Best Beaches in LA to Visit with a Group (2026 Guide)

The best beaches in LA for a group day out are Santa Monica (best all-around), Venice (most to do), Manhattan Beach (best for volleyball), Dockweiler (best for bonfires), Malibu's El Matador (best photos), and Long Beach (easiest to reach by Metro). Each has a different strength, and the right pick depends on what your group actually wants to do — not just where the parking is cheapest.

LA County has 75 miles of coastline and more than 30 public beaches. That's a lot of sand. But not every beach works for a group outing. Some have no parking. Some have no shade. Some are gorgeous but have exactly one bathroom for 500 people. Here's the honest breakdown of which beaches are worth the group effort and which ones you should save for a solo morning walk.

1. Santa Monica State Beach — Best All-Around

Santa Monica Beach stretches across 3.5 miles of coastline and attracts over 8 million visitors annually, making it the most-visited beach in LA County. That popularity exists for a reason: it has everything a group needs without any single thing being inconvenient.

Why it works for groups: Wide, flat sand with plenty of space to spread out even on busy weekends. The Santa Monica Pier is right there for when people want to wander. The bike path connects you to Venice in one direction and Will Rogers in the other. There are restrooms, showers, and lifeguard towers every few hundred yards.

Parking: Lots along Pacific Coast Highway fill up by 11 AM on weekends. The structures on 2nd and 4th Street are your best bet — expect to pay $15–$20 for the day. If you're coming with a big group, designate one car to arrive early and claim a spot close to your preferred section.

Food nearby: Cha Cha Chicken on Ocean Park is the move for a group — Caribbean food at picnic tables. Bay Cities Deli for sandwiches if you want to pack your own cooler (get the Godmother). The Third Street Promenade is a 5-minute walk for more options.

Check out the full Santa Monica Beach guide for more details on the best sections to set up.

2. Venice Beach — Most to Do

Venice is the beach where no one in your group will get bored, because there's something happening every 30 feet. Street performers, the skate park, Muscle Beach, basketball courts, paddleboard rentals, and a boardwalk that's basically a free outdoor circus.

Why it works for groups: Venice gives people options. The friend who wants to sit on a towel and read can do that while the rest of the group watches the skaters or walks Abbot Kinney Boulevard, which Travel + Leisure once called "the coolest block in America." It's also one of the few beaches where you can rent bikes, paddleboards, and surfboards without crossing a highway.

Parking: This is Venice's biggest weakness. Street parking is a bloodsport. The main lots on Pacific Avenue charge $8–$15 and fill early. Pro tip: park east of Lincoln Boulevard where metered spots are easier to find, and walk the 10 minutes in.

Food nearby: Gjelina and its takeaway window (GTA) are legendary. The Waterfront Venice is a solid group bar right on the boardwalk. For tacos, hit Teddy's Red Tacos on the north end.

Explore the full Venice Beach guide for boardwalk highlights and rental info.

3. Manhattan Beach — Best for Volleyball

If your group is even slightly athletic, Manhattan Beach is the answer. The sand here is wider and cleaner than almost anywhere else on the coast, and the volleyball culture is unmatched — Manhattan Beach hosts the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tournament every August, and the nets are up year-round.

Why it works for groups: The Strand (the beachside path) is perfect for walking, biking, or running while others play volleyball. The pier has a small aquarium at the end — the Roundhouse Aquarium, which is free. The town itself is walkable and has excellent food and coffee within two blocks of the sand.

Parking: Street parking on Manhattan Beach Boulevard fills fast, but the residential streets east of Highland Avenue usually have availability. Meters run about $2/hour. Arrive before 10 AM on weekends and you'll be fine.

Food nearby: Manhattan Beach Post (MB Post) is one of the best restaurants on the South Bay coast. For something more casual, El Sombrero for fish tacos or Uncle Bill's Pancake House for a group breakfast before you hit the sand.

More tips in the Manhattan Beach guide.

4. El Matador Beach, Malibu — Best Photos

El Matador is the beach you've seen in every LA Instagram post — dramatic rock formations, sea caves, golden light, and almost no crowds compared to the city beaches. It's a 45-minute drive from central LA but worth it for the visual payoff.

Why it works for groups: This is the beach for the group that wants an experience, not just a beach day. The cliffside stairs down to the sand feel like you're entering a hidden cove. The rock formations create natural "rooms" that give your group a semi-private spot. Sunset here is genuinely one of the most beautiful things in Southern California.

Parking: This is the catch. The lot at the top of the bluffs holds about 30 cars and costs $8. Once it's full, you're parking along PCH — which is legal but means walking along the highway shoulder. Get there before 9 AM on weekends or after 3 PM for golden hour.

Food nearby: Malibu is a 10-minute drive north, where you'll find Nobu (if you're feeling fancy), Malibu Seafood (if you want the best fish and chips on the coast), and the Malibu Country Mart for more casual bites.

See the Malibu guide for other beaches in the area worth exploring.

