Beaches · Los Angeles · United States
The best beaches in and near Los Angeles
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jelson25, Public domain
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Santa Monica State Beach (About 25 km west of Downtown). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in August–September.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- August–September
- Warmest sea
- 21°C (70°F)
The beaches
About 25 km west of Downtown · Families and first visits
1.Santa Monica State Beach
A wide, sandy beach on both sides of the pier with volleyball nets, the beach bike path and lifeguard towers.
About 25 km west of Downtown · People-watching and skating
2.Venice Beach
A broad beach beside the Ocean Front Walk, Muscle Beach and the skate park.
About 30 km south-west of Downtown · Surfing and volleyball
3.Manhattan Beach
A long beach below a pier and a town of beach houses in the South Bay, popular for surfing and volleyball.
About 30 km south-west of Downtown · Beach bars and volleyball
4.Hermosa Beach
A South Bay beach town with a pier, volleyball courts and bars along Pier Avenue.
About 55 km west of Downtown · Long beach days
5.Zuma Beach
A long, wide Malibu beach with lifeguards, large car parks and rolling surf.
About 60 km west of Downtown · Photography and sunsets
6.El Matador State Beach
A small cove in western Malibu with sea stacks and arches, reached by a steep path from a clifftop car park.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C (59°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| February | 15°C (59°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| March | 15°C (59°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| April | 16°C (61°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| June | 18°C (64°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| July | 20°C (68°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| August | 21°C (70°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| September | 21°C (70°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| October | 19°C (66°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| November | 17°C (63°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| December | 16°C (61°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families, beach and couples
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is the most practical beach base: the pier and Pacific Park, the pedestrian Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park on the bluffs and a bike path along the sand to Venice. The Metro E Line runs from Downtown Santa Monica station to Downtown LA, and the centre is easy to explore on foot by LA standards.
- Good
- Beach, pier and promenade within walking distance; Direct Metro rail to Downtown; Cooler sea breezes in summer
- Watch out
- Expensive hotels; Long drive to Hollywood and the east side; Grey, foggy mornings in May and June
- Nearby
- Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park, Venice Beach
Getting to the beaches
- Metro — Metro rail's B Line links Downtown with Hollywood and Universal City, the E Line runs from Downtown to Santa Monica via Exposition Park, the A Line reaches Pasadena and Long Beach, and the D Line serves Koreatown.
- Car — A car gives the most freedom for Malibu, the Getty, Griffith Park and day trips.
- Bus — Metro buses run along the main boulevards, Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus serves the Westside, and DASH minibuses circulate around Downtown and Hollywood.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in May–October. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Car break-ins are common, so never leave bags or valuables visible in a parked car. Some Downtown blocks and parts of Hollywood and Venice can feel unsettled at night, so use rideshare after dark. Respect lifeguard warnings at the beaches, and follow official alerts during wildfires or extreme heat. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Los Angeles have beaches?
Yes: Santa Monica State Beach, Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Zuma Beach and El Matador State Beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Los Angeles?
Usually August–September, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Los Angeles?
Santa Monica State Beach: A wide, sandy beach on both sides of the pier with volleyball nets, the beach bike path and lifeguard towers.