Discover Los Angeles' best beaches for summer

VENICE BEACH 

Venice Beach was founded in 1905 by entrepreneur Abbot Kinney, whose visits to Italy inspired him to build a “Venice of America”. Discover historic canals, picturesque bridges and the leafy, pedestrian-only paths known as “walk streets”. Head to Venice’s beach and boardwalk for cafes, souvenir shops, street performers, skate and bike rentals, and more. The boardwalk’s Beach Recreation Center is a hotspot for people watching with the iconic Venice skatepark where crowds regularly form to watch skateboarders shred and Muscle Beach gym where bodybuilders flaunt their strength and Arnold Schwarzenegger once pumped iron. 

PACIFIC PALISADES

Driving north from Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway is Pacific Palisades. Beaches here include Will Rogers State Beach, once owned by the cowboy actor who was Hollywood’s highest paid star in the 1930s. 

MALIBU

Continue north on Pacific Coast Highway from Pacific Palisades to enjoy beaches and parks in Malibu, including Malibu Creek State Park, Dan Blocker Beach and El Matador State Beach. Climb the cliff at Point Dume State Beach and watch the waves crash at Zuma Beach, a local favourite where Taylor Swift filmed the video for “22.” 

MANHATTAN BEACH 

Considered the birthplace of beach volleyball, Manhattan Beach is home to the famed annual AVP Manhattan Beach Open tournament and hosts endless amateur games played all along the beach. Just offshore, surfers await their moment of glory, while on the pier, you’ll find the Roundhouse Aquarium. 

HERMOSA BEACH

At the base of Hermosa Pier, spot the sculpture of Tim Kelly, a legendary surfer and lifeguard credited with inspiring LA’s lifeguarding program. Both the pier and Hermosa’s storied Lighthouse Cafe, a live music venue, were featured in the movie “La La Land.” 

REDONDO BEACH 

The Redondo Beach Pier and Marina offers everything from bars, cafes and souvenir shops to rentals for fishing poles, boats and bikes. One strategy for exploring Redondo and nearby beaches is to rent a pedal-assisted electric bike from Beach E Biking (they’ll teach you how to use it), and head north along the bike path, back through Hermosa and Manhattan Beach.