It’s a long haul out to this beach, just past the Ventura County border, but the payoff is a dramatic, rocky shoreline where you’ll witness some of Southern California’s most spectacular sunsets. You can also cool off in the waves after a hike in the adjoining state park.

This large state beach includes several smaller stretches of waterfront, including El Pescador, La Piedra, and El Matador beaches. The latter has dramatic rock formations and caves to explore, and all three are great spots for tide pooling and beachcombing.

Some of Malibu’s best beaches are relatively hidden and require some preliminary research to access. The state beach here is not one of those, but it connects to nice hiking trails and sits adjacent to one of Malibu’s most famous secret beaches: Pirate’s Cove, where the iconic final scene of Planet of the Apes was filmed.

Santa Monica Beach is easily one of the best-known landmarks in the entire LA region. Not surprisingly, it’s pretty crowded at all times of the year. To avoid major traffic/parking struggles, take the Expo Line or one of the many Big Blue Buses that stop within a short walk to the water. The beach itself is quite wide, so there’s usually space to lay out a towel. If you plan on swimming, though, don’t do so close to the pier—head a little farther north, where the water’s cleaner.

Look at that sparkling water! Feel that pristine sand! Can you believe how easy it was to park? As long as you pay attention to these things, it’s easy to ignore the hulking power plant behind you—and the noise of planes taking off from LAX. Dockweiler is far from perfect, but it’s accessible, centrally located, and rarely crowded. In Los Angeles, that counts for a lot.

Looking to get far away from tourists? The area south of Topaz Jetty is another mellow sun-bathing spot on a beach that feels classic Southern California. The amenities are limited, and if you want a little more hustle and bustle, the creaky, kitschy Redondo Beach Pier—where Dennis Wilson and Mike Love first decided to write a song about surfing—is just a short walk away. Access the beach via a set of public stairs at Topaz and Esplanade.

The bluffs above Abalone Cove provide spectacular oceanfront vistas, and the beach below has a rocky shoreline perfect for exploring tide pools. With pristine water and plenty of marine life, it’s also one of the better LA beaches for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Like the neighborhood of San Pedro where it’s located, Cabrillo Beach is unpretentious and often overlooked. But the beach is family-friendly, scenic, and rich with amenities. Check out the sea creatures at the nearby Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (designed by Frank Gehry) and admire the rehabilitated Mediterranean-style bathhouse, built in 1932. And if you plan on swimming, do so on the oceanside of the beach.

If you and your dog want to hit the waves, this is pretty much your only option in Los Angeles County (Head to Huntington Dog Beach in Orange County for a bit more off-leash space). As such, it does tend to fill up on weekends, so be prepared for some very competitive games of fetch. And make sure to pick up after your dog. (Waste bags can be found on site.)

This large state park also includes multiple beaches and offers ample opportunity to participate in just about any beachy activity imaginable—from kayaking to body surfing to tide pooling. If you plan your trip far enough in advance, you can even stay overnight at one of the historic cottages along the shoreline, built between the 1920s and 1940s.