The Absolute Best Beaches in Los Angeles, Ranked

What Are the Best Beaches in Los Angeles?

With so many miles of rugged and developed Pacific coastline, California has no shortage of beaches and the city of Los Angeles is no exception. Family fun, seclusion, water sports, biking, blading, arcade games, restaurants, roller coasters, bonfires, and sand castles—the best beaches in Los Angeles have a little something for everyone. Here is a list of the absolute must-visit beaches in and around Los Angeles County.

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Dockweiler State beach at Sunset- Photo by Alice Ford

Best Beaches in Los Angeles, Ranked

Let’s explore the best beaches in Los Angeles, ranked in reverse order to reach the #1 beach last on the list! We’ll start with Dockweiler State Beach and make our way through the Santa Monica Pier Beach, all the way down to the absolute best shore for views, photography, picnics, and more—El Matador State Beach! 

6. Dockweiler State Beach

• Address: 12000 Vista del Mar Playa del Rey, CA 90293
• Best Known For: Fire pits, hang gliding, and RV sites

Dockweiler is a favorite L.A. beach among locals and adventurers. Located on the back side of the Los Angeles Airport, you can both learn to hang glide here or spend the night roasting marshmallows at one of the beaches fire rings. The beach is quite expansive with more than 3.5 miles of beach. With ample parking and more than 100 full RV hookup sites, this beach can get quite busy (especially in the summer months and evenings).

Its proximity to the airport makes it a little noisy, but all that is forgotten when you’re watching the sunset at your fire pit. Several days a week you can also learn to hang glide on the beach for a nominal fee.

5. Santa Monica Pier Beach

• Address: Directions
• Best Known For: Families, the pier, and restaurants

The most well known beach area in Los Angeles is the Santa Monica Pier—and it’s also one of the best beaches in Los Angeles. This is a fantastic place for a family outing. The pier offers an arcade, rollercoaster, restaurants, and aquarium. It’s also a great place for family photos, souvenirs, and bike rentals. The beach stretches out for miles in both directions for those looking to relax in the sun, surf, bike, rollerblade, or walk.

Venice Beach Boardwalk

4. Venice Beach

• Address: 1800 Ocean Front Walk. Venice, CA 90291.
• Best Known For: Bike rentals & entertainment

Venice Beach is a colorful and eclectic area, full of artists, unique shops and street performers. Rent a bike or walk from Santa Monica Pier and follow the beach path south for about 15 minutes and you will reach Venice Beach—one of the best beaches in Los Angeles, hands-down. Venice is a great place to shop. Artists sell their handmade crafts on the pathway every day of the week. Dozens of shops are on the route as well, where you can find bathing suits, t-shirts, souvenirs, and much more. Venice is also home to Muscle Beach, a skate park, and dozens of street performers that draw in a crowd every day of the week.

3. Mother’s Beach: Marina Del Rey

• Address: 4135 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
• Best Known For: Swimming & SUP/kayak rentals

Located in Marina Del Rey, Mother’s Beach is one of the best places in the Los Angeles area to learn to paddleboard. The harbor inlet seldom has any waves and always has a plethora of kayaks and boards available for rent, as well as a boat launch for those bringing their own. The beach has lifeguards on duty and a roped-off swimming area where you can get in the water and not worry about the surf. Hopping on a paddle board or kayak, you can paddle through the marina’s boats, yachts, and houseboats while looking for sea lions. It’s one of the best beaches in the area!

2. Pirate’s Cove Beach on Point Dum

• Address: 6800 Westward Beach Rd. Malibu, CA
• Best Known For: Seclusion, wildflowers, and cliffs

Pirate’s Cove is a secluded beach north of Malibu with a stunning cliff that juts out over the ocean. Accessible by a long metal staircase that leads down onto the beach below, it is one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful and secluded beaches. With less than a dozen parking spaces, this beach is rarely crowded. Come in the spring time and walk among the wildflowers before heading down to the beach.

1. El Matador State Beach

• Address: Directions
• Best Known For: Stunning photographs, rock arches, seclusion

Located north of Los Angeles along the PCH, El Matador State Beach is one of the best beaches in Los Angeles and is most famous for the rock arches that stand prominently on the beach. This makes it a fantastic backdrop for a photoshoot! Kids also love exploring the rock formations and tide pools along this small stretch of beach. If you plan on staying for long bring a picnic, the beach has no services or lifeguards on duty.

Will You Visit the Best Beaches in Los Angeles?

Have you been to one of these beaches or have another LA favorite that isn’t on the list? Let us know in the comments section.

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