a lot of rocky formations which are more visually interesting.
Malibu Beach
Malibu beach, located at the northern end of Los Angeles, is very famous for its association with celebrities and the Hollywood culture near Beverly Hills.
Visitors tend to like its celebrity hot spot image, and its reputation as an ocean playground for swimming and surfing. It is also less busy than Santa Monica which is located farther out of Downtown Los Angeles. The unique area has excellent training conditions for surfing. The beach has varying forms of terrain which are visually stunning and less sandy than typical beaches. If you visit the boulders, there is plenty of space to walk along the shore to calm and refresh yourself as you enjoy a slower side of Los Angeles.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach, next to Santa Monica Beach, operates like a free, year-round carnival, animated by street artists, weightlifters, bohemian residents, and unusual shops. On the Venice Boardwalk, you could easily become part of a street performer’s show.
Walk the Venice Boardwalk and suddenly you can be part of a performer’s act!
From tie-dyes to tattoos, the streets are alive with fortune tellers and all. You’ll want at least one afternoon to explore as it can be very crowded. You won’t find tranquility at Venice Beach, but you will enjoy something uniquely American!
Venice Beach borders Santa Monica Beach. It is also located near the Ballona Creek outlet and the Marina del Rey. The area is a year-round free carnival with lots of street performers, weightlifters, bohemian shops, and boutique shops. You can easily become part of a street performer’s show on the Venice Boardwalk.
The area is characterized by unique art including tattoos, tie-dye, fortune telling and street art. It is worth an afternoon of your time to explore this area to appreciate the unique forms of American culture.
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan beach is the best option if you are looking for a quiet beach area. Located just a few kilometers from Santa Monica Beach, it has a much lower volume of people. The beautiful shoreline is perfect for running, walking, or having a picnic.
Manhattan beach does not have a lot of daily noise, and the high demand hotels and rental apartments that line the beachfront offer safe access to the beach and its waters, especially for families or people who just want a simple walk by the beach and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Huntington Beach
Huntington beach is located south of Long Beach and is one of the most famous surfing locations in the western United States. A symbolic surfer statue welcomes every visitor, and the energetic waves that reach 5-6 meters make the beach perfect for surfing.
The beautiful shade of blue water offers a variety of beach sports, and is home to some of the famous brands created in California such as Vans and Hollister.
While browsing local fashion and beach footwear stores, the shopping street on the other side of the beach provides insight into surf culture and equipment through specialized surfboard shops.
Huntington Beach
South of Long Beach (Long Beach), you will find one of the most recognized surf spots in the entire western United States, Huntington Beach. Before stepping on the sand, the massive surfer statue greets all visitors to the beach. With waves reaching 5-6 meters, there is great surfing for all beach and water sport enthusiasts. The street directly across the beach features stores of well-known California brands like Vans and Hollister, along with local clothing, surf shops, and shoe stores.
