The 31 California Fun Facts You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
The Golden State is known for its unique history and unconventional spirit, but these interesting facts about California will surprise you.
When it comes to the City of Angels, there’s no such thing as the end of summer (well, not until November that is).
Consider yourself an avid beach bum? L.A. is bound to change your mind. And before you say you’ve seen Point Break enough times to give you a general idea—the “sand surf sun” holy trinity and all that jazz—highlighting the area’s most important asset is a must. When it comes to the City of Angels, there’s no such thing as the end of summer (well, not until November that is). That’s right, Angelenos are actually in a position to take a sun-filled summer’s day for granted (imagine that). So where does that leave you? Oh yes, at the beach.
We’ve put together a list of the best beaches in Los Angeles; whether you’re a dog owner, hang-glider, a snorkel junkie, or a bird-watcher, there’s a beach you're bound to love. So pack your all-time favorite swimsuit and retreat to the sandy paradise, where whiling away the hours and listening to the surf roll is pure joie de vivre.
Location: Windward Avenue and Ocean Front Walk, Venice
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Available at the west end of Hollywood Boulevard
Amenities: Grass park, skatepark, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and handball courts, restrooms, showers, lifeguard, children's play area
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Available
This Los Angeles beach is silky sands galore. The perfect place to lay down on a blanket and gaze out at the Pacific, Venice Beach is where all SoCal subcultures congregate. Street performers showcase their craft, vendors busk and sell their wares, and muscle men flex their strength—hence, the iconic name Muscle Beach.
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Location: 45th Street and The Strand, Manhattan Beach
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Available near the entrance
Amenities: Lifeguard, restrooms, showers, bike path, volleyball courts
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Available
One of La La Land’s finest, El Porto Beach boasts waves that are significantly larger than most of its neighbors—must be why surfers love this spot so much. But if you’re not particularly into the sport, fear not, because the bikes, skates, and volleyball courts await.
Location: 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Available near Paradise Cove Cafe
Amenities: Fishing pier, restaurant, restrooms, showers, tide pools, beach chairs
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Not applicable
Squeezed tight beneath the towering cliffs of Malibu, Paradise Cove is one of the best beaches near L.A. for introverts. It’s tiny and semi-private, filled with terraces, beach beds, and lounges; all of which are available for rent. If you want to get a great beach walk in, stroll from Escondido to Paradise Cove—the hues will take over from there.
Location: 22126 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Free along the Pacific Coast Highway
Amenities: None
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Not applicable
While this beach isn’t private, it certainly feels like it could be. Visit Carbon Beach and you’ll encounter only a few other folks enjoying their day on the long, stranded stretch—it’s about as secluded as Malibu gets. The water is tailor-made for relaxing dips and since there are no rocks, the sand is perfect to laze out on all day long.
Location: Imperial Highway and Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Available at the Dockweiler RV Park Campground
Amenities: Lifeguard, restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, paved bike path, fire pits, picnic tables, BBQs
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Available
This long sandy gem south of LAX is one of the most easily accessible in La La Land. With gentle breezes running through your hair and tickling your neck, swimming (and also hang gliding) here will prove an absolute treat. The water itself is crystal clear, so everything you do, you’ll see reflecting—photo op much?
Location: Manhattan Beach Boulevard and The Strand, Manhattan Beach
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Metered street parking available along Manhattan Avenue
Amenities: Pier, lifeguard, restrooms, showers, bike path, volleyball courts, kids play area, restaurant
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Available
If you ever want to witness California’s quintessential beach scene in action, this is the place to go. A stretch of sand dotted with year-round tans and beach cruisers galore gliding with dogs in their baskets—the whole scene looks straight out of a paradisiacal Hollywood series.
Location: 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Available along the Pacific Coast Highway
Amenities: Fishing pier, lifeguard, restrooms, showers, volleyball court, museum
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Not applicable
Though small, Malibu Surfrider Beach is an irreplaceable gem. Its wooden pier looks like it was made for romantic strolls and selfies, and the water is practically begging for a dip. Stroll the pier, and admire the rad surfers killin’ the righteous waves. And just as you thought things couldn’t get any better, Malibu Lagoon appears just to the west. The Lagoon Is located within the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, so birdwatching and trail exploration will keep you hooked on majestic Malibu. Regardless if you have time to spare, visiting the estuary is a must.
Location: 31712 Broad Beach Road, Malibu
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Free on Broad Beach Road
Amenities: Tide pools
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Not applicable
This lesser-known beach near Los Angeles has sparkling rock formations similar to the ones you’ll find along neighboring stretches of the coast; only this one is crowd-free. It’s so much less crowded, in fact, the beach practically qualifies as private. And while tide-pooling is rampant here, the beach is still sandy enough to lounge and disconnect from the outside world—with a good book in hand, of course.
Location: Temescal Canyon Road and Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Available along the Pacific Coast Highway
Amenities: Lifeguard, restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, paved bike path, accessible features, picnic tables
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Available
Sandwiched between the Pacific Palisades and Topanga, Will Rogers State Beach is sort of a no man’s land, which is weird considering how close it is to the ultra-hip Santa Monica. There’s plenty of room for everyone to soak up the sun, without stealing each other’s sunlight or treading on someone else’s towel. And if you’re into beach sports, Will Rogers is all about the volleyball courts (tip: the pros play here).
Location: 5970 Palos Verdes Drive, South Rancho Palos Verdes
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Available at the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park parking lot
Amenities: Trails, toilets, tide pools, caves, rock arch
Dogs allowed: No
Bike rack: Not applicable
Get in touch with your adventurous spirit and hike along the coast via the Sacred Cove and Abalone Cove Shoreline trail until you reach a secluded cove marked by tide pools and rock formations—no you’re not dreaming, paradise does exist here on earth. Mother Nature was totally living it up while creating this gem; sunsets, sea life, and (on occasion) the faraway Catalina Island make for a postcard-worthy shot.
Location: 35000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Available along the Pacific Coast Highway west of Mulholland Highway
Amenities: Campground, lifeguard, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, caves
Dogs allowed: On leash north of Lifeguard Station #3
Bike rack: Not applicable
With rocky crags projecting into the ocean, coastal hikes a plenty, and life-teeming tide pools, Leo Carrillo State Park is a force to be reckoned with. It’s also one of the best dog beaches near Los Angeles, so make sure to bring your furry friend along for a fun-filled day spent under the splendid California sun.
The Golden State is known for its unique history and unconventional spirit, but these interesting facts about California will surprise you.
Looking for the best hiking trails in Lakeside? They also offer opportunities to bike, trail run, and explore other outdoor activities too.
Luckily, the fashion industry is changing, and we can reduce our overall impact on the planet by choosing eco-friendly fashion.
Never been before? We’ll be your trustee Little Tokyo guide with a day’s worth of fun things to do in Little Tokyo.