Region Guide
LA Beach Cities: The Best Coastal Towns
Los Angeles County strings together a remarkable run of beach towns, from glamorous Malibu to easygoing Manhattan and Redondo.
Los Angeles County strings together a remarkable run of beach towns, from glamorous Malibu to easygoing Manhattan and Redondo.
Few cities can match the sheer length and variety of coastline that Los Angeles offers. The county's beach cities run for miles, each with its own personality: Malibu's rugged celebrity coast, Santa Monica's classic pier, Venice's boardwalk theater, and the laid-back trio of Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo in the South Bay. Marina del Rey and El Segundo round out the mix with harbors and quieter sands.
String a few together for a perfect coastal day, but be realistic about distance, as the drive from Malibu to Redondo can take well over an hour without traffic and far longer with it. Pacific Coast Highway is the scenic spine that links many of these towns. Parking is the main hurdle on warm weekends, so arrive early, carry cash and a credit card for lots and meters, and always check posted signs. Beach conditions and lifeguard hours vary, so check the official website before visiting.
WestsideSanta Monica is a breezy beachfront city famous for its historic pier, wide sandy beaches, and walkable shopping. It blends classic Southern California seaside leisure with a polished, pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors come for the ocean, the sunsets, and the easygoing coastal energy.
WestsideVenice Beach is a free-spirited coastal neighborhood known for its carnival-like boardwalk, muscle-bound Muscle Beach, street performers, and canals. It's eclectic, artsy, and unpretentious, a place to people-watch and soak up offbeat LA energy. The mix of skate culture, public art, and beach life makes it one of the city's most distinctive spots.
WestsideMalibu is a celebrity-favored stretch of dramatic Pacific coastline known for its surf breaks, secluded beaches, and mountain backdrops. It offers a slower, more natural escape from the city, with hiking, wine, and ocean views in abundance. The drive along the Pacific Coast Highway is itself one of California's great experiences.
WestsidePacific Palisades is a serene coastal neighborhood where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the sea, prized for hiking, ocean bluffs, and a cozy village center. It's home to cultural gems like the Getty Villa and the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine. The pace is calm, scenic, and outdoorsy.
WestsideMarina del Rey is a waterfront community built around one of the largest man-made small-craft harbors in the world. It's a relaxed base for boating, paddling, waterfront dining, and bike rides along the coast. The vibe is breezy, nautical, and unpretentious.
South BayManhattan Beach is a polished South Bay beach city known for its wide sands, iconic pier, and walkable downtown of boutiques and restaurants. It blends laid-back surf culture with affluent SoCal style. Beach volleyball and the Strand bike path are local institutions.
South BayHermosa Beach is the most carefree of the South Bay beach cities, a compact town where the pier, the sand, and a buzzing nightlife strip all sit within a few blocks. It's known for surfing, beach volleyball, live music, and an easygoing party energy. Pier Avenue is the lively heart of it all.
South BayRedondo Beach is a family-friendly South Bay city centered on its horseshoe-shaped pier and bustling harbor. It offers seafood markets, whale-watching cruises, gentle beaches, and a long coastal bike path. The mood is relaxed, classic, and a touch nostalgic.
South BayEl Segundo is a compact South Bay city wedged between LAX, the Chevron refinery, and the Pacific. It blends a walkable small-town downtown with a booming aerospace and tech corridor, plus quiet beaches just south of the airport.
LandmarksThe Santa Monica Pier is a historic wooden pier jutting into the Pacific, crowned by the small Pacific Park amusement park and its solar-powered Ferris wheel. It marks the symbolic western end of Route 66 and is one of LA's most festive seaside gathering spots.
BeachesThe Venice Beach Boardwalk is a vibrant, eccentric oceanfront promenade famous for street performers, artists, and the open-air Muscle Beach gym. It's a free, free-spirited slice of LA culture where the beach, the skate park, and the carnival of vendors all blend together.
BeachesMalibu Pier is a historic wooden pier reaching into the Pacific beside the world-famous Surfrider Beach, offering ocean views, fishing, dining, and easy beach access. It is a relaxed gateway to Malibu's surf culture and coastline.
BeachesEl Matador State Beach is a dramatic, secluded Malibu cove famous for its towering sea stacks, sea caves, and arches carved into the cliffs. Reached by a steep trail and stairs, it rewards visitors with one of the most photogenic stretches of coastline in Southern California.
BeachesZuma Beach is one of Malibu's largest and most popular sandy beaches, beloved for its wide shoreline, clean water, and reliable surf. With ample parking, lifeguards, and full facilities, it is a go-to spot for swimming, sunbathing, and a classic SoCal beach day.
BeachesThe Manhattan Beach Pier is a picturesque concrete pier topped by a small octagonal aquarium and framed by wide golden sand. Its clean lines and ocean sunsets make it one of the South Bay's most iconic beach landmarks.
BeachesThe Hermosa Beach Pier anchors a lively beach town where a pedestrian plaza spills straight onto the sand. It is a laid-back South Bay spot known for volleyball, sunsets, and an energetic dining and nightlife scene.
BeachesThe Redondo Beach Pier is a horseshoe-shaped landmark packed with seafood eateries, shops, and harbor views. Its mix of waterfront dining, fishing, and family activities makes it the most bustling of the South Bay piers.
Neighborhoods and top attractions across this region.
Map pins are approximate and for visitor planning only — they may not mark the exact entrance or parking. Please check official directions before visiting.
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Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica are both great for families, with gentle sands, piers, and nearby amenities, while Hermosa and Redondo offer a relaxed small-town feel.
Yes, Malibu's beaches like El Matador and Zuma are among the most scenic in Southern California, though it is a longer drive, so plan for traffic and limited parking.
You can, but distances and traffic add up. Pick a stretch, such as the South Bay trio, to enjoy several towns without spending the whole day in the car.
BeachesFrom the family-friendly South Bay piers to Malibu's cliff-backed coves, here is how to pick the right stretch of LA sand for your day.
PhotographyWhere to be when the LA sky turns gold and pink, from the Griffith Observatory terraces to Malibu's sea-cave coves.
PhotographyIconic skylines, architectural icons, sea caves, and color-soaked streets, plus when to shoot them for the best light.