5. Long Beach — Most Metro-Accessible

Long Beach is the group beach for people who don't want to deal with parking at all. The Metro A Line (formerly Blue Line) runs from downtown LA to downtown Long Beach in about an hour, and the beach is a short walk or bike ride from the station. The city invested over $400 million in its waterfront revitalization, and it shows.

Why it works for groups: Alamitos Beach and Belmont Shore are wide, calm, and less crowded than the Westside beaches. Long Beach also has something most LA beaches don't: a legitimate downtown within walking distance. That means you can do beach in the morning, lunch at a real restaurant, and explore the Aquarium of the Pacific (one of the largest aquariums on the West Coast) all without moving your car.

Parking: If you do drive, metered spots along Ocean Boulevard are $1.50/hour and typically available except on holiday weekends. The city lots near Belmont Shore are $10–$15.

Food nearby: George's Greek Cafe is a Long Beach institution — sit on the patio overlooking the beach. Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles has a Long Beach location. For something more upscale, The Attic on Broadway is excellent for brunch.

Explore the Long Beach guide for more on the waterfront area.

6. Dockweiler State Beach — Best for Bonfires

Dockweiler is the only beach in LA County where bonfires are legal in the designated fire pits. That alone makes it the best option for an evening group hangout. The beach runs 3.7 miles along Playa del Rey, and the fire pits line a long stretch near the south end.

Why it works for groups: A bonfire on the beach is one of those quintessential LA experiences that actually lives up to the hype. Bring firewood (sold at gas stations nearby for $6–$8 a bundle), marshmallows, and a speaker. The pits are first-come, first-served and free. On weekends, send someone to claim a pit by 4 PM — they fill up fast, especially in summer.

Parking: Free lot right off Vista Del Mar. This is one of the few LA beaches where parking isn't a nightmare.

Food nearby: Dockweiler is in a relatively sparse area, so bring your own food. The In-N-Out on Sepulveda is a 5-minute drive. For a pre-beach dinner, Playa Provisions in Playa del Rey is excellent.

Planning a Group Beach Day: What Actually Matters

After organizing more group beach days than we can count, here are the logistics that make or break the experience.

Designate a point person. One person picks the beach, picks the time, and shares a pin drop. Do not let this become a group text negotiation. Democracy kills beach days.

Agree on arrival time, not departure time. Getting four adults to leave their houses at the same time is impossible. Pick a beach arrival time and let people make their own way there. Stagger arrivals are fine — it's a beach, not a dinner reservation.

Bring more water than you think. Sun, salt, and wind dehydrate you faster than you realize. A group cooler with water and electrolytes is the single most appreciated contribution anyone can make.

Pack layers for the evening. LA beaches get cold after 5 PM, even in summer. The marine layer rolls in and the temperature can drop 15–20 degrees. A hoodie turns a "we should probably go" moment into two more hours of hanging out.

Sunscreen is non-negotiable. The LA sun is no joke — the UV index regularly hits 8–10 in summer months. Bring SPF 50 and reapply every two hours. Someone in your group will forget. Be the person who has extra.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best beach in LA for a large group? Santa Monica State Beach is the best beach in LA for large groups. With 3.5 miles of wide, flat sand, ample parking structures, and easy access to food, restrooms, and public transit, it handles groups of any size without feeling cramped. The Pier area gives people options to wander without losing the group.

Can you have bonfires on LA beaches? The only beach in LA County where bonfires are legally allowed in fire pits is Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey. The fire pits are free and first-come, first-served. Bring your own firewood and plan to arrive by 4 PM on weekends to secure a pit.

Which LA beach has the best volleyball courts? Manhattan Beach has the best volleyball setup in LA, with nets up year-round and a deep volleyball culture — it hosts the annual AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tournament. Hermosa Beach, just south, is a close second. Both beaches have free public nets.

Is parking free at any LA beaches? Dockweiler State Beach has a free parking lot, which is rare for LA beaches. Most other beaches charge $8–$20 for lot parking. Street parking with meters is available at Long Beach ($1.50/hour) and Manhattan Beach ($2/hour). Arriving before 10 AM on weekends significantly improves your chances at any beach.

What's the least crowded beach in LA for groups? El Matador Beach in Malibu and the beaches along the South Bay (Hermosa, Manhattan) tend to be significantly less crowded than Santa Monica and Venice, especially on weekdays. Long Beach's Alamitos Beach is another good option — it draws far fewer tourists than the Westside beaches.

Can you drink alcohol on LA beaches? Alcohol is prohibited on all public beaches in Los Angeles County. However, enforcement varies, and many beachgoers use discreet containers. Officially, the fine for drinking on the beach is up to $250. Dockweiler's bonfire area and the Venice boardwalk bars are popular workarounds.

What should I bring to a group beach day in LA? The essentials for a group beach day: SPF 50+ sunscreen, a large beach blanket or canopy for shade, a cooler with water and snacks, a portable speaker, layers for the evening (it cools down fast), and a trash bag. If you're going to Dockweiler, add firewood, matches, and marshmallows to the list.