Northern and Southern State & County Beaches

A visit to Los Angeles would not be complete without a trip to the beach! The Pacific Coast is within easy reach of city limits and is dotted with a varied choice of beaches, offering every kind of beachside activity, from hiking and fishing to tanning and people watching. From the city center, just hop on the Santa Monica Freeway and join up to the famous Pacific Coast Highway to find loads of beach fun.

Head north to rockier beaches that afford plenty of outdoor adventuring: Leo Carillo State Beach is perfect for hiking, exploring tide pools, camping, and even fishing and surfing.

Also north of the city is gorgeous Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, where you will find breathtaking views, caves to explore, and fairly private coves. Malibu Lagoon State Beach is a surfer's dream and home to the annual International Surfing Contest, which is held in September.

For more leisurely beach culture, you probably can't beat Santa Monica State Beach. Crowds head here to bask on the sunny beaches, swim in the warm waters, and play volleyball. The nearby Santa Monica Pier offers snacks and amusement-park rides, including the famous ferris wheel.

You could also head to Will Rogers State Beach, slightly north of Santa Monica, which offers fun for families with its playgrounds, volleyball nets, and sandy beaches. It's also a popular gay-friendly beach.

Other southerly beaches also offer more people-watching and beachfront development than natural recreation: Venice Beach's famous busy boardwalk and stretch of sandy shore offer plenty of interesting people to watch, from bodybuilders to street performers. Redondo Beach offers a busy pier populated by restaurants and shops. Have fun here snorkeling in a reef created by a sunken ship, or indulge in a small boat cruise.

Click here for a full list of hotels near Malibu, hotels near Santa Monica / Venice Beach, hotels near Santa Monica Pier and hotels near Redondo Beach.