Los Angeles has mastered the art of persuasion along the Pacific. For approximately 69 kilometers, warm light, pale sand, and the flight of birds frame a city that knows how to slow down. Surfers wait for the next set while anglers fish from the pier. Couples stroll leisurely along the coast while street performers put on shows for the audience at the promenade. At dusk Southern California is known for turning the sky and ocean into a mosaic of pinks and violets.
Santa Monica Beach is the perfect beginning to this journey. If tourists are going to Marginalize one beach in Los Angeles, it would have to be this one. It's not for being quiet and undiscovered, it's for the sheer volume of the Coastal Character of the city. It's the western end of Route 66 and has featured in the iconic Forrest Gump movie.
The Santa Monica Pier, built in 1909, is the liveliest attraction on this beach. People can take pictures next to the Route 66 sign, shop downtown for vintage memorabilia, walk to the edge of the pier for ocean views, or ride the Pacific Wheel at the Pacific Park amusement park. There's a lot going on there ironically making it rustic and charming. Santa Monica is not a quiet and relaxing getaway, it's an energetic California experience.
To the south of Venice Beach, there is a bicycle path along the shoreline that offers a straightforward ride to the venue for four kilometers. In Santa Monica, during the evening, there is a particular attractiveness about the place. The music from the pier performers and the families experiencing joy, alongside the overhead seagulls creates a romantically inviting atmosphere with a glowing skyline at the highly crowded beach. There's a more urban extension of the beach visit located a walking distance at Third Street Promenade where there is a range of stores, restaurants, bars, and street performers after dark.
Venice Beach marks the area where Santa Monica starts to lose those polished resort vibes. Here, Los Angeles gets crazy in the best way, with vigorous expression. There is surfing, skating, rap, artwork and act performing all right next to each other, all claiming their territory along the oceanfront which transforms the beach into a permanent carnival instead of just an ordinary beach.
The primary attraction of the boardwalk is spontaneous entertainment and vendor stalls, and dedicated paths for skating and cycling. Venice skatepark is also a major attraction in the area, with young skaters testing their tricks against the most stunning backdrop of the ocean that is often shown in films.
Venice's Canals Historic District offers a quieter escape from the noise of the town. It is located just a short distance from the main attractions. It is a 1905 historic landmark that boasts little bridges, water homes, gardens, and lots of flowers, and is a pleasant reminder that Venice contains more than just noise and performance.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a fun place to shop and look at art. It has murals and design shops, as well as restaurants and cafes. You can also find other shops and boutiques that are locally owned and independent. It is a great place to walk around and spend time. Nearby in Marina del Rey, you can enjoy a different mood. This place has a marina where you can take a yacht and explore the harbor.
For the best views while you drive, Malibu is the place to go. It is known for cliffside views, beaches, and houses that sit right on the ocean. It has also been a popular place for surfing for around 34 years.
Malibu Beach is also really popular for surfers. Here you can watch the best surfers ride the waves or join in and take a surfing class. It is great for beginners.
If you want something a bit quieter, check out Point Dume. It has walking trails, views of the ocean, and beaches where you can sometimes spot resting seals. The Point Dume Cove Trail is a great option, especially in the spring when a lot of flowers are blooming.
If you want untouched sand and coves stay at Zuma Beach, but for remorseless ocean and scenic photography, El Matador Beach with its arches and rock formations offers and promotes a legitimate reason to get wet. Los Angeles International Airport is located south of the city and south of LA's famous beaches lies Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, a part of the South Bay. They do not entertain tourists the way Los Angeles does;
instead they provide a welcome alternative where laid back local life pace is a part of the experience. Manhattan Beach is a wide, sandy sports beach. There is a beach volleyball and surfing culture, with international competitions drawing big crowds. More relaxed visitors wanting a family friendly environment for walking, jogging and picnicking will find the atmosphere calm, while the more active will enjoy the powerful waves available for surfing on the sand. The homes and surrounding beach at sunset glow golden with the affluence of the setting. The summer months of the International Surf Festival are highly competitive. As the sunset draws to a close, the sand embraces the warmth of the sun and the homes surrounding the beach glow golden.
Hermosa Beach has an attractive shoreline and a slightly more relaxed social energy along the beach. Rather than just surfers, the beach has volleyball players, walkers, runners, cyclists, and even dog owners who all enjoy the open space routine. Even though Hermosa Pier may not be as famous as Santa Monica Pier, and most people joke about it being less then, it is more authentic. It has strolling, fishing, and watching the sun set over the Pacific waters. The pier is where Sebastian walked in La La Land while he sang City of Stars.
Los Angeles International Airport is more then just an arrival point. It is also one of the busiest passenger airports and a major entry point for international passengers. It is located near the coast, and has nine terminals. Passengers should double check their terminal before arriving or departing as the terminals are spaced very far. The airlines from Asia are located at Tom Bradley International Terminal and Air China is located at Terminal 2.
Los Angeles beach-first itineraries make sense considering the airport’s location. It only takes 11 minutes to get to the airport from Venice Beach, 10 minutes from Hermosa Beach, and 7.5 minutes from Manhattan Beach. You can even get an iconic LA experience at the airport as the In-N-Out Burger nearby is a popular place to watch planes land and take off. Instead of heading straight to downtown LA, you can start your trip at the beach. The beach isn’t an afterthought in an LA itinerary. It helps you understand the city better.
