Ride the Beach Bus
In the summer months on Wednesdays and Saturdays you can hop the Beach Bus to Santa Monica Beach. The bus leaves Santa Clarita between 8:30 - 9:00 am (locations vary) and departs Santa Monica for Santa Clarita at 3:00 pm. Fares are cheap: 75 cents to $1.50 one way.
Is the Beach Safe?
Before heading out for the beach, start your trip at Heal the Bay. Just like the restaurants in Los Angeles, the beaches are rated for your safety--A is the best grade, F the worst. By choosing a healthy beach, you can remain the same and avoid illnesses such as stomach flu, ear infection, upper respiratory infection and skin rash.
Know Before You Go
The Los Angeles beaches fill up quickly on weekends and parking may be a challenge or impossible. On hot summer days, opt for Ventura County or Santa Barbara beaches.
Los Angeles Weather & Climate
Is the weather always perfect at the beach? Hardly. There are times it may be warm and sunny in the valleys, yet chilly and overcast at the beach. Find out today's weather, Los Angeles' seasons, and how June Gloom affects the beaches.
Coastal Monitoring Network
Wishing you could see the beach before you head out? Would you like to know the weather and water conditions, tide schedule and parking details before heading to a Los Angeles County Beach? Web cams and details here.
The Beaches
Where to take Fido
Fido may run free at
Long Beach Dog Beach
in Los Angeles County
and
Huntington Dog Beach
in Orange County. There are
other state beaches
where you can take Fido, but it's unclear if he can run free. Call ahead for details. Fido is welcome to join you at all
Oxnard
beaches, but he must be on leash.
Nude Beaches
If you're hoping to re-create, and spice up, the scene out of "From Here to Eternity," you're out of luck in Los Angeles County. California Codes Section 314-318.6, as of 6/2000 (Indecent Exposure) is listed as a sex crime in California, and carries with it, upon conviction, a lifetime registration in the offender's community as a sex offender. Some counties are tougher than others, but at a minimum, you'll probably walk away with a citation.
By the way, a little known fact about that famous beach scene in "From Here to Eternity": While most of the movie was filmed in Hawaii, that scene needed to be reshot...and was filmed on the beach in Big Sur. Source:
Monterey County Film Commission
California State Beaches
Ventura County Beaches
About an hour from Santa Clarita, you'll find lazy beaches with lots of activities for the kids. Whether you want to collect seashells at low tide or ride the waves, head to San Buenaventura State Beach. The beach is located on Harbor Blvd. between California St. and San Pedro St. Just looking for a quiet day but you don't feel like packing up the beach chairs and paraphernalia along with the kids? No problem. The Yellow Umbrella Company has taken care of all the details. You can rent a station complete with two chairs, umbrella, table, and fresh towels. (Extra chairs are provided to families at no additional cost.) Parking validation is included and you'll be located near the snack trailer, offering everything from pizza to suntan lotion and the rental of Frisbees, boogie boards and horseshoes. Just look for the yellow & black umbrellas on San Buenaventura State Beach. Ventura Pier, Ericson Restaurant and downtown Ventura are all within walking distance.
If a beach with very little undertow is top on your list, head for Harbor Cove Beach, across from Ventura Harbor Village.
The kids bored? Why not head over to
Bay Queen Harbor Cruises
and rent a paddleboat or kayak for them? The boats are new, the environment is safe, and life jackets are provided.
Mandalay Beach is a public beach--with the added benefit of the
Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort
sitting right on the beach. You can park next door in the beach parking for a nominal fee, or at the resort for a daily rate. The resort has a beautiful restaurant, bicycles for rent, and public restrooms. But please respect that the pool is reserved for hotel guests. Hollywood Beach is also located near by.
Seastone Adventures
Are you a couch potato trying to break out of your routine or perhaps an athlete with a couch potato family? Why not sign up the family for a private surf lesson? You'll start out learning to handle the board on the beach before progressing to the water. Lessons are 2.5 hours and include all the gear you'll need.
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Bay Queen Harbor Cruises
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Los Angeles County Beaches
Santa Monica
About 45 minutes from Santa Clarita in Los Angeles, offers trendy and populated beaches. Ride the carousel or roller coaster, play chess on a human-scale board, visit the UCLA Ocean Discovery, take a swim, or dine while enjoying a spectacular ocean view.
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Venice Beach
About 40 minutes from Santa Clarita in Los Angeles, is a quirky beach with its lively atmosphere, street performers and artists along oceanfront walk.
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Point Dume State Beach
(Enter beach name in search box)
About 45 minutes from Santa Clarita in Malibu, offers rocky shores and extensive beaches. Watch the gray whales migrate December through March, surf, swim, scuba dive or fish.
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Zuma Beach
Also in Malibu and about 45 minutes from Santa Clarita, is a favorite beach among beach lovers. Play volleyball, swim, surf or dive. This popular beach has been used in several movies.
Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors
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Long Beach Dog Beach
The only Los Angeles County beach where a zone exists that allows man's best friend to run free. About an hour from Santa Clarita.
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Orange County Beaches
Huntington Dog Beach
About an hour and a half from Santa Clarita, is one of the few beaches where your dog can be taken off his leash and frolic in the ocean.
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Santa Barbara Beaches
Beaches are about an hour and a half drive from Santa Clarita, but a world away from the LA experience. Tagged "America's Riviera," spending a day in Santa Barbara is like spending a week on vacation. Great beaches, waterfront recreation and delicious seafood provide the perfect day of leisure. Stop at the harbor and pick up the fresh catch--to dine on or pack in an ice chest for the trip home.
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California Beaches Photo Tour
These are just a couple of the beaches you may find fun to visit, offering diverse experiences. For a complete list of beaches in the area, check out the California Beaches Photo Tour and Beach Cities Travel Guide.
