Kid-Friendly Beaches Perfect For Your Family Beach Day!
Los Angeles has many beaches, but finding the perfect family-friendly spot can be a challenge. In this post, we have curated a list of 23 beaches in and near Los Angeles that are perfect for families. From stunning rock formations to peaceful lagoons, these beaches offer something for everyone.
Family-Friendly Beaches in and near Los Angeles:
Santa Monica Beach is a popular spot for families, home to the Santa Monica Pier and Annenberg Community Beach House, which offers plenty of entertainment options for kids and adults alike. The wide sandy beach provides plenty of space for kids to play, and the water is calm enough for swimming and paddling.
Activities: Pier activities, swimming, paddling, beach games
Zuma Beach is a popular spot for families. The wide sandy beach provides plenty of space for kids to play, and the excellent surfing conditions make it a great spot for families who love to surf. The water is clean, making it perfect for swimming.
Activities: Surfing, swimming, sandcastle building
Malibu Lagoon State Beach in Malibu is known as Surfrider Beach. It lies within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. This hidden beach offers ideal surf conditions, gardens, picnic seating, a fishing pier & guided tours. Malibu Lagoon State Beach in Malibu is also a popular spot for birdwatching. The beach is great for families to play in the sand and water, and the lagoon provides a unique opportunity for kids to learn about wildlife.
Activities: surfing, birdwatching, sandcastle building, swimming
El Matador State Beach, located in Malibu, boasts stunning rock formations and clear water. The beach is tucked away, making it less crowded and more family-friendly. Children will love exploring the rock formations; the calm water is perfect for swimming. The beach has limited facilities, so pack a picnic and bring food and drinks.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, Sunbathing, Birdwatching, Snorkeling, Swimming, Cave Exploration, Photography
Leo Carrillo State Beach has coastal caves and reefs, plus swimming, surfing, camping, hiking, and surf fishing. It also has tide pools, and you can find many amazing sea creatures, perfect for little ones! The parking is easily accessible, and a walking tunnel under PCH.
Activities: Swimming, paddling, picnic, surfing, camping, surf fishing, tide pool
Will Rogers is a less crowded beach. It's one of those big wide beaches with plenty of room for everyone to relax in the sun. It’s nice and sandy, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, surf fishing, sailing, and windsurfing. The beach is also lined with plenty of volleyball courts and picnic tables. Beach wheelchairs are also available here.
Activities: Sunbathing, swimming, beach games, surfing, surf fishing
More Family-Friendly Beaches in and near Los Angeles:
White Point Beach in San Pedro is a great spot for families who want to explore tide pools and learn about marine life. The beach has several hiking trails that allow one to explore the area and take in the views. The water is calm enough for swimming, and there's plenty of space for kids to play in the sand.
Activities: Tide pooling, hiking, swimming, sandcastle building
Smell the fresh sea air and gaze at the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean! Paradise Cove in Malibu is a public beach in front of a privately-owned facility, Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. The property and the restaurant have surfboards all around, and the outside seating area has wooden lounge chairs, palm trees, and thatched umbrellas that almost feel Hawaiian.
If you park and are here for under four hours and eat at the Paradise Cove Cafe, the parking fee is cheap or free depending on the day of the week, but all-day parking at any time of the year is quite steep. But this is a lovely place, and it’s worth the price of admission to use this wide sandy beach with lifeguards, clean facilities, and a private pier.
Activities: Swimming, paddling, dining
Carbon Beach in Malibu is also known as Billionaire's Beach and feels like a private beach. This long stretch of beach is very secluded, with fancy homes nearby. Carbon Beach is a sandy beach with no rocks and is excellent for swimming and a perfect day for sunbathing. Look for parking spaces along the highway and avoid blocking any garages or driveways.
Activities: Swimming, paddling, sightseeing
Wood Cove Beach in Laguna is one of the best beaches for scuba diving. It also has some of the clearest visibility along the coast. There are also small tide pools to the far right of the beach to explore and find little sea creatures when the tides are low. Large rocks poke out of offshore water and can be quite spectacular when large waves are present.
Wood Cove Beach is also a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Laguna Beach. The peaceful atmosphere and stunning scenery make it a worthwhile visit.
Activities: Swimming, scuba diving, tide pools, picnic
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More Family-Friendly Beaches in and near Los Angeles!
