What are the best beaches to visit in Los Angeles?

Santa Monica and Venice Beach are the classic pair for the pier, boardwalk and people-watching, while Malibu offers quieter sand and dramatic coastline. Guided bike and sightseeing tours from about $50 link several beaches in a single day.

Can you bike along the Los Angeles coast?

Yes — the paved Marvin Braude beach path runs about 35 kilometres along the shore. The Santa Monica-to-Venice section is the most popular; guided e-bike tours from around $50 include the bike, a route and the best photo stops.

How far is Malibu from Santa Monica?

Central Malibu is about 30 to 40 minutes up the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica, depending on traffic. Small-group Malibu tours from about $100 handle the drive and add coastal viewpoints and vineyard tastings along the way.

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Full day · Los Angeles itinerary

Los Angeles Beaches & Coast: The Perfect Coastal Day

Los Angeles has more than 40 kilometres of coastline, from the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier to the surf breaks of Malibu. This full-day itinerary strings together Venice Beach, a ride along the ocean path, the Malibu shore and a sunset finale — with the best-rated coastal tours to book for each stop.

At a glance

1Santa Monica Pier & Venice Beach
2Bike the ocean path
3Malibu coast & vineyards
4Sunset on the sand

Morning: Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach

Begin at the Santa Monica Pier, where the Pacific Park Ferris wheel marks the end of Route 66. Stroll south along the sand to Venice Beach for the Boardwalk, Muscle Beach and the skate park. A guided electric-bike, segway or rickshaw tour (from about $50) links the two in a couple of easy hours and covers far more coast than you could on foot.

Midday: bike the ocean path

The paved Marvin Braude bike path runs 35 kilometres along the shore, and the Santa Monica-to-Venice stretch is its liveliest. A small-group e-bike tour keeps the pace relaxed while a guide handles the route and the best photo stops. Rentals are widely available too, but a guided ride (from around $50) means you skip the map and simply enjoy the breeze off the water.

Afternoon: the drive up to Malibu

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway north to Malibu, where the Santa Monica Mountains drop straight into the sea. Vintage VW-bus and vineyard tours (from about $100) pair the coastline with hillside wine tastings and celebrity-beach viewpoints, while private surf lessons and overlook e-bike rides suit the more active. Book Malibu experiences ahead — the small-group tours run limited daily departures and sell out on weekends.

Evening: sunset on the sand

Time the day so you are back on the coast for golden hour. West-facing Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu all deliver the classic Pacific sunset over the water, and a hop-on hop-off or half-day beaches sightseeing tour (from about $59) can drop you at the best vantage points along the shore. Bring a light layer — the ocean breeze cools quickly the moment the sun is down.