Picturesque Beachfront Communities in the Los Angeles Area

Redondo Beach | Paul Hanaoka

Living in one of Los Angeles’s gorgeous beachfront areas is a dream come true for many. Let’s look at some of the Los Angeles area’s most picturesque and popular beach communities.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is an iconic coastal city known for the Santa Monica Pier, one of the Los Angeles area’s most famous landmarks. This pleasant city is a popular tourist destination thanks to its massive public beach, charming downtown, and excellent local galleries and museums that comprise its renowned arts scene. It is one of the top culinary spots in L.A. and is home to many nightlife hotspots. 

Santa Monica | Andrew Gwizdowski

Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach, along the South Bay, is famous for its chic architecture and beach-town atmosphere. It is one of the top places in the Los Angeles area for surfing, with numerous surf shops dotting the trendy downtown. The downtown area also has upscale restaurants, chic cafes, and boutique stores. Visitors to the main beach can walk along the Manhattan Beach Pier or go out on the water to surf. 

Manhattan Beach | Daniel Freitas

Oxnard

Oxnard is a gorgeous city west of Los Angeles. The town, relatively remote compared to the other beach towns on this list, is famous for its incredible beachfront real estate. Oxnard Beach Park, one of the area’s most popular destinations, is a sandy stretch of shoreline with areas for swimming, surfing, and beach volleyball. 

Oxnard | Zachary Theodore

Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach is a picturesque enclave near Manhattan Beach in the South Bay part of the Los Angeles area. It is a small, quiet, and calm community that is an idyllic beach town. The city’s beach has two miles of sandy shoreline for surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers to enjoy. Downtown Hermosa Beach is a small, palm-tree-lined commercial center with trendy shops and restaurants.

Hermosa Beach | Marwan Abdalah

Malibu

Malibu is a beachy community west of Los Angeles known as one of the area’s most famous soft-sand paradises. Numerous celebrities and business magnates live in massive mansions along Malibu’s coast. Malibu’s calm, private environment attracts many, and its beaches are some of the best in the area. Zuma Beach and Malibu Lagoon State Beach are both extremely popular among surfers.

Malibu | Carlos Bastias

Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach is a charming beachfront community that borders Hermosa Beach. This scenic beach city is home to around 70,000 and offers residents and visitors a tranquil slice of oceanfront paradise. Redondo Beach has a picturesque beach, a large marina filled with boats, and a unique horseshoe-shaped pier on the ocean that is widely considered one of the top places in California to view a sunset. The real estate options in Redondo Beach include many stunning homes by the water.

Redondo Beach | Hester Qiang

Long Beach

Long Beach has long been a pivotal port city and resort town in the Los Angeles area. It is home to famous attractions such as the Museum of the Pacific and the RMS Queen Mary, both of which showcase the city’s maritime connection. Long Beach has miles of scenic beaches along the water, including Long Beach City Beach and Junipero Beach, along with appealing oceanfront real estate.

Long Beach | Arthur Reeder