Everyone should visit Venice Beach at least once, which will make an especially good impression on your tweens and teens. This funky, bohemian spot invites you to relax, show your artistic side, and appreciate Los Angeles surfer culture. Don’t forget to tour the canals. The famous Venice Boardwalk entertains with street art, live performers, and eclectic shops. Foodies won’t miss the Abbot Kinney neighborhood, famous for its hip restaurants, bars, and coffee houses.
Activities: People watching, street performer watching, sandcastle building
Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro is a hidden gem for families. The beach is less crowded than others in the area and has a playground, picnic areas, and a nearby aquarium. The calm water is perfect for swimming and paddling.
Activities: Swimming, paddling, playground, picnic, aquarium visit
Seaside Lagoon is a man-made saltwater lagoon located in Redondo Beach, California. The lagoon is a great spot for families, as it offers a variety of activities for both kids and adults. One of the main attractions of Seaside Lagoon is its sandy beach. The beach provides plenty of space for kids to play in the sand, build sandcastles, and swim in the shallow water. Lifeguards are on duty during operating hours, making it a safe spot for families to swim and play.
Activities: Swimming, sunbathing, beach activities, sandcastles
Marina Mother’s Beach is a family-and kid-friendly man-made beach in Marina Del Rey. This beach provides a safe environment for kids because there is no surf in the swimming area. The area is comprised of almost a half-mile of sandy beach with volleyball courts, picnic areas, barbecues, showers, and restrooms.
This is a great location for family outings, with playground equipment for young children. Windsurfing and kayaking are popular activities at this beach. There are also plenty of restaurants within walking distance of Mother’s Beach.
Activities: Beach activities, picnic, playground, dining
Playa del Rey is a small, quiet community with a broad, low-key beach and a smattering of cafes, taverns, and boutiques nearby. The stretch of sand is technically part of Dockweiler State Beach and is perfect for those days when you want nothing but the sound of crashing waves and sunshine. There’s also a large grass park with a play structure and a lagoon for the kids!
Activities: sunbathing, picnic, beach games
Dockweiler Beach near El Segundo is directly under the flight path for LAX, so it is fun for kids to watch the plane go by (even though the noise can be loud for some). This beach has fire pits, which make this beach particularly popular near sunset. Other amenities include restrooms, showers, picnic facilities, and volleyball nets. Jetties at the north end of the beach provide ideal fishing opportunities. Shore fishing is also popular.
Activities: Fishing, Plane Watching, Beach Activities
Topanga State Beach in Topanga is a hidden gem that's less crowded than other beaches in the area. The beach is great for families who want a quieter beach experience. The calm water is perfect for swimming and paddling, and nearby hiking trails allow one to explore the area.
Activities: Swimming, paddling, hiking, scuba diving, fishing, and sunbathing
Point Dume State Beach in Malibu is known for its stunning views and tide pools. While the beach requires a bit of a hike, the scenery is worth it. The tide pools provide an excellent opportunity for kids to learn about marine life, and nearby hiking trails offer a chance to explore the area.
Activities: Tide pooling, hiking, scenery admiring
Huntington Beach has an all Inclusive Playground at the Beach for kids. The pirate-themed playground is designed to provide accessibility and promote interactive play among children of all abilities.
Activities: Playground, dining, pier, surfing
Family-Friendly Beaches in and near Los Angeles:
Manhattan Beach is a popular spot for families in the city of Manhattan Beach. The beach's wide sandy shore provides plenty of space for kids to build sandcastles and play, and there are beach volleyball courts and a bike path for the more active families. The beach is often less crowded than others in the area, making it a great option for a peaceful day at the beach.
Activities: Sandcastle building, beach volleyball, biking, swimming, surfing
South of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach is another family-friendly option. The beach has several volleyball courts, great for family games, and surfing and paddleboarding are popular activities. The pier is a great spot for a meal or shopping.
Activities: Volleyball, surfing, paddle boarding, shopping, dining
This kid-friendly beach destination is next to Balboa Fun Zone, California’s oldest amusement park, where you and your little ones can ride the waterfront Ferris wheel, enjoy playing arcade games, and tour the nautical museum or rent bikes. The beach itself is perfect for surfing, parasailing, and fishing. Its amenities include lifeguard stations, fire pits, a fishing pier, restrooms, and picnic tables.
Activities: Amusement park, biking, pier, dining, fishing, picnic
If you are looking for adventure, this is the perfect beach! This beach has many tide pools filled with starfish, sea anemones, and abalone shells. The views out to sea are also spectacular, and on a clear day, you can even see Catalina Island.
Activities: tide pools, hiking, adventure
If you know other family-friendly beaches not listed here, let us know under the comment!
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