9 Awesome Beaches in Los Angeles For Every Personality Type

One of the best things about Los Angeles is, hands down, its beach scene. And while we can’t choose faves, we can absolutely acknowledge that all the things that make a beach great depend on the traveler; which is why we’ve compiled a list of the best beaches in Los Angeles and divided them up by personality types. Whether you want to relax by the Pacific, run around with your dog, take your S.O. to a romantic coastal spot, catch a swell or two, or just hang around other beachgoers in general, there’s a beach in Los Angeles that’ll have you hooked on first sight. 

The Best L.A Beach For Dog Lovers: Rosie’s Dog Beach

Address: 5000 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach
Amenities: Restrooms, showers, lifeguard, bike path
Dogs allowed: Yes

Perhaps the most popular off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County is Rosie’s Dog Beach—a slice of paradise for doggos and owners alike. Just off of Ocean Boulevard in the charming town of Long Beach, Rosie’s is one of the best beaches in L.A. to let your dog run around and splash in the shallow waters. Plus, you’ll find all the essential amenities here to keep the sands clean, such as trash cans, poop scoops, and restrooms.

The L.A. Beach to Workout: Venice City Beach

Address: Windward Ave and Ocean Front Walk, Los Angeles
Amenities: Skatepark, basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, restrooms, showers, lifeguard, bike path, kids play area, restaurants
Dogs allowed: No

Venice Beach is one of the liveliest L.A. beaches for those who like to keep it moving on a coastal outing. Run along the miles of silky sands, swim in the waters of the Pacific, catch a gentle wave or two, bike the Venice Beach Boardwalk, and join muscle men lifting huge weights at Muscle Beach.

The Best Beach in L.A. For Surfers: Malibu Surfrider Beach

Address: 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Amenities: Fishing pier, lifeguard, restrooms, showers, volleyball court, museum
Dogs allowed: No

The Malibu Surfrider beach is one of the most iconic surfing destinations in the state. Situated just off the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway, this beach near Los Angeles offers the unique opportunity to experience three different breaks in one place. If you’re checking out this L.A. beach for the first time, be aware that the third point is sort of the designated spot for beginners, while the other two points serve more experienced riders.

The Best Los Angeles Beach For Introverts: Carbon Beach

Address: 22126 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Amenities: No facilities
Dogs allowed: No

Have you given up on the idea of finding Los Angeles County beaches that aren’t overrun by crowds? Let us introduce you to a hidden gem by the name of Carbon Beach. This beach in Los Angeles isn't private, but it certainly feels like it. Walking behind the ultra-wealthy's mansions will put you in the company of a few other people, but other than that, this lengthy expanse of sand remains virtually undiscovered. The sand is smooth and comfortable, making it ideal for a romantic day spent curled up with your significant other or for a lonely languid afternoon. The water is also great for swimming.

The Best Los Angeles Beach For Extroverts: Manhattan Beach

Address: Manhattan Beach Boulevard and The Strand, Manhattan Beach
Amenities: Pier, lifeguards, restrooms, showers, bike path, volleyball courts, kids play area, restaurants
Dogs allowed: No

Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles is the embodiment of the famed California lifestyle popularized on TV. Along this lovely stretch of sand, you’ll find year-round tans, beach cruisers gliding by with their dogs, good-looking people playing volleyball, and many families enjoying their day-offs. You’ll be surrounded by people, but not in the annoying “oh my, this is too crowded” way, but more so in the “this is what going to the beach in L.A. should be all about” way.

The L.A. Beach For Photography Enthusiasts: Santa Monica State Beach

Address: 2600 Barnard Way, Santa Monica
Amenities: Restrooms, showers, kids play area, picnic tables, volleyball and tennis courts, bike path, lifeguards, fishing pier
Dogs allowed: No

Santa Monica State Beach is the most popular out of all the Santa Monica beaches for its plethora of activities available year-round. We singled out this beach near Los Angeles for photography enthusiasts; the sheer variety of subjects for you to snap will keep you occupied till dawn. Roller coaster riders, surfers, mouthwatering foods, luxury hotels, gorgeous sunsets—you can capture almost anything you want on Santa Monica Beach.

The L.A. Beach For Sunset Lovers: El Matador State Beach

Address: 32200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Amenities: Caves, toilets, picnic tables
Dogs allowed: No

El Matador is the kind of beach an Angeleno takes you to straight from the airport. This rocky natural beauty—only accessed down a steep staircase—has one of the most eye-catching shorelines from all of the beaches in Los Angeles. And once the lovely shades of pink, orange, purple, and blue melt together in the sky, it becomes even more beautiful than it already was, as hard to believe as that may be.

The L.A. Beach For Romantics: Lechuza Beach

Address: 31712 Broad Beach Road, Malibu
Amenities: No facilities
Dogs allowed: No

Lechuza Beach is another well-kept secret in Malibu with enticing rock formations similar to the ones at El Matador—sans the crowds. Find access to this practically private beach in Los Angeles via the cul-de-sac at Bunnie Lane, and you’ll come across a tree-covered corridor and a few flights of stairs that'll take you straight to the sands. If you’re looking to enjoy a pretty picnic with your S.O. by the beach without the fear of a volleyball hitting your heads at any given moment, this is the Los Angeles County beach you should head out to.