L.A.'s Best Beaches

L.A.'s Best Beaches

Most Los Angeles beaches are pretty spectacular, but some are better suited for certain activities and people than others. Here's a longtime beachgoer's breakdown, quality by quality.

Best All-Around Beach: Santa Monica. A wide swath of sand, plenty of people-watching, good swimming, great views from the bluffs—other than its surfing (nil), this beach hits the key marks.

Best Activities: Redondo and Zuma. Both have volleyball, snorkeling, and fishing. Zuma has a playground, while Redondo's got a pier with places to eat and shop.

Easiest Parking: Venice at Ocean Front Walk, at the west end of Rose Avenue.

Best for People-Watching: Venice City Beach, for its boardwalk, volleyball courts, and nonstop parade of characters. Runner-up: Manhattan Beach, though the people are more cookie-cutter.

Best for Kids: Mother's Beach/Marina del Rey. A protected lagoon, barbecue pits, and a cool playground mean you can easily make a full day of it. If your kids want to go in the water, though, you should check the water conditions first, as pollution's been on the rise. In Orange County, Huntington State Beach stands out for its family-friendly facilities and relatively easy parking.

Best Surfing: Malibu Lagoon/Surfrider. The waves are awesomely steady; an annual surfing competition is held here. Looking south to Orange County, the north side of Huntington City Beach is another surfing hot spot with consistent peaks.

Best for Walking: Malibu Lagoon. The natural lagoon here is a bird sanctuary, and the trails are perfect for romantic sunset walks.

Quietest Beach: Western end of Leo Carrillo. If it's seclusion you're after, it's worth braving the steep concrete steps of Staircase Beach; the descent leads to an idyllic crescent of sand and water that's rarely crowded. Runner-up: Robert H. Meyer, a trio of rocky coves. (Watch out for high tide.)