Stopped here on our way back from Malibu. The parking lot was for a restaurant and there was a…read morebeautiful, samdy beach area in front of it with not too many people. Parking was around $15 for the day. Sat in our chairs and watched the waves and birds (and people). Very enjoyable.

$15 for parking, and there's loads of it! This beach is definitely not as family friendly as Zuma…read more(my usual). Bathrooms are few and far between, as well as lifeguards. The nice thing about this beach is that you don't have to walk very far to get to the sand. I found the crowd here is way more hipster here. Lots of boogie boarders! The beach is really clean and chill overall. Close to the action in Santa Monica!

Where do the good peeps go to hide away, hide away? I'm a…read moregood, good peep who needs a little company... This is definitely where peeps go to Hide away. 4/5 Beach Only reason I put 4 instead of 5 is there is no walkway along the sand as the neighboring beaches. We really enjoyed the beach. Parked and walked right onto the sand. 3.5/5 Bathroom If you have to go you have to go (Jurassic Park). Bathroom located right next to the parking lot. Older bathroom, could use a power wash or at least an air freshener. Shower right on the outside to wash off the sand. 5/5 Parking No paid parking by the beach, unheard of. If you can find a spot it's a hop skip and a jump from the sand. 5/5 Likelihood to Return Yes we've gone twice in the last month. This may be our new go to quick beach trip. I'm sure it's packed during the weekend but during the week its nice and calm. Psalm 5:2, God Bless and Stay Prayed Up

My eldest daughter and I were at Sunset Beach for the Sunset Beach Arts Festival on Mother's Day…read more05/11/26. What a quaint area! Beach was serene and lovely. Weather was perfect... not too hot or cold. We weren't able to stay for too long as we had another event to attend to that day. We were able to stroll through the area and enjoy the scenic drive. Lots of small shops and restaurants on the main road. It didn't seem too crowded at the time, but then again, it was early morning. I'm sure as the day goes by, there would be more people. Parking was hard to find or perhaps I wasn't looking at the right place. I would love to return here one day to see the sunset from this beach. It is named Sunset Beach so I can imagine how beautiful the sunset would be. Can't wait to find out!

The "renovation" of Mother's Beach Playground was very disappointing. Instead of actually improving…read morethe playground, the swings were simply removed and never replaced. If the swings were considered unsafe, why were they removed instead of repaired or replaced with new ones? At the same time, there are still loose or missing bolts on some play features and open gaps on the elevated structures where a child could potentially fall. If safety is truly the priority, why were those issues left unaddressed? Now the playground offers much less for young children. Kids can't spend the whole time using only the slides. The swings were one of the best parts of this playground, and many local families came here specifically because of them. Please explain why the swings were removed and consider bringing them back. This playground was never truly renovated--it feels like the only major change was taking the swings away.

Been coming here since I was a kid. Marina Beach is so underrated. More and more people need to…read morevisit this beach at least once in their lifetime. I love the vibe and water here. Me and my girl went paddle boarding here. Little bit of surfers come here. Not much of a surfing beach, but its a fun family atmosphere here.

Hermosa Beach reminds me a lot of our Huntington Beach in Orange County. Its a beach with tons of…read moreyoung people that play volleyball, Soccer, and surfing. All ages really come here, but Hermosa is a young beach full of fun and nightlife. Great restaurants, a bars with strict rules too. So do not come out go out a start trouble with strangers, because you will be arrested. Lots of bars out here too, so drink safe and stay safe.

Hubbers and I had a free day and decided to drag a couple of pups with us on a field trip…read more "Where" was the question... ... and Hermosa Beach was the answer! We love coming through here, not for the sand or the water, but for the view, bar and grub hopping. Coming through on an off-season midweek late lunch, we weren't surprised to find no crowds - which we kinda liked. (We've been here many times, mostly during weekend peak times and offff...) We didn't miss that at all. There are tons of cute shops, eateries (many who are very dog friendly), and fantastic ocean views. If you feel like getting steps in, I suggest walking to the end of the pier and back. Parking is hit and miss. A challenge during the weekends, but plenty. Street and structure available. You can pay with cards, coins or through an app. It never gets old coming through. We shall return over and over again.

I came here a few months ago when the weather was better. The drive from Asuza was very nice and…read morequiet in the early morning. There are plenty of pull outs to get off and to take some photos. Don't drive too fast because there's a lot of bikers on the road. To get to the lake, park at the lot and walk past the yellow bollard. It's a nice place to walk and to enjoy the scenery.

Peaceful here could use more water but perfect for fishing or just relaxing will be back soonread more

Absolutely a gorgeous area at sunset if you're near LAX. We parked on the street in the…read moreneighborhood across the way and walked along the beach for about a half hour, taking in the sky and horizon that looked almost too perfect to be real. It was like a painting. There are paved trails for bikers and runners and public restrooms (not very clean but I'll discount that because it was end of day). I've enjoyed the beaches in CA quite a lot but recommend going either at sunrise or sunset for the optimal combination of smaller crowds, less heat, and vivid scenery.

