Happy New Year! I wanted to start 2023 off by going back to where my life began.
Before moving to Virginia, I was born and lived in the Los Angeles area. I moved across the country when I was six, but still have a ton of family that live around the South Bay. Because of this, we’ve been back over quite a few times since moving. One of my favorite parts about LA are the beaches. They each have a unique character, holding some of Southern California’s most popular attractions.
As I write this, it’s 15 degrees in Virginia. As much as I’ve come to appreciate the cold, shoutout to Florida for teaching me the importance of seasons, I find myself dreaming of a warm summer day sitting on a beach in California.
While their differences make them unique, they’re also all connected by a super long bike trail! I’ve biked it many times, most recently with my friend Emily:
Here’s an introduction to the beaches, moving south -> north.
Palos Verdes
These beautiful cliffs mark the southern edge of Los Angeles. Palos Verdes Drive winds around the hills framing beautiful ocean views from every curve. Summiting the “mountain” yields stunning views of the Los Angeles skyline. You can even see the Disneyland fireworks to the east and the island of Catalina to the west!
If you look above, Palos Verdes Drive pretty much follows the hilly green cliffs. Driving this road is the best way to see the area; stop at every lookout! Each one has a different, not less stunning, view of the ocean. The view over Bluff Cove is one of my favorites.
At one point the road becomes incredibly uneven. Word on the street is the tectonic plates are constantly shifting, ever so slightly altering the road. The cracks need to be sealed and therefore make the road weaving around the cliffs different colors. It looks more like a patchwork than pavement.
There’s a number of trails winding through the brush into the desert cliffs while others stay along the beach. Three Sisters Cove has some of the coolest desert trails. The 2.5 mile loop climbs from PV drive up into the cliffs. If you opt to hike through the desert, watch out for rattlesnakes! They’re everywhere around these hills. Coyotes also frequent the area, but pose a bigger threat to neighborhood pets. Albalone Cove’s one-mile trail is a nice hike down to a sparkling cove reminiscent of Caribbean blue.
Point Vicente is one of the prettiest views in the state. A lighthouse sits on a point framing beautiful ocean views. It almost seems too cliche to be real, especially on a clear day when the peaks of Catalina Island rise out of the ocean. In season, December to April, this is one of the best places to see migrating whales from the cliffs. There’s yet another trail that winds on the edge of the cliffs as well as a small interpretive center and restrooms.
Staying at the Terranea Resort has been on my bucket list for so long. This gorgeous property takes inspiration from Mediterranean seaside hotels and was the first of it’s kind to open in Los Angeles! The four pools around the property are all very different. One sits oceanside while another has a waterslide. The grounds have stunning views of the ocean below. Like, look at color of the water at this private beach:
Just a stone’s throw away, the Wayfarer’s Chapel has become somewhat of an instagram Mecca. After seeing the giant glass windows overlooking the ocean, it isn’t hard to see why. I went to a Christmas Eve service here a few years ago. We finished the service with a candlelight rendition of Silent Night. The reflection of the candles on the glass while looking at the moon sparkling on the water was the perfect end to the service.
Perhaps the greatest view in the area comes from Vallon Drive off Hawthorne Blvd, with its full 180-degree vista of the Pacific.
As for the food, you can’t go wrong with Salsa Verdes, Cafe Pacific (at the Trump Golf Course…) and Reverent Coffee Bar.
Here’s the Must-Do’s:
- See the Vallon Drive View
- Drive over the “earthquake section” of PV Dr.
- Attend a service at the stunning Wayfarer’s Chapel
- Go whale watching at Point Vicente
- See a rattlesnake, safely!!!
- Watch the sunset from your Ocean View room at Terranea Resort
Torrance Beach
Okay, I’m a bit biased on this one – Torrance is where I was born and it’s the beach by my grandma’s house. This is my beach! But, how could you not be entranced by this view!?
With the imposing PV cliffs jutting into the ocean, it’s nothing short of a gorgeous. On a clear day, you can see the whole coast; watching planes soar over the ocean, spotting the beaches of Malibu and even following the mountains towards Santa Barbara.
These beaches are also relatively quiet. The cliffs mark a boundary between the rest of the world and the ocean, creating the illusion of seclusion.
Miramar Park has the best ocean views with a grassy area that’s perfect for sunset picnics. There’s even free bathroom facilities at the beach below.
The Riviera Village also has some small shops worth a visit.
The Yellow Vase has some of the best tomato soup in the country and Coffee Cartel’s cozy interior feels straight out of a movie. The Esplanade is the main road through town. Sitting on the edge of a cliff, it takes drivers up to Redondo with great views of the sparkling sea below.
Torrance Beach Must Do’s:
- Have a picnic at Miramar Park
- Bring Yellow Vase Tomato Bisque to said picnic
- Run down the Esplanade, gazing longingly at the ocean below
- Snap a picture of the ocean framed by Palos Verdes’ cliffs
Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach, in the scheme of LA, is a smaller and quieter town compared to its surroundings.
