Location: Los Angeles
Top Things to do in Los Angeles
Top 8 Beaches in Los Angeles, California (CA)
Hollywood beckons to tourists who long for a brush with Tinseltown glamor. Tour movie studios, slip your hands into the famous prints at the TCL Chinese Theatre, or indulge in a celeb sighting at one of LA’s white-hot nightspots. Spot your favorite star while shopping at The Grove, or forget all about the famous eye candy as you take in the iconic artwork at The Getty Center. For a different type of star-gazing, peek through the telescopes at the Griffith Observatory.
Restaurants in Los Angeles
1. Will Rogers State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By mesatraveler - Mesa, United States
This is one of the less crowded beaches between Venice and Malibu and certainly one of the best. It's the Pacific as you imagined it, with level white sand and clear views to the horizon. Parking seems to be the issue with many visitors, but ignore them. Parking is nine bucks - this is California - but it puts you right on the beach, steps from the sand, while others are looking for free on-street parking and end up carrying tons of gear for several city blocks. Too much waster time and effort!
2. Royal Palms State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By CAZADOR-CA - Los Angeles, United States
We really enjoyed our afternoon exploring the tidepools and running from the waves. There are two parts of the beach there's the rocky shoreline where you can access the tide pools at low tide and if you'd like to climb down some rocks there is a sandy beach as well. You do need to pay for parking and the cost of parking depends on the time of day. The parking kiosks do take credit cards. If you are willing to hike down the hill then you can park for free on the street. The beach area is very exposed with very little shade so if you are planning to spend the day here you may want to bring a canopy or umbrella. There are also not a lot of services so you'll want to pack in/pack out. Unfortunately this is not a nature preserve area and there are those who will come through the tidepools picking up animals and killing as bait or collecting them. In the tidepools there are some deeper areas and kids will be able to snorkel around. It's not super deep but it is deep enough that you can swim around a little bit. When we were there there was a lifeguard on duty. I'd suggest that you bring water shoes for the tidepools and the rocky beach in general. And please remember to clean up after yourselves!! There was quite a bit of trash and beach toys around, hopefully we can protect and preserve this beautiful place. It's a local gem!
3. Playa Del Rey Beach
4. Venice Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 10,761 reviews
Lively, popular and crowded beach close to Los Angeles.
Reviewed By emmarQ2878SK
The most fun relaxing day out enjoying fresh sea breeze and the interesting eclectic bohemian free spirit energy of the beautiful Venice Beach California Coast ! -minus the hoity-toity wannabe upper class judging snobbery of say A little bit further up or down the California coast. Venice Beach is down to earth hippie fun vibe great food great street performers relaxing energy great day out with teenage kids and dogs -Think Xanadu (80s roller skating movie) vegan Yogi muscle Beach incense burning market shopping cozy comfortable stylish grunge with a fun great music fashion Laid-back California vibe ♥️ A Must visit whenever you’re close to LA LA LAND !
5. Venice Beach Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,969 reviews
Anything and everything on this famous concrete strip - from hippies to skateboarders, you will see it all here.
Reviewed By LKS85 - Wigan, United Kingdom
The boardwalk is a colourful, liberating, accepting place that we fell head over heels in love with! A must visit for everyone who visits LA! Unlike mentioned in a review below, there is a great restaurant called The Sidewalk right on/in the middle of the boardwalk that we went to twice, it was perfect for people watching! There are so many little eateries on the little roads that lead up to the boardwalk to, just a few steps off the front and there are plenty of fast food outlets with great selections. The scooters are an absolute MUST, $1 to unlock and and just 15 cents per minute of use and you cam leave them anywhere! Since of the best fun we had all holiday. You do get an intermittent smell of cannabis but as cannabis users ourselves it doesnt bother us at all, although it's not as rife or as frequent as some are making out. And it just adds to the atmosphere, vibe and freedom of Venice!
6. Cabrillo Beach
7. Dockweiler State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By 610charj - Indianapolis, United States
Parking was $9 and then we had access to beach and fire pits to enjoy the sunset and evening ocean air. Bring your own wood, recommend beach chairs and blankets as it gets chilly. They allow alcohol on the beach. Felt safe and enjoyable parking lot is lit and there were periodic patrols.
8. Muscle Beach Venice
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,591 reviews
Weight lifters still strut their stuff at this outdoor gym where, in the 30s, 40s and 50s, crowds would gather to watch young men and women honing their bodies, some of whom, like Vic Tanny and Jack LaLanne, went on to fame in the fitness world.
Reviewed By GeorgeVreelandHill - Beverly Hills, United States
Muscle Beach is where body building legends have trained. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dave Draper and many others have called this their muscle home. Almost anyone can sign up for a fee (less than you might think) and get a year long pass to use the place. The body building championships are great and a must-see experience. Muscle Beach is historic and it's in Venice Beach. Very cool. George Vreeland Hill