If you want a low key chill beach, then this is always a good beach to venture out to. The beach…read morefeatures nice white sandy beaches, volleyball nets, a nice bike/walking/running paths and bathrooms. Nested right in the city close to shops and restaurants. The only challenge with this beach, is the lack of parking. There is some street parking that align the beach area and more parking throughout town. During the summertime, finding a spot at this beach can be challenging. Tip: Head to Playa Provisions across the street for a cup of coffee to take to the beach, note on the weekend mornings the line can be long.

Omar was my gondolier and he didn't disappoint. He knew the history of our route, and he was very…read moreattentive. He had funny jokes and gave us a great tour. My boyfriend and I were celebrating my birthday and Omar took us under a bridge to sing happy birthday. We even had a turtle pop out of the water to say hi! I highly recommend this tour and ask for Omar

My husband and I lost our home in the Altadena Fire a little over a year and a half ago. Even with…read moreeverything we were going through, we still chose to get married on July 26, 2025. Between rebuilding our lives and our home, we simply didn't have the time or money for a honeymoon. When I saw the gondola ride advertised, I thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We made the drive from Rancho Cucamonga, and traffic was horrible. By the time we arrived, we were stressed and running late. From the moment we walked in, the young lady at the front desk (she had blonde hair, and I'm so sorry I forgot your name! ‍) greeted us with the warmest smile. She immediately told me to relax and assured me everything was going to be okay. Then I realized my phone was on only 5%, and I asked if they happened to have a charger. Without hesitation, she handed me a portable charger so I could capture the memories from our very first gondola ride. Our gondolier, Waylon (I hope I'm spelling your name correctly! ), was absolutely amazing. He was kind, professional, and so knowledgeable about the history of the area. He made the experience even more special. At the end of our ride, the sweet young lady surprised me with a beautiful rose. Such a simple gesture meant so much. After the incredibly difficult year and a half we've had, this team completely turned our stressful day around and gave us a first wedding anniversary we'll never forget. Thank you for your kindness, your hospitality, and for reminding us that even the smallest acts of compassion can make the biggest difference.

I went on a hike here a few weeks ago and it's so beautiful! The beach is a short walk from the…read moreparking lot, but even from the lot, you get an amazing view of the peninsula. Walking down is a pretty steep decline, so be sure to watch your step. When you get down to the beach, you'll notice how clean and clear the water is and I was amazed by the number of tide pools there were! I was able to see so many crawfish, little baby crabs, and even a starfish! I've never seen so many sea creatures up close and personal so it was definitely a cool experience. It's really easy to spend a few hours here just taking everything in. We came at around 12pm on a Saturday and the trail wasn't too crowded. The trail itself is also very clean and not difficult; the most physically demanding part is walking back up to the parking lot from the beach because it's all incline, however, I think it's doable for most people. There is a parking lot that costs $12 for parking the entire day.

Still closed as of last week. Looking forward to when the place opens up again. From the top it…read morelooks great. If you still want a hike the ocean trails reserve is nearby and has a trail to hike to the water

I always enjoy a great beach for the pups! The beach itself is a mix of sand and smooth rocks, so…read morebring sturdy sandals if you're picky about where you step. The water is really clear here, and on a calm day it's perfect for wading or just sitting at the shoreline. Lots of surfers in the mornings, so it has that laid-back local vibe instead of the packed tourist energy you get at Santa Monica or Venice. My favorite thing is the view cliffs on one side, wide open ocean straight ahead, and those classic Malibu sunsets that look like they're filtered even when they're not. It can get windy, and the rocks make it less ideal for classic beach lounging, but if you're looking for a peaceful spot to relax, walk, or watch surfers, this is a solid choice.

Small. Dirty. Not much to see. Off an extremely busy road so it's super hard to get in out of…read more There were 4 off leash dogs running around barking at everyone so it kind of topped the already sucky beach. Was able to get a nice sunset picture though.

Great vibe with lots of fun people watching. Parking wasn't too bad with the meters…read more There were shops on board walk as well.

What could be better than watching your 8-year old grandson play basketball on a perfect, sunny,…read moreSunday morning at Venice Beach? I really enjoyed the vibe here and it was relaxed, fun and enjoyable. There is aooo much to see here and with the LAPD substation a mere ten yards away from the basketball courts, you would hope that everyone would do the right thing which during my visit, it was all about fun and having a good time. There are many food options in the area and many stores to purchase souvenirs. The basketball courts are in GREAT condition and well-maintained. On this day, several former NBA players came out to coach the younger kids and a fun time was had by all. Definitely a place to visit and relax while working on your tan