Under-the-Radar Beaches in LA for Sun, Sand, and Less Crowds
Our favorite places to enjoy sand, sun, and surf, plus the snacks nearby.
Los Angeles has a wealth of cultural institutions, delectable restaurants, and prime shopping, but we all know the real star: the beaches. From being prime spots to catch waves (or rays), go for a refreshing dip, or embark on a romantic stroll on the shore, Southern California’s beaches are simply inimitable.
Whether in LA or further south in San Diego, SoCal beaches are fun as hell, with refreshingly brisk water temperatures that are an absolute joy during the hot summer months, plus plenty of volleyball courts to play on and boardwalks to explore. Here are our favorite beaches and where to eat and drink before, during, and after a beach day.
This quiet, mostly residential beach in Rancho Palos Verdes flies under the radar, despite its abundant beauty and easy access. With plenty of hiking trails and a state ecological reserve with protected bluffs that make for a striking view of the Pacific, Abalone Cove is equally enjoyable whether you decide to make the most of available activities or lounge on the sand. It’s also got some of the best tidepools in California and a couple of large caves to explore.
Sections of the beach and tide pool areas have been closed due to falling rocks and unstable cliffs above so check the map to make sure you’re in an area that’s been deemed safe. Barbecues and fires are prohibited, as are dogs, unless they’re on-leash in the adjacent upper picnic area or on designated trails. Parking is free for 30 minutes then increases to $6 for two hours, and $12 for more than two hours.
The beach’s proximity to Rancho Palos Verdes means that the luxury dining at the oceanfront Terranea Resort is just minutes away. If that’s not your speed, stop in San Pedro on the way in or out for Tolucan green chorizo burritos at The Chori-Man, pastries and bread at Colossus, or brews at Brouwerij West.
After a long stretch of closures, some fire pits have finally been returned to Dockweiler beach and are available to use. Bonfires are illegal in Los Angeles for the most part, so their availability at Dockweiler sets this beach apart—just make sure you stake your spot early as they tend to fill up fast. If you’re looking for a challenge, take your barbecue game on the road—grab some meat from a local carniceria on your way over, and set up a makeshift grill over the fire.
Alcohol is not allowed at Dockweiler, and you’ll see a few police cruisers prowling around. We would never advise breaking the rules, which means we would never suggest you grab some fast food cups before you arrive and fill them up with the liquid of your choosing, making it much more difficult for any lurking law enforcement to spot. No way we’d ever advise that.
There’s not much near Dockweiler (unless you’re trying to eat at LAX), so it’s gonna be a BYOPicnic kind of day. Stop at a luxury grocery store in Playa Vista or El Segundo to grab supplies, or maybe just snag a pizza at The Slice & Pint.
The sunsets at Hermosa are nearly impossible to top, and you can catch them from the edge of the long pier to end a lovely day or kick off a romantic evening. Hermosa Cyclery is a great place to start your day if you’re in the mood to rent some bikes and enjoy the sea breeze on The Strand. And if you’re a fan of beach volleyball, Hermosa’s got plenty of courts for you.
Don’t expect the Hermosa Beach Pier to be anything like the Santa Monica Pier—no rides and carnival games here, just a chill pier that sports some special views when the sun dips down. Hermosa is smoke free, which means that vaping and smoking of all kinds are not allowed in any of the public spaces.
Hermosa Beach has some quality restaurants, particularly if you want a drink to go with them. Try Baran’s 2239 for breakfast burritos in the morning or the Indian Egg at night, the Tunisian snacks and crisp Spanish white wine at Barsha, and Palmilla Cocina y Tequila for Mexican food and (you guessed it) lots of tequila.
This state park is part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, but it’s actually north of Malibu, making it far more secluded than Santa Monica could ever be. There are 1.5 miles dedicated to swimming, surfing, windsurfing, and camping. Just 28 miles north of Santa Monica, it feels like getting out of the city, but there are token showers and electrical hookups. Leo Carrillo is popular for locals looking for a long weekend trip. If you prefer geocaching, windsurfing, or doing any activity that isn’t just suntanning? This is the place for you.
As of February, the North Beach parking lot is closed, so make sure to park in the South Beach parking lot. Dogs are allowed in day-use areas but not on backcountry trails or South Beach. This is also a rare beach that allows burning firewood, Duraflame, and charcoal briquettes when fire level permits. A sign near the entrance will tell you whether it’s a fire pit day. You can rent your campground online.
Since this is a state park, it’s a little more removed from civilization. You’ll want to bring things you can cook over a fire. If you do want to leave the campground, though, Neptune’s Net is a popular seafood restaurant with a catch of the day and amazing burgers.
