1. El Matador State Beach - 50 minutes from Downtown LA
El Matador State Beach in Malibu is one of the most picturesque locations in the Los Angeles area. A highly popular site for wedding and engagement photography, this dramatic beach has high bluffs, large rocks on the beach, and sea caves to explore.
It is not accessible to those with mobility issues – from the parking lot on top of the bluffs there is a dirt trail which leads to stairs down the hill. There is an incredible view from the clifftop: Deep blue water with thick kelp forests and the sight of migrating whales. El Matador State Beach has hiking trails, restrooms, and drinking water.
El Matador State Beach, 32215 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90205
2. Abalone Cove Ecological Preserve - 40 minutes from Downtown LA
The Abalone Cove Ecological Preserve is first and foremost a protected area providing refuge for at-risk marine species such as starfish, urchins, lobsters, and anemones.
With the exception of lobster, these species can be viewed in the tide pools at low tide.
There are two black sand beaches in Rancho Palos Verdes that are safe for swimming, and rocky bluffs from which to take in the view of the beach and the water.
There are designated hiking trails along the bluffs. Visitors may get the chance to view migratory whales that pass this way; blue, grey, and humpback whales have been seen close to shore at Abalone Cove. There is a parking lot and picnic tables for visitor use.
Abalone Cove Ecological Preserve , 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Phone: 310-377-1222
This spectacular video shows the best beach scenes in LA from above.
Romantic Beaches Near Los Angeles:
3. El Porto Beach - 30 minutes from Downtown LA
El Porto Beach sits in front of the El Porto neighborhood in Manhattan Beach. Its consistently huge waves make it a popular destination for surfers, body surfers, and stand-up paddleboarders, and its volleyball nets attract beach volleyball aficionados.
The Marvin Braude Bike Path is paved and runs along El Porto Beach; it is open to cyclists, inline skaters, walkers, runners, and joggers.
El Porto Beach is relatively quiet, as it is a lesser-known beach; because of that it is a haven for those wishing to avoid crowded beaches.
El Port Beach has a laid-back atmosphere, lifeguards, restrooms, showers, and a restaurant.
440 The Strand, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
4. Cabrillo Beach - 35 minutes from Downtown LA
Cabrillo Beach is a quiet, uncrowded beach that looks out onto Santa Catalina Island and the interesting sight of shipping vessels making their way down the coast.
It is popular with families and windsurfers and has all the amenities necessary for a great day at the beach.
There are volleyball nets, a children’s playground, a snack bar, picnic tables, restrooms, and shaded areas for visitors who don’t want a sunburn.
Cabrillo Beach has a great fishing pier with fish identification charts and a sink for rinsing off your catch.
Whale watching is a big draw to this beach. Cabrillo Beach has a paved boat ramp accessible from the parking lot.
3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731
Family Beaches Near Los Angeles:
5. County Line Beach - 1 hour
County Line Beach was made famous by the Beach Boys, who named it in their 1963 hit Surfin’ USA. It is a very popular beach for board surfing, and others come to bodysurf, stand-up paddleboard, and windsurf. The rugged coastline is actually at the end of a canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains, which stop at the coast, and both the half-mile beach and the water are clean with good visibility for scuba diving.
Divers are attracted to County Line Beach by its underwater kelp forests and reefs, while beachgoers can sight dolphins, whales, seals, and seabirds close to shore. Spear-fishing is permitted at the beach; most of the catch is sea bass.
Pacific Coast Highway at Yerba Buena Road, Malibu, CA 90265
6. Hermosa Beach - 35 minutes
Hermosa Beach is a 2-mile stretch along Santa Monica Bay with clean sand and water, which makes it a great location for families, as do the waves, which are milder here than they are at other coastal beaches. Novice surfers and stand-up paddleboarders come here to learn the ropes of their sport.
Numerous beach volleyball nets are set up along the shore and visitors can watch professional and semi-professional play. The beach has lifeguards during the day as well as showers and restrooms. Parking is trickier, but there is street parking nearby and parking lots a few blocks away. The pier at Hermosa Beach brings fishermen and next to the pier there is a palm-lined promenade with shopping, restaurants, and bars.
Pier Avenue and Hermosa Avenue, Hermosa, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Unique Beaches Near Los Angeles:
7. Leo Carrillo State Park and Beach - 1 hour
Leo Carrillo State Park and Beach was named for a Hollywood movie actor who was an ardent conservationist and served on the California Beach and Parks Commission for 18 years. The park is part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and has 1.5 miles of beachfront suitable for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, and beachcombing. There are tide pools full of fascinating creatures, and sea caves to explore while the tide is out. Leo Carrillo Beach has been used in many movies, including Grease and The Usual Suspects. The state park has a campground shaded by giant sycamore trees, children’s programs, and nature walks. There is a small visitor center with interpretative displays.
35000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, Phone: 818-880-0350
8. Malibu Lagoon State Beach - 35 minutes
Malibu Lagoon is an estuary caused by the meeting of Malibu Creek and the Pacific Ocean. This lagoon is a premier surfing destination and attracts surfers from all over the world.
It is also a lovely beach for sunbathing, swimming, whale watching, and for looking at the fascinating creatures to be found in the tide pools left at low tide. From Malibu Lagoon State Beach, visitors can access the pier, where saltwater fishing is permitted, and there are trails around the coastal wetland that are ideal for birdwatching. The state park has picnic tables and a nature area with signage.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach, 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, Phone: 310-457-8143
If you are a photographer, don't miss:
9. Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is in an upscale Los Angeles coastal neighborhood with fancy homes, trendy hotels, and excellent dining. It is also a beautiful beach, the sort seen on television shows and in movies, which has a surfing vibe to it as well as excellent waves for surfing. The beach is dog friendly and it is permissible to fish from the pier, on which there is a small but interesting aquarium. Manhattan Beach is a magnet for professional beach volleyball players and there are often pro matches to watch. On the beach there is a pedestrian-only boardwalk as well as the South Bay Bicycle Trail, which is open to inline skaters as well.
Manhattan Beach, 400-500 The Strand, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, Phone: 310-305-9503
10. Paradise Cove Beach
Paradise Cove Beach is a white sand beach in a lagoon at the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. This lovely curve of beach has all the amenities for a lovely day at the shore: parking, clean public restrooms, showers, beach chairs, and a lifeguard on duty during the day.
There is a restaurant, the Paradise Cove Beach Café, right on the beach. There is pier from which fishing is permissible, and the beach itself is perfect for sunbathing and sandcastle building, and this stretch of the Pacific Ocean is popular for swimming and surfing. No dogs are permitted on this beach.
28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 , (website), Map
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