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Best Beaches Near West LA

At sunset, the skate bowl at Venice Beach, near West Los Angeles, is filled with skateboarders. The beach and pretty sky is in the background.

If you’re coming to the California and looking for 1 bedroom apartments for rent in Los Angeles, then you’ll most certainly be looking for some time to spend at the beautiful beaches at some point in the near future. No surprise there, but what might raise your eyebrows is how easy it is to get to many of the area’s beaches right from the luxurious enclaves of West LA.
There’s no shortage of them either. No matter what your personal preferences when it comes to hitting the water, chances are you can find something to fit the bill among the many options around Los Angeles. Which beaches are we referring to, and where are they in relation to your new West LA home? We’re going to be taking a look at those exact factors today while narrowing down which beaches are most worth your while.

Where are all the great beaches near West LA?

A good question. Part of the point of living in West Los Angeles is being near the coast, with year-round beach fun and beautiful sunsets.
These beaches are no more than 30 minutes from Linea Apartments.

SANTA MONICA BEACH (15 Minutes)

One of the best-known locations in the Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Beach is a must-visit for the summer. While you can expect this locale to be filled to the brim with locals and tourists alike, the traditional boardwalk festivities are well worth the crowd.
Beach-wise, there’s plenty of room to lay out a towel and relax in the sun. The further you head from the pier, the clearer the water becomes (if you’re looking to swim). Finally, you can take any of the Big Blue Buses to avoid the usual L.A. traffic.

VENICE BEACH (16 Minutes)

There are multiple routes to Venice Beach from West LA. Once there, you’ll be right in the midst of another LA hot spot. The Ocean Front Walk is the star of this beach, attracting tourists and entertainers from all over the globe. The unique skate bowl nestled in the sand makes for great people watching as skaters pull tricks.

MANHATTAN BEACH (28 Minutes)

Manhattan Beach is known for for being a laid-back destination with quiet views of its majestic shoreline. More known for the trendy nearby neighborhood, the beach itself has lots of beach volleyball, and a pier featuring a historic aquarium.

HERMOSA BEACH (30 Minutes)

“Stylish” is a word used to describe Hermosa Beach. It’s not that other beaches in the area have no style, rather, that Hermosa Beach has so much that it needs to be mentioned in a description of this seaside marvel. One look at the Hermosa Beach pier and you’ll see what we mean, and as you stroll along the beach, you’ll notice it’s the perfect spot for all manner of sunbathing, surfing, paddle boarding, and, of course, beach volleyball.

Will Rodgers State Beach (16 Minutes)

After a fun day at Santa Monica Pier, you can head over to this low-key beach for the usual seaside fun. Picnics, volleyball, and sunbathers find respite here thanks to the expansive sands. You can pick up a beach cruiser here if you want to explore the coast, too.
The reason Will Rodgers makes the list is the fact that only locals go here. This isn’t a touristy destination by any means. If you want to relax by the beach, then is one of the best places to be.

Dockweiler Beach (15 Minutes)

Dockweiler isn’t for everyone, but there are plenty of reasons to head here during the summer. First, there’s never a problem parking. Second, the sand is pristine and the water sparkling. Third, it’s rarely ever crowded.
On the downside, you have to deal with the sound of planes taking off from LAX. That is, of course, aside from the enormous power plant behind the beach. If you can ignore those two caveats, then this centrally located beach is easily on of the best choices out there.

Topaz Jetty (30 Minutes)

If tourists are your enemy, then head over to Topaz Jetty. Beckoning back to a classic SoCal, this location is a mellow sunbathing paradise. The lack of people here almost makes this a private locale, giving you some much needed rest and relaxation.
If you want to spice things up during the day, then head over to the Redondo Beach Pier. This is where Dennis Wilson and Miko Love wrote their first song about surfing, drawing in a slight crowd for fans of the music genre.

MALIBU SURFRIDER BEACH (30 Minutes)

The name almost gives this one away, no? Indeed, Malibu Surfrider Beach is the place you’ll want to go if you’re interested in catching some waves. The cool ocean water and crowds of other interested surf enthusiasts make this the spot of choice when it’s time to give your board some serious action. If you want to head out this way, you’ll need to hop on the road to Malibu, which will be I-10 West and CA-1 North.

FURTHER BEACHES

For a day trip or getaway from the day-to-day of LA, look a little further beyond the usual. These beaches take about 40 minutes to an hour to get to from Linea, and will delight you with novel sands and secluded shorelines.

CABRILLO BEACH (38 Minutes)

Cabrillo is often overlooked, even by locals. However, there’s more to this beach than meets the eye. First, you can find all sorts of aquatic creatures at the nearby Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Second, you can admire the Mediterranean-style bathhouse design of the aquarium, built by Frank Gehry.
Finally, the beach offers almost total seclusion. You can swim, sunbathe, and relax at one of the most isolated beaches in L.A. What could be better?

Torrance Beach (40 Minutes)

While Manhattan and Redondo are more popular, Torrance is by far the more scenic option. The beach itself is beautiful, but the surrounding Palos Verdes hills deliver a spectacular view in the other direction. Plus, you can pick up some world-class Japanese cuisine just a few miles East.

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park (45 Minutes)

The rocky shoreline at Abalone Cove make it an excellent location for exploring tide pools, while the bluffs rising above the coast offer one of L.A.’s more scenic beachfronts. With an abundance of marine life, this is also a top snorkeling and scuba diving spot.
As for the beach itself, there’s plenty of room to walk or relax. The secluded nature of Abalone also makes for pristine waters, which is something everyone from the area is after.

LEO CARRILLO STATE BEACH (50 Minutes)

Due almost precisely west of West LA is Leo Carrillo State Beach. It’s an easy jaunt if you take the straight shot of CA-1 North. As for the beach itself, it’s a rather scenic affair, complete with 1.5 miles of actual beachfront for “swimming, windsurfing, surf fishing, and beach combing.”

EL MATADOR STATE BEACH (45 Minutes)

In the same vicinity as Leo Carrillo State Beach, you’ll also find El Matador State Beach. You’ll note that there’s not much in the way of additional facilities here, but the views of this beach more than make up for that fact. Rocky shores and sun-drenched scenery, combined with crystal clear water make El Matador State Beach a veritable lovers’ paradise.

Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Park (45 Minutes)

Robert H. Meyer is a state beach, and an enormous one at that. The shoreline is comprised of several smaller waterfronts, with El Matador claiming the title of best beach among them thanks to its dramatic rock formations.
This is an excellent spot for tide pooling and beachcombing, as are El Pescador and La Piedra. While you might not find umbrellas and beach towels here, Robert H. Meyer offers one of the best sandy walks in the area.

Point Dume State Beach (40 Minutes)

Surrounded by hiking trails, Point Dume is the quintessential beach experience for locals. This enormous, popular spot offers plenty of sand and sun brushing up against California’s crystalline blue waves.
Next door, you’ll also find Pirate’s Cove. This hidden gem is where the final scene of Planet of the Apes was shot, yet remains an elusive find for tourists. If you’re looking to get away, or want to geek out, then make sure to stop at Point Dume’s neighbor.

1 BEDROOM APARTMENTS FOR RENT IN LOS ANGELES GIVE YOU ACCESS TO ALL THE BEST

And that’s not just in reference to great beaches. When you’re at amazing places like Linea, you’ll enjoy access to all the things that make life in the city one of the most pleasurable experiences of a lifetime. There’s the neighborhood, packed with things to do and see — shops, restaurants, entertainment — you name it. Then there’s the building itself, stacked with fabulous living spaces and all the modern amenities you can shake a stick at. Find out what LA life should truly be like; take a look at Linea today.