LA's Best Beaches
LA’s Best Beaches
She’s a dazzling drawcard all year round, but LA’s at her beach-babe best come summertime. Each strip of sand has its own vibe – read on for our lowdown of what’s hot along the golden coast.
Venice
Muscles, murals, dancers, diners, skaters, surfers, and any and all in between – Venice Beach is a hotbed of art and culture, sea and scene. The boardwalk bustles from early morning until late night with performers, shoppers and people-watchers. When the crowds and conviviality grow tiresome, nearby Abbot Kinney Boulevard has stellar dining and retail ready and waiting.
Santa Monica
The quintessential grown-ups patch of sand, Santa Monica is the more laidback, upmarket neighbour of colourful Venice. Once you’re ocean-dipped and refreshed, stop by Coast diner for a sea-themed, rosé-tinged lunch, then hop on a bike and cruise up to the iconic Santa Monica Pier for rides, games and all manner of old-fashioned fun.
Malibu Surfrider
As the name suggests, this particular stretch of northern LA coastline favours the boardriders (and the odd billionaire), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a bunch of activities for the less athletically inclined. Malibu Farm is your pier-perched organic eats one-stop, or else bow down to the master of raw, Nobu at his fabled oceanfront celeb stronghold. Sundowners, Brad?
Leo Carillo
Bypass crowded Paradise Cove and Zuma and instead head up to Fido-friendly Leo Carillo beach, where tidal pools, caves, reefs and the occasional cetacean visitor makes exploring all the more inspiring. If you’re feeling pecky, a quick scoot up to the highway delivers you to Neptune’s Net, where quaint picnic tables and gnarly Harley bikers mesh with surprising ease.
Coast / 1 Pico Blvd / Santa Monica / 7am-9pm daily / +1 310 587 1707 / shuttersonthebeach.com
Malibu Farm / 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy / Malibu / 8am-8.30pm Mon-Fri, till 10pm Sat-Sun / malibu-farm.com
Nobu / 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy / Malibu / +1 310 317 9140 / 12-10pm Mon-Thu, till 11pm Fri, 9am-11pm rel="noopener noreferrer" Sat, till 10pm Sun / noburestaurants.com
Neptune’s Net / 42505 Pacific Coast Hwy / Malibu / +1 310 457 3095 / 10.30am-8pm Mon-Thu, till 9pm Fri, 10am-8.30pm Sat-Sun / neptunesnet.com