For those of you that either live in or have been to LA, I think you will agree that one of the best things about the diverse City of Angels is the beach.
Talking about the beach being a fun thing to do seems like a no-brainer, but if you aren’t from around here, you probably wouldn’t know which one to go to. So which beach is the best?
Well, like most things, it depends on who you ask and what you’re looking for. I, have my favorites and in this blog post I’m going to highlight the best ones to check out if you are visiting LA for the first time.
I’ll showcase two beaches that are right next to one another and are probably the most popular ones in LA County: Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach. Both are easy to get to and really should be added to any Los Angeles travel itinerary.
I’ll also highlight some of the other amazing beaches to consider checking out too, there is a lot of choice!
1. Santa Monica
Overall, my favorite beach is Santa Monica because there is so much to do there! On the beach itself, there is an old pier complete with a colorful Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and old fishermen. Kids run around with cotton candy and teens play in the arcade, while lovers stroll on the old wooden planks and take it all in.
There are two seafood restaurants there – The Lobster, which I have never been to and is really expensive, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, which is affordable and tasty (albeit corporate). Bubba’s is festive, with great views and delicious coconut shrimp, as well as a wide variety of cocktails for a sundowner! The pier is a romantic place to go anytime of the day, but you can’t beat it for the sunset views.
On a clear day, you can look quite far up the hilly coast and watch the sailboats that meander by. You might even spot a dolphin or two! A word to the wise: A walk in the sand is recommended, but a swim is not! The water in Santa Monica (and Venice Beach, which I will get to in a minute) is very polluted. Surfers have been known to actually get sick after a day out in our awesome waves. I should also mention that the Pacific is freezing and the waves are very strong!
It gets pretty chilly on the coast, so don’t forget to bring a jacket—especially if you want to spend some time strolling around the Third Street Promenade. The promenade is a pedestrian street located behind the sea-facing restaurants, hotels, and bars. You can’t miss it. At its Southern end, there is a decent mall with a good food court and lots of stores. The real shopping and dining, however, is on the promenade itself. High-end stores intermingle with mainstream shops and local boutiques.
There are three movie theatres and restaurants for every taste and budget. My favorite is a chicken schwarma place inside the building with McDonalds. There’s a Johnny Rockets if you want to go to a fun 1950’s diner for burgers and shakes and there are plenty of places to get your caffeine fix. Right now, as far as bookstores, there’s just a huge Borders, but it fits the bill in a pinch. Some of the stores include Sephora, Papyrus, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and French Connection. There really is something for everyone.
The best part of Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, though, is its bevy of performers. All along the walkway, passersby can be entertained from the early afternoon until late at night. Stop and watch a hip hop group bust some moves or listen to a classical violinist. Get your fortune told or watch the man covered from head to toe in silver paint do his robot dance (he’s a regular). There are boy-band hopefuls, Latina dancers, belly dancing, magicians, and tragic guys with guitars. Every day is different and it’s always entertaining. If you like what you see, drop a few coins in the hats and guitar cases of the artists—they are what make this one of the most unique places in L.A.
The Promenade is also one of the main places in LA where people get together to discuss all kinds of issues. Activists sit at tables laden with bumper stickers for every cause imaginable. You may see someone holding a hand painted sign with Bible verses and the Hare Krishna’s are always out with their drums and tracts. Artists hawk their wares and musicians sell their CD’s. Sometimes there’s a protest and you’ll pass at least one group of punk anarchists who stare at the crowds indifferently and smoke their bummed cigarettes.
2. Venice Beach
If you want to pack more into your day (or the Promenade was too much for you), then head south along the coast to Venice Beach. This is the place to buy your incense, sign a petition, and buy the bong or pipe of your dreams. In other words, this is where the hippies hang out. The sidewalk next to the sand is always full of pedestrians and there’s also a bike path that runs along the coast for many miles. If you feel up to some bike riding or rollerblading, you can actually go from the Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach (less of a parking hassle too).
There are loads of boutiques with imported goods from India and Southeast Asia as well as more tourist trap shops than you can imagine. Grab a hot dog and fries from one of the greasy cafes or sit outside at a nice restaurant and have a beer or a salad. On the opposite side of the pathway is where all the artists put their tables. You can buy some really unique work for decent prices or get a more traditional watercolor of the beach. There’s always some jewelry and strange knickknacks – so make sure to browse the stands!
On Sundays, check out the drum circle that happens on the beach. You can’t miss the huge group of dreadlocked guys and gals out on the sand creating a spontaneous symphony with their various drums. Bring your own bongo. For something really out there, check out the Venice Beach Freak Show. Look for the kid with the snake selling tickets in front of the small show space that is wedged between stores. You can also get a tattoo, but I would recommend getting it done somewhere else, if only because the prices will be more expensive.
Venice also has its fair share of performers and you will most likely see some strange performance art and maybe a circus act. Each day is different! The streets all around Santa Monica and Venice have a variety of cute coffee houses, restaurants, and boutiques. If you are just coming to LA for a few days, this would be a fun area to stay in. The hotels are expensive, but worth it if you want to have a really special trip.
3. Matador Beach, Malibu
My new favorite spot on the LA coastline is Matador Beach. It’s pretty far up PCH 1, but well worth the drive. Because it is in Malibu, the beach is terrifically clean and one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. It has a small parking lot, but there is plenty of street parking. It’s a steep climb down the beach on a long staircase, but it is well worth it. The rock formations and views are breathtaking. Bring a blanket, a bottle of wine, and the person you love. Need more convincing? I have been to two impromptu weddings of friends there in this year alone!
Trying to tour Los Angeles can be challenging because of the traffic, which can be miserable during certain parts of each day. The city is also very spread out and decentralized, so it can be difficult to navigate as you search for things to see and do. However, making the effort is worth it, as the city has a lot to offer. No matter what you are looking for, Santa Monica and Venice have something for everyone.
More Top Rated Beaches in Los Angeles
If you have more time to explore Los Angeles these beaches are recommended:
• Little Corona Del Mar Beach – great for everyone
• Huntington Beach – attractive locals, surfers, bonfires and beach volleyball – what more can you want
• Seal Beach – underrated and lesser known beach town
• Rosie’s Dog Beach – perfect if you have a dog
• Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo Beaches – some scenic local beach towns to check out
• Will Rogers State Beach – less touristy than most already mentioned
• Zuma Beach – beaurtufil soft sand!
Tips for Visiting the Beach in LA
You could use public transport, private taxi like Uber, book a tour hire a car. If you are renting a car in LA, you have to look at ALL the signs posted near your parking space or you WILL get a ticket or have your car towed. This is especially true near the beach, where it is always crowded and parking can be scarce. To save time and avoid the hassle, you can use the all-day beach parking located right by the sand. This can be expensive (between six and ten dollars), but well worth it if time and patience are running short.
If you enjoyed this article you might like to check out more of my USA travel tips.
