Los Angeles Beaches Guide | Santa Monica, Venice & Beyond

Los Angeles's 75 miles of Pacific coastline is one of its defining assets — a string of beaches from Malibu in the north to Long Beach in the south, each with a distinct personality, crowd, and character. The beach culture here is deeply woven into LA's identity, and understanding which beach fits your style is half the fun of exploring Southern California's coast.

Santa Monica is the classic LA beach experience: the iconic pier, Muscle Beach, the Third Street Promenade, and a broad sandy shore that attracts families, tourists, and longtime locals in equal measure. Venice Beach delivers the eclectic and the eccentric — the famous boardwalk, outdoor gym, skate park, street performers, and the canal district that offers one of LA's most charming walks just blocks from the ocean.

For a more local experience, Manhattan Beach offers a beautiful downtown and a competitive beach volleyball scene. El Matador in Malibu rewards the drive north with dramatic sea stacks and caves ideal for photography. Zuma gives you wide open space and genuine surf. Our comprehensive beach guide covers access, parking, swimming safety, food and drink nearby, and which beach suits which visitor.