Which Los Angeles County Beach Is Right for You?

Visit Los Angeles County, a wonderland of sunshine and palm trees with some of the most breathtaking photo-worthy beaches you can find in the U.S. But since there are so many to choose from, how do you figure out which Los Angeles beach you should visit?

If you said “All of them,” then great—we think you should visit all of them. But if you have only a short window of opportunity during your visit, we’ll help you narrow your options. To decide the best place to plant your toes, consider the proximity to your hotel, who you’re hanging with and how you wish to spend your day. Surfing lessons, anyone?

Bask in the dog days at Long Beach

Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach is the perfect spot for both you and your furry companion to enjoy the surf and sand.

Traveling with your four-legged friend? Don’t fret. You can take your furry pal out for a day of socializing, sunbathing and maybe even a surfside run at Rosie’s Dog Beach, an off-leash area that’s fun for friendly, well-behaved pups and their friendly, well-behaved owners. Rosie’s is one of Los Angeles County’s few dog beaches, and it’s free and open to the public from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Metered parking is available, and there are bags and pooper scoopers in some areas. Find pet-friendly hotels in Los Angeles.

Stir up romance in Manhattan Beach

For a romantic evening, stroll along Manhattan Beach and its famous pier.

If you’ve got a hot date, check out Manhattan Beach and its famous pier. Just a few miles from the El Segundo business district, Manhattan Beach is less touristy than Santa Monica (there are no rides, carnival games or diversions) and more romantic place, the perfect place to walk the boardwalk, catch the sunset and whisper sweet nothings to a new friend or long-time companion. Add a little education to your date night with a visit to the free Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the pier. The aquarium’s hours vary by season and are listed on its website. Catch dinner or drinks at Fishing With Dynamite—oysters and cocktails are always a good idea.

Watch the people in Venice and Santa Monica

Check out the scene at Venice Beach, which is known for its rollerbladers, street performers and active boardwalk.

These two beaches border each other, so we lumped them into one. Though Venice is definitely more of a party beach (the boardwalk is always popping with local vendors, entertainment and music), you can also bring a book, headphones and a towel and plop down on the sand for some time alone. Santa Monica is family-friendly and a bit quieter. If you’ve got little ones in tow, head to the Santa Monica Pier for a ride on the world’s only solar powered Ferris wheel. The kiddos will be thrilled, and you’ll get to bask in panoramic views of the coast and city.

There’s no need to pick one over the other—you can get from Venice to Santa Monica on foot or via a bike path that connects the beaches.

Hang ten in Malibu

Not only is Malibu known for celebrity spotting and great wine, this beach city with 27 miles of coastal goodness is also the preferred destination for surfers. Made popular thanks to ’50s and ’60s surfing movies like Gidget, Surfrider Beach produces picture-perfect swells, like the famous Malibu Point. Surfers reign here; swimming areas are limited. Be sure to check the surf report before heading out.

Ready to travel? Find hotels in Los Angeles.