The Best Beaches in LA for Families: Top Picks for Calm Waters, Tide Pools and More

With 75 miles of sunny coastline, Los Angeles has plenty of family-friendly options for a day at the beach. We’ve explored nearly every spit of sand in 20+ years living in the City of Angels, and this guide highlights the best beaches in LA for families – spotlighting where to go for protected waters, tide pools, rentals and amenities, and more.

This guide is organized geographically, from south to north.

Cabrillo Beach (San Pedro)

A breakwater stretches along Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, California. — Credit: tdlucas5000, Flickr Creative Commons

Good for: protected waters, on-site aquarium

Not many people make it down to San Pedro, and their loss is your gain. Cabrillo Beach has a scenic half-moon, palm-tree lined shore, accented by the 110-year-old lighthouse. An extensive jetty protects the beach from the open ocean, making the calm waters great for younger children.

Additionally, the on-site Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a fantastic diversion for kids. It features colorful fish tanks, an aquatic nursery open to the public, and more.

RAT Beach (Torrance and Palos Verdes)

Two surfers wade out at RAT Beach near Palos Verdes, California.

Good for: protected waters, scenery

RAT stands for “Right After Torrance,” and this lovely little gem is just that – at the end of Torrance, tucked into the base of the Palos Verdes peninsula. It’s anchored by the captivating Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club at the end of the point, which creates both stunning scenery and protected waters. We think it’s one of the prettiest little beaches in L.A.

If you have paddle boards, you can also explore the kelp forests out towards the point, which teem with sea life. Seals are common, as are the cheerfully-orange Garibaldi, California’s state fish.

Directions: park at Roessler Point (on top of the bluff) and walk about 0.25 mile down the footpath to the beach below.

Hermosa Beach

Good for: rentals, amenities

With the vibrant Hermosa Pier and Strand pedestrian path abutting the sand, there’s plenty to entertain in Hermosa Beach. Volleyball nets dot the sand, while bike rentals are available at Hermosa Cyclery.

You can also rent anything you need for the beach at Jeffers Beach Rentals, including everything from surf, boogie, and skim boards, to wetsuits, beach chairs, umbrellas, sand toys, volleyballs, and more.

Manhattan Beach

Good for: beach town, on-site aquarium

Just north of Hermosa Beach (and connected via the Strand pedestrian and bike path) is Manhattan Beach, a tony beach town that, in our opinion, is one of the best beaches in LA for families.

Here, the beaches are pristine, and the downtown district has everything you need for a full beach day, with restaurants, shops, and more. Simzy’s is a particularly great spot for burgers and other family-friendly grub.

At the end of Manhattan Pier sits the iconic Round House Aquarium, a donation-based aquarium that is much more extensive than it appears from the outside. Home to sharks, octopi, rays, eels, and more, there are also multiple hands-on exhibits for families. Kids will particularly love the touch tanks, where they can hold starfish and other sea creatures.

Of course, no family beach day is complete without ice cream, and Manhattan Beach Creamery has been serving it for over 100 years. The family-owned Becker’s Bakery also serves up tasty desserts – including melt-in-your-mouth cookies à la carte.

Playa del Rey

Good for: less crowds, easier parking

While maybe not one of the best beaches in LA for families, Playa del Rey deserves an honorable mention for its ease factor.

This stretch of coast is a bit off the radar, which creates a decent amount of street parking and a quieter day overall. Playa del Rey Lagoon is also just a block inland from the beach, with plenty of shorefront for a picnic.

Kids will also love the ice cream bar at Playa Provisions, which serves artisan scoops in a host of quirky and unconventional flavors.

Mothers Beach (Marina del Rey)

A lifeguard shack sits on the shore of Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey, California. Mothers Beach is one of the best beaches in LA for families.

Good for: protected waters

Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey is perhaps the children’s beach of L.A. County. The manmade beach hooks in a crescent along one of the marina’s interior inlets, providing gentle waters for the youngest swimmers.

You can rent paddle boards and kayaks at either PRO Sup Shop or Paddle Method, and bring a volleyball for one of the many sand courts.

In later summer and early fall, the waters often warm up enough to draw leopard sharks to Mothers Beach. These small sharks are harmless (eating just small shrimp and fish), but spotting them provides some extra excitement for older kids.

Note of caution: the same warm water that brings leopard sharks in August – September also draws rays. Remember to always do the “stingray shuffle” with your feet to avoid an unpleasant encounter.

Additionally, the lack of currents at Mothers Beach can sometimes create higher bacteria levels than regular beaches. Always check current beach water quality advisories before going.

Santa Monica Pier

Good for: amusement park and arcade

Yes, Santa Monica is touristy, and most locals stay away. However, if you want a classic amusement pier à la Coney Island, you’ll find it here. The Santa Monica Pier is internationally famous, serving as a symbol of Los Angeles in countless movies, TV shows, and other pop culture moments.

The Pier still buzzes today, with classic amusement park rides and arcade games interspersed with vendors and street artists. Families will enjoy riding the roller coaster, getting caricatures drawn, and noshing on traditional carnival fare like cotton candy.

Once you’ve had your fill of the Pier, the beach itself is just steps away.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach (Malibu)

An aerial view of Malibu Lagoon State Beach shows the protected waters of the lagoon opening up to the Pacific Ocean and Malibu Pier, with Pacific Coast Highway transecting the lagoon. — Credit: jjwithers, iStock

Good for: protected waters, tide pools

Malibu Lagoon ranks high on the list of best beaches in LA for families, due to its protected inlet and tide pools.

With shoreline abutting both the sheltered lagoon and open ocean, there’s something for everyone. Older kids might post up along the Pacific side, while families with younger children might appreciate the protection of the lagoon.

However, all ages will enjoy the on-site tide pools, scampering over rocks to discover star fish, sea anemones and more.

The beach is also close to Malibu Pier and Malibu Country Mart, providing numerous amenities within a short drive.

Leo Carillo State Beach (Malibu)

A surfer walks towards waters edge at Leo Carillo State Beach in Malibu, California.

Good for: less crowds, caves and tide pools

In the farthest north reaches of L.A. County, just inside the Ventura County line, is Leo Carillo. Another of Malibu’s multiple state beaches, the landscape here is somewhat barren, but that’s also a sign of how far removed you are from the big city.

Leo Carillo has more tide pools to explore, along with caves for adventurous kids. Camping is also available here for families who want to make an overnight trip of it, and fall asleep to the sound of the crashing waves.