The 15 best beaches in Los Angeles

We start with my favorite beach in Los Angeles: a tiny strip of sand where you can watch the clouds drift by. Many who visit come for the private terraces, lounges, or mansions, but unless you're rolling like P. Diddy, we recommend you bring a towel and post up near the cliffs. It's a perfect spot for those who need a break from the city. 

Heisler Park isn't exactly in Los Angeles--it's closer to Orange Country than Santa Monica. But if you're willing to make the drive, you'll encounter easily one of the most beautiful beaches in California, with hiking trails along the bluffs, palm trees along the sand, and water so clear you can see yourself in the reflection.

Santa Monica Beach is one of the most iconic places in L.A. Its long sandy beaches, open-air restaurants, and amusement park rides are just as famous as The Lakers. Though it can get a little crowded, it's still a must-hit on any vacation. 

Those seeking sand and waves may want to find another spot, but the rugged coastline does offer some Instagram-worthy views. Bring shoes and pack light; the beach is only accessible via a steep pathway.

Moving down the coast, Zuma is situated at the very end of Malibu and is a popular spot for locals and destination beach-goers, many of whom come here for some good-ol'-fashion body-surfing. This place always seems to have waves, even in summer when the waves are usually flat. 

Leo Carillo is the kind of beach an Angelino takes you to straight from the airport. It's a natural beauty--tucked away behind Malibu's bluffs--that is rich with caves and coves, cliffs and trees, tide pools, and reef breaks. If you want to live like the locals, come here first. 

Great for families and children, this South Bay beach has everything you need for a long afternoon in the sand. The beach sits at the end of LAX's runways, so overhead planes will constantly be throwing shadows on your picnics, lunches, and barbecues, and at sunset, will disappear into an amber valley of cloud. 

Dume is a crescent-shaped beach situated between sandy cliffs and crystal waters, making it the perfect place to scuba dive or rock climb. The sea lions are also a plus and are perfectly harmless if they swim around you. 

This lesser-known beach has similar rock formations to the ones you'd find in Malibu, but is far less crowded--so much less crowded it could practically be considered private. The tide-pooling is fantastic here, though my favorite thing to do is walk along the bluffs. Surrounded by foliage, sunshine, and the scent of nature, Abalone is hands down the best thing to do in Palos Verdes. 

Ever listen to a Beach Boys song and think, "wouldn't it be nice?" Well, then we've got the place for you: a legendary point break where surfers catch 40-second rides, locals stretch out across the sand and every afternoon feels like a hazy, sun-kissed daydream. There's a reason Brian Wilson used to come here often: it's the beach equivalent to one of his songs. 

Roll down the windows and crank up some Beach Boys as you leave Malibu for Will Rodgers State Beach, located in between Pacific Palisades and Topanga. It's one of those beaches with room for everyone to relax in the sun. 

People watching is the reason you come to Venice, which is jam-packed with gym rats, stoners, skaters, surfers, hoopers, street performers, and tourists...so many tourists. It's the most diverse spot in town, with people from all walks of life coming to visit. 

For travelers with dogs, Los Angeles is one of the worst places you could visit. In fact, this four-acre waterfront is the only leash-free spot in town. Luckily, it's got everything we humans could ask for: good vibes, good views, good dogs. 

For those of us who are actually sick of the crowds, a place like Santa Barbara is a dream. It's about a two-hour drive if you leave at 10 am, and the beaches are as magnificent as they are empty. You'll find plenty of spots along Montecito, like the impossibly picturesque Butterfly Beach, or Haskells, which has the best sunsets in all of California. It's a bit of a trek, but it's 100% worth it.