King Harbor is the best place to see Sea Lions in the South Bay! I have yet to make a trip by the pier without the thunderous barks from the ocean dwellers. It’s the perfect backdrop for dinner at Captain Kidd’s Fish Market. The seafood here tastes so fresh, because it is! They claim to have the “freshest fish in the South Bay” and steam crabs in front of you.
Nearby, the water underneath the pier is a different type of gorgeous.
Walk along the water, the closer to the jetty you get the more sea lions there are!
Seaside Lagoon is an ocean-fed waterpark open in the summer. It’s been a staple of the area since the sixties. The water comes heated and treated after cooling the nearby turbine at the plant.
Outside of these recommendations, Redondo Beach has a high concentration of chain restaurants, such as Cheesecake Factory. There’s also a huge plant that sits close to the coast. It’s pretty ugly, but has a huge whale mural that’s pretty cool.
Redondo Beach Must Do’s:
- See the sea lions
- Experience history at the Seaside Lagoon
- Grab a fresh fish sandwich at Captain Kidd’s
Hermosa Beach
“City of stars, are you shining just for me,” Ryan Gosling sings from this pier in La La Land. The Lighthouse Cafe, marking the pier’s end, was the site of the club Sebastian took Mia to. Big bands still play at this 1940’s era club and the sunsets from the pier still inspire all who see.
The pier is one of the longest in the area. You can walk all the way out into what feels like the middle of the ocean. It juts past the breaking point for the pounding surf, to where the ocean’s still. A statue of a surfer marks the Lifeguard Memorial at the base.
Hermosa Beach is where the cliffs bordering the ocean jump inland, giving way to luxurious mansions bordering the sand. They’re a sight themselves!
There’s beach volleyball courts lining the sand. Jump into an already existing game or start your own! Just expect to make some friends.
The area around the pier’s base is full of cheaper shopping and dining options. Lucky 7 Coffee is the perfect coffee shop for the beach, matching vibes with delicious espresso. It’s also woman owned! Hermosa Cyclery, about a block away, is where to launch a biking trip up The Strand. Scotty’s on the Strand has been a family favorite since my dad lived in LA 30 years ago. The diner serves fantastic food with huge windows ample for people-watching.
Hermosa Beach Must Do’s:
- Eat a stack of pancakes at Scotty’s on the Strand
- Dramatically recreational Ryan Gosling’s ‘City of Stars’ moment on the pier
- Listen to big band jazz at the Lighthouse Club
- Take a picture with the Lifeguard Memorial
- Walk all the way to the end of the pier
- Rent a bike to continue your journey up the coast
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is another residential town. The city was named after the New York borough, with ‘Beach’ fittingly added on.
The blocks closest to the water have a few shops and restaurants, most of which are upscale. Limited chain stores, especially maritime ones like Aviator Nation and Marine Layer have outposts here. Local shops are in the form of boutiques and surf shops.
The bookstore Pages is worth a stop and Manhattan Beach Creamery has delicious ice cream. The Strand House looks out on the ocean and has stunning sunset views through the GIANT windows with farm fresh food.
The city also has a pier. It’s not as long as the Hermosa one, but is home to the Roundhouse Aquarium. This aquarium actually sits OVER the ocean! It’s a free aquarium, but the hours are a bit odd, so be sure to double check them before visiting.
As with Hermosa beach, the houses here are gorgeous.
Ranging in a variety of styles, each has a different character. They’re fun to look at!
Manhattan Beach must do’s:
- Shop at the boujee botiques
- Visit the Roundhouse Aquarium
- Look for a book at Pages
El Segundo/Dockweiler
The main appeal of these beaches is both the recluse and the proximity to the airport. LAX borders the beach! If you have an extended layover at the airport, it’s easy to grab In-N-Out and hop over to the beach for a bit.
When visiting, it’s a spot to watch the planes take off. Plane watching is just so much nicer sprawled on the sand listening to the waves. As the airport ends by the beach, the planes fly RIGHT overhead. Heres a view from a departing flight:
There’s one that takes off about every other minute. A highlight is seeing the occasional A380 fly away.
Dockweiler State Beach keeps it as natural as you can get in LA. The State Beach preserves the sandy stretch paralleling the airport. Where Manhattan Beach has a ton of little shops, these beaches don’t. You’re going to want to head to the nearby Marina Del Ray for dining options.
Being a state beach, this is also a popular place for vans to camp out. Fittingly, there’s also a hang gliding launch site.
El Segundo Must Do’s:
- See an A380 take off
- Watch someone hang glide
- Stroll around the boats in Marina Del Ray
Venice Beach
Quintessential LA pt. 1
Venice Beach is the epitome of weird. Never have I ever seen so many people smoking weed on this packed stretch of sand.