For those of us who may actually be a little sick of the heat, a northern beach like Oxnard is a dream. It’s generally at least 15 degrees cooler, and the vibe is undeniably relaxed. Only an hour’s drive from LA, there’s a ton of fun stuff to do in Oxnard, ranging from jet ski rentals to backpacking trips through the Channel Islands—which Oxnard’s beaches provide a stellar view of. Thinking of renting a beach house for a weekend somewhere? You’ll find plenty of beaches along Oxnard’s coast, but Oxnard Beach itself might be the prize. The waves are absolutely stunning, and it’s adjacent to the dog-friendly Oxnard Beach Park, which is wonderful for picnicking, kite flying, perching on sand dunes, and creepily (but lovingly) staring at other people’s dogs.
Parking is plentiful and cheap, at $1 per hour or $5 for the whole day (cash only). You can bring your dog as long as it’s on a leash, and since Oxnard Beach is located on the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route, it’s a good place to bring your bike. Reservations are required for group picnics, so give them a call (at 805-385-7946) to grab a spot.
If you skip Carnitas El Rey, you’re doing it wrong. The move here is, of course, the carnitas, which they sell in individual tacos as well as by the pound. Fisherman’s Catch is a perfect spot for fresh seafood on the water, and if you’re into Hazy IPAs and Farmhouse Saisons, Casa Agria Specialty Ales makes some of the best in Southern California, the perfect thing to dilute the salt water you swallowed after your jet ski wipeout.
Most know Black’s Beach in La Jolla, San Diego, as one of California’s only nude beaches, but North Rincon (known by locals as Bates Beach) is another low-key spot where you can get rid of your tan lines or take advantage of right-hand waves that make this beach the best surfing spot on the Central Coast. The three-mile beach is fairly narrow and rocky in some parts, so head across the street to Rincon Park County Beach if you prefer a wider stretch of sand. A bit further up the coast is the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Reserve where you can take advantage of trails and the Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary Overlook where you can see seals sunbathing down below.
Naturists fought hard to maintain the clothing-optional section of the beach, and in 2017, the County Parks Department and County Sheriff agreed to stop ticketing nudists unless there was a complaint. The “No Nudity” sign remains at the top of the ramp that leads to the beach, but about 1,200 feet to the west you’ll find another sign that warns that you’re “Entering Clothing-Optional Area,” which marks the beginning of their approved area.
Fuel up for the day with breakfast at the Worker Bee Cafe and its menu of hearty American diner fare, or cap off your evening at Zooker’s to sample some locally-sourced seafood and veggies. Teddy’s by the Sea is another local favorite for seafood, complete with a spacious patio that gives you a clear view of the town’s main block Carpinteria Avenue.
Rosie’s Dog Beach is just what you’re imagining it to be—an off-leash paradise for your pooch in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore. Rosie’s plays host to lots of fun dog events too, so any time you’ve gotten a Facebook invite from an ex-coworker for something like “Cowboy Bebop Corgi Cosplay Beach Day,” odds are it was at Rosie’s.
Hours for dogs are 6 am–8 pm, so technically your best friends aren’t allowed on the beach outside of that time. Also take note that the beach is not fenced in, and while some poop bags are available from dispensers, it’s wise to bring your own.
Long Beach has a fantastic and rapidly-evolving food culture, including some of the greater LA area’s best Cambodian cooking at A&J Seafood Shack. The pizza down there is killer too, from the New York-style pies at Little Coyote to the modern sourdough stuff at Speak Cheezy and beyond. And don’t get us started on the craft breweries and the LGBTQ bar scene.
Zuma’s the type of place you likely picture when you think of Los Angeles beaches—a wide sandy stretch under gently crumbling cliffs with clear water that forms a perfect surfer’s break… and they shot a whole lot of Baywatch here. Zuma’s one of the biggest beaches in all of LA, so despite its popularity, you should still be able to settle into a nice spot. It’s also where you’ll find Point Dume, a gigantic bluff that juts into the ocean. If you’re a rock climber, get yourself to the top for a truly magical view with sea lions lounging around.
There’s tons of parking, but due to Zuma’s hustle and bustle it can get a bit pricier than other beaches—summer rates can go up to $10 for the day (and no overnight parking is allowed). Be sure to take advantage of the perks though, like usually-not-very-gross bathrooms, showers, and volleyball courts.
There are food stands at either end of the beach, but any wonderful Malibu day could begin (or end) at Malibu Wines—it’s the gold standard for day drinking in Los Angeles. If you prefer to sip wines and eat light snacks with the beach as your background, head to Malibu Farm Cafe and Restaurant on the Malibu Pier. For a more laid-back option, the Malibu outpost of Broad Street Oyster Co. has fresh seafood, funky wines, and great vibes at Malibu Village outdoor shopping mall.
Ashley Ray-Harris is a LA transplant who will only consider herself a native when she has her children here. She’s a TV writer and stand-up comic whose work has been featured in Bust, Vulture, and the New York Times. She was a 2021 HBO Queer Comic to Watch and a 2023 BET Black Woman Comic to Watch. Her writing has appeared in The Cut, New York Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan.