Splash or Pass: A Guide to Southern California’s Beaches

By Sammie Yen

L.A. is known for good weather and palm trees. Part of the city’s picturesque stereotype is the quintessential beach: rolling, deep blue waves, miles of fine-grained sand and a blazing-hot sun. 

While I am forever grateful for my close proximity to several beaches, I’ve learned the beaches I prefer and the ones I don’t. This past summer, I took it upon myself to frequent as many beaches as I could to curate my ideal beach day. 

This is my list of beaches in Southern California I’ve most recently visited. Some are a pass, but some are definitely worth a splash!

Manhattan Beach: Splash

This beach is worth a visit. When I visited Manhattan Beach this past mid-July, it was perfect weather for any beach activity. While it was chillier in the morning, the day heated up quickly, so the cool water was such a welcoming refresher. 

Manhattan Beach is versatile and fits whatever beach experience you might want. The waves make it a great place for surfers to ride a wave, the clear water feels clean for those who want to simply wade, and the Strand, a bike path, is a great place to take a walk or bike ride adjacent to the beach.

The sandy shore is expansive. There’s plenty of room to stretch out on a towel, bring a beach volleyball or take a leisurely stroll while the water laps against the sand. It didn’t feel too cramped, and a lack of space is one of my biggest pet peeves. This beach is more than just a pretty place; it’s a balance of relaxation and activity.

Santa Monica Pier: Pass

I’ve been to the Santa Monica area a lot recently. One upside to this beach is that it’s the most accessible for USC students. Last spring, my best friend and I took the Metro Expo line directly to the last stop, which empties out a couple blocks away from the pier. So if you’re really, really craving a beach day, Santa Monica will do the job.

However, it is a popular destination for tourists, which means that it will always be crowded. Especially near the pier and boardwalk, you probably will be elbow-to-elbow with families taking a million photos, vendors selling everything from clear bags to fridge magnets, and street performers trying to get your attention for their next TikTok.

The beach itself isn’t the cleanest, either. Nonprofit environmental agency Heal the Bay assigned Santa Monica Pier an F on its annual report card, which measures bacterial pollution in the ocean. So, the water quality here might not be the best, and it might be a good idea to look elsewhere for a healthier experience.

If you’re looking for a more active beach day, Santa Monica does have some outdoor active equipment available to the public. 

Seal Beach: Splash

This beach is somewhat of a childhood rerun for me. I remember spending birthdays here, and I think it’s a hidden gem of a place compared to the popular Southern California beaches. 

I recently visited near the tail end of summer and was reminded of all the positive memories associated here; I remember it’s the perfect place to boogie board for a newbie — the waves are not too big or too little. The particular day I visited, I was more in the mood for a beach read, and it was the perfect place to hang out underneath an umbrella, sip some cold lemonade and open Pride and Prejudice.

The beach town isn’t as large as other beaches on this list, but it's a very lovely, shady, and quiet walk up and down past Seal Beach shops, vintage boutiques, and some local classic eateries.

Rosie’s Dog Beach: Splash(ish)

If you have a furry friend, it might be worth it to take a trip down to Rosie’s, my favorite dog beach in Southern California.

Even if your pet doesn’t enjoy the water, you’ll give them one of the best and most social days of their life — they can meet other dogs and lounge under the sun. This beach guarantees a diverse canine crowd to behold: you’ll see dogs of all shapes and sizes splashing in the water. 

I’ve seen corgis, German Shepherds, tiny Poodles, Dachshunds, Golden Doodles and more settle right into the sand, play catch, or sniff around for a potential lunch that belongs to an easy target of a human. Pet owners are mostly respectful of keeping their spaces clean and not leaving any pets’ waste behind. 

I do want to acknowledge this one may be more of a splash for your pets than you, but (if you’re a pet person) you’ll both have a great time! Get ready for sandy paws and beach barks!

Long Beach: Pass

Like Santa Monica, Long Beach is a popular topic in the “best Southern California beach” conversation. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite make the cut on my list. 

Like Santa Monica, Long Beach has more of a commercial feel. Personally, it feels less scenic with its proximity to a major port (the second-busiest in the U.S.!) that houses millions of container units and numerous vessels. The industrial backdrop can overshadow the beauty of the California coastline.

On the upside, it does have surrounding attractions worth mentioning, such as the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. However, if you’re inclined to explore these experiences, you might be spending more time off the sand than on it. 

While Long Beach has its unique parts, it doesn’t quite deliver on the overall beach experience that I was looking for.

Hermosa Beach: Splash

Last fall, I was able to watch the sun sink below the horizon at Hermosa Beach, and it was one of the most memorable beach days (or evenings) of my life.

The beach’s pier is mostly empty, save for a few fishermen and wanderers. It extends far out into the ocean and is dotted with benches to sit, relax, and listen to the crashing waves. The views from here are stunning, and it’s a totally different experience than any of the other beaches on this list.

Of course, a great beach day isn’t just about the beach itself. It’s mostly about the people you’re with and what you love to do there, so take my reviews with a grain of (sea) salt.

The weather should stay warm well into October, so you have several opportunities to seize a weekend off to visit one of the best beaches in Southern California!

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