It isn’t without its charms, as the skatepark is a great place to watch people do pretty impressive tricks. Muscle beach may be the world’s prettiest gym, even equipped with a hall of fame. The green patches of park force the strand to wind around beaming palms. Overall, it’s a perfectly manicured stretch of beach… until you look across.
We’ve never really stopped in the area, but the beach is lined with ‘quirky’ shops that all deserve a visit, or at the very least, a glance! From a million weed shops to the wonderful world of sex shops, Venice Beach truly has it all. The surf shops are my personal favorite, all perfectly curated to hit the waves after!
There’s a ton of street art which adds color and character to this section.
Aside from the oceanside walk, the canals are charming to walk around, though they’re not the most pedestrian friendly. Be careful!
Venice Beach Must Do’s:
- Attempt a trick at the skate park
- Catch a secondhand high
- Do a workout at new muscle beach
- Meander around the canals
Santa Monica Beach
Quintessential LA pr. 2
Santa Monica Pier is the start of every great cross-country road. Route 66 started the trend, ending it’s 2,500 mile journey from Chicago at the famed pier:
Now, Interstate 10 traces the south to Jacksonville, FL from the pier.
Being the closest beach to LA’s other attractions, it’s one of the busiest. Pacific Pier juts out into the ocean, with its picturesque West Coaster roller coaster and the Pacific Wheel. Each attraction is a pay-per-ride, so strolling around is free.
Free entertainment is also found in the never-ending street performers, and the original site of muscle beach rests next to the pier with a few bars and ropes.
Santa Monica may be the most tourist-centric of the beaches, but that means it lends the nicest hotels and an abundance of eateries.
The luxury hotel brands seem never-ending; The Fairmont, Shangri-La, JW Marriott, etc., but dont be offput by the imposing prices. Options like the stunning eco-friendly Shore Hotel offer the same proximity for half the price!
Downtown Santa Monica is literally four blocks from the beach and features an array of boutique shops and upscale national chains. I personally was expecting something like the Design District of Miami, but it morseo feels like the final boss of strip-malls…
Santa Monica also marks the end of the Strand, as the cars replace the bikes at the sand’s edge.
Santa Monica Must Do’s:
- Ride the West Coaster
- Climb to the top of a top at OG Muscle Beach
- Wake up to the ocean at one of the luxury hotels
- Take a photo with the iconic “End of Route 66” sign
- See a tacky street performer
Malibu
To be honest, this one’s a bit of a stretch. It hugs the coast outside of the South Bay, but is too iconic to omit.
Malibu sits right below the Santa Monica Mountains NRA, so a trip up into them is definitely needed. Parker Mesa overlook, off Topanga Canyon Road, is a gorgeous view of the entire South Bay. You can see everything from the skyline of LA to the Palos Verdes cliffs rising above the fog. God’s chosen few can even see a waterfall at Escondido Falls. Most of the time, the stream sits dry, good luck!
“Next to you, skies are blue; in Malibu,” sings Miley Cyrus as the mountains get steeper and the houses larger.
“Do you still hang around Malibu,” one of the Kardashians ask Lady Gaga. “I don’t see you at Starbucks anymore!”
The place is crawling with fame. One of the favorite restaurants, Nobu, sits right on the beach in this surf town. Why wouldn’t you opt for the Waygu? It’s only $38/oz! The boujee Japanese restaurant has a neighboring renovated motel. Taking Japanese influence, the space utilized the old motor lodge turning it into a trendy must-see.
Point Dume is my distinction for the end of Los Angeles. The shielded beach and pounding surf set it as one of the area’s best. I have yet to visit Malibu Lagoon, but the state beach’s set up reminds me more of a Floridian coast. Where else in SoCal has a lagoon sheltered from the ocean?!
Across the street, Malibu Village looks to be a ritzy shopping mall. The perfect place to grab breakfast is at local Marmalade Cafe, grabbing new trunks at the Marine Layer next door after. The iconic Surfing Cowboys store also takes residence here, a place the San Francisco Chronicle called “HQ for California dreaming.”
Ollo is another Californian restaurant, serving up farm to table meals, but Geoffrey’s view can’t be topped.
Malibu Must Do’s:
- Snap a selfie with a celebrity
- Eat at Nobu
- Check out the vintage boards at Surfing Cowboys
- See the skylines of the South Bay from Parker Mesa Overlook
- Get some fresh vegan food at one of the trendy restaurants
So there we have it! Los Angeles’ beaches truly can’t be topped. What other city has so many diverse options, which each seemingly more beautiful than the last?
Out of these, I’d have to say Torrance Beach is my favorite, Santa Monica is the one I’d like to explore more and Malibu is the one I’d visit right this second. You can’t go wrong with any of them!
Which beach is your favorite?
Turquoise Skies 