The City of Angels is undeniably among the most famous cities in the world—all thanks to Hollywood and its gorgeous beaches. Indeed, there is no better place to experience the quintessential summer in Southern California other than Los Angeles’ beaches, which are virtually sunny all year long. But what makes LA’s gorgeous beaches worth the hype is that aside from swimming and surfing in its clear blue waters and sunbathing in its golden sands, there are plenty of other activities you can do here. For instance, you can explore its impressive geological features as well as its tide pools. You will also find that Los Angeles’ beaches are quite unique from any other city’s beaches as LA’s beaches are alive and vibrant with a culture that is unique to them. There are even street performers, amusement parks, restaurants, bars, cafes, and, most especially, a buzzing nightlife scene that you wouldn’t want to miss.
So, if you are planning on booking tours to USA, make sure you add the following LA beaches to your itinerary for an unforgettable summer escapade!
Santa Monica Beach
Famed for its two-mile stretch of sand and old-school, East Coast feel, the Santa Monica Beach—found in the northern portion of the historic Santa Monica Pier—is arguably the quintessential and most famous beach in Los Angeles. This beach is a crowd favorite among sunbathers, beach volleyball players, and surfers.
Aside from swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and playing beach volleyball, beachgoers can also enjoy going to the amusement park, aquarium, arcades, and even a luxury shopping district in Santa Monica Pier. Here, you will also find lots of wonderful restaurants, exercise areas, bike paths, playgrounds for kids, and so much more. If you can book a reservation, grab some drinks and a meal at the Élephante, a chic Italian restaurant offering dining areas with ocean views, or at Giorgio Baldi, a luxurious restaurant that serves seafood and pasta plus a long wine list.
If you plan to stay in Santa Monica for a couple of days, you can book accommodations in Shutters on the Beach, a luxury beachfront hotel famed for its grand Victorian beach hotel vibe with a twist of a modern California style. The hotel is direcly next to the beachfront promenade and only a stone’s throw away from the sandy beach.
Manhattan Beach
If you fancy a quieter and more upscale beach than Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach is the perfect LA beach for you. Prepare your best beach outfit so you won’t feel out of place because everywhere you look, you’ll see beautiful people with oversized sunglasses in their shiny cars with little lap dogs.
This beach is famed for its picturesque pier, where most Hollywood movies are filmed. It is also the best place to watch the most gorgeous sunset in Los Angeles. Apart from that, it is also widely visited by tourists and locals alike for the annual Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament held here. You will also surely love the beach’s scenic ocean views, along with its surf spot and cute picnic area. There are also plenty of chic restaurants here offering stunning sea views. Before you leave, make sure you visit the aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Pier so that you can see fascinating sea creatures up close and even touch some starfish and other marine animals in the aquarium’s touch pool.
Venice Beach
If you are looking for a beach that’s more hip and trendy, Venice Beach is the perfect choice. It is known for its bohemian vibe, Muscle Beach outdoor gym, and the lively street performers clad in colorful attires. Among the crowd favorites is Harry Perry, a turbaned guitar player rollerblading down the boardwalk. He even appeared in many films and TV shows filmed here at Venice Beach. Bodybuilders, musicians, breakdancers, palm readers, various kinds of folk artists, and even chainsaw jugglers will surely keep you entertained for hours on end.
There’s also a bike path, a skatepark, a wide assortment of shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as beach volleyball and tennis courts where you can play with your friends and family. But if you prefer less energy-intensive activities like people-watching, Venice Beach is also the perfect place to lounge about while eating ice cream from the cutest ice cream stands at the beachfront.
Paradise Cove Beach
The vibe in Paradise Cove Beach is exactly as the name suggests. This dreamy beach is truly a paradise, offering a secluded, relaxed atmosphere for introverted beachgoers who want nothing more than some peace and quiet so they can introspect while watching the waves crash endlessly onto the shores.
Although Paradise Cove Beach is a bit more secluded compared to other beaches in LA, you still have a wide range of restaurants to choose from, where you can enjoy delicious meals while admiring the oceanfront views. The serenity and tranquility this place offers are unparalleled, so you are guaranteed to catch a well-deserved break from the chaotic hustle and bustle of LA.
El Matador State Beach
If you are a hopeless romantic who dreams of watching picturesque sunsets at the beach with your lover, the shore of El Matador Beach is the perfect spot for you. This place has picnic areas where you can lay out some snacks and wine for the perfect beach date.
El Matador Beach is also an exceptional surfing spot, as it has robust waves and some of the clearest water in LA. After all, it is home to the world-famous Surfrider Beach surf spot. Also, because it is a secluded pocket beach, El Matador Beach also offers hiking trails with stunning sceneries along the way, such as colossal rock formations and sea caves that you can explore if you are feeling adventurous.