Quick Summary:

  • Los Angeles is famous for many things; it is the second-largest city in the United States, it is the center of the movie, television, and recording industries, and it has Pacific coast beaches where surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers can spend time away from the office and close to the natural beauty of their surroundings.
  • The Santa Monica Mountains end at the Pacific coast, and these beaches are beauty spots that are ideal for family outings and for fun in the waves.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. El Matador State Beach - 50 minutes from Downtown LA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Beaches
El Matador State Beach - 50 minutes from Downtown LA | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of trekandphoto - Fotolia.com

2. Abalone Cove Ecological Preserve - 40 minutes from Downtown LA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Abalone Cove Ecological Preserve - 40 minutes from Downtown LA | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of trekandphoto - Fotolia.com

3. El Porto Beach - 30 minutes from Downtown LA

Category: Beaches
El Porto Beach - 30 minutes from Downtown LA | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of van_sinsy - Fotolia.com

4. Cabrillo Beach - 35 minutes from Downtown LA

Category: Beaches
Cabrillo Beach - 35 minutes from Downtown LA | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of John - Fotolia.com

5. County Line Beach - 1 hour

Category: Beaches
County Line Beach - 1 hour | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of flatbox - Fotolia.com

6. Hermosa Beach - 35 minutes

Category: Beaches
Hermosa Beach - 35 minutes | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of Jo¨rg Hackemann - Fotolia.com

7. Leo Carrillo State Park and Beach - 1 hour

Category: Activities
Leo Carrillo State Park and Beach - 1 hour | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of Gottfried Reidler - Fotolia.com

8. Malibu Lagoon State Beach - 35 minutes

Category: Beaches
Malibu Lagoon State Beach - 35 minutes | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of Andy - Fotolia.com

9. Manhattan Beach

Category: Beaches
Manhattan Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of FiledIMAGE - Fotolia.com

10. Paradise Cove Beach

Category: Beaches
Paradise Cove Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of vericelemma - Fotolia.com

11. Point Dume State Beach and Preserve

Category: Activities
Point Dume State Beach and Preserve | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of flatbox - Fotolia.com

12. Santa Monica State Beach

Category: Beaches
Santa Monica State Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
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13. Venice Beach

Category: Beaches
Venice Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of jon bilous - Fotolia.com

14. Zuma Beach

Category: Beaches
Zuma Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Courtesy of Alex Krassel - Fotolia.com

15. Carbon Beach, Malibu

Category: Beaches
Carbon Beach, Malibu | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© bennymarty/stock.adobe.com

16. Huntington City Beach

Category: Beaches
Huntington City Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Unwind/stock.adobe.com

17. Laguna Beach

Category: Beaches
Laguna Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© Luciano_Paul Fisher/stock.adobe.com

18. Dockweiler State Beach

Category: Beaches
Dockweiler State Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© stock.adobe.com

19. Will Rogers State Beach

Category: Beaches
Will Rogers State Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© NadiaA/stock.adobe.com

20. Bolsa Chica State Beach

Category: Beaches
Bolsa Chica State Beach | Beaches Near Los Angeles: Which One is the Best?
© SailingAway/stock.adobe.com

What is the nicest beach in LA?

If you are looking for the nicest beach in Los Angeles, El Matador State Beach won't disappoint.

What is the most famous beach in Los Angeles?

Santa Monica State Beach is the most famous beach in LA.

What month is the best for enjoying the beach in Los Angeles?

Summer season runs from late May to September, and this is the best time to go to the beach in LA.

Are beaches in Los Angeles free?

Most of the famous beaches of LA like Venice Beach, are free (there may be a parking fee).

What is the cheapest month to visit Los Angeles?

You will find the best deals in Los Angeles from September to November. If you are on a budget and want to visit the beaches, September if the time to go because the weather is still quite warm.

Map:


Los Angeles, California Weather by Month

Month High (°F) Low (°F) Precip. (in) Conditions
January 65 47 3.0 Mild & Sunny
February 68 49 2.5 Mild & Sunny
March 69 50 2.0 Mild & Sunny
April 73 54 1.5 Warm & Sunny
May 77 58 0.5 Warm & Sunny
June 82 63 0.1 Warm & Sunny
July 85 67 0.0 Hot & Sunny
August 84 66 0.1 Hot & Sunny
September 82 63 0.5 Warm & Sunny
October 77 57 1.0 Warm & Sunny
November 70 50 2.0 Mild & Sunny
December 65 47 2.5 Mild & Sunny

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