The BEST Uncrowded Beaches in Los Angeles to Visit This Summer
Going to the beach is one of the most popular activities in Los Angeles every summer. Hordes of people come out to lay on the sand, play beach volleyball, or surf. However, by exploring some of the less crowded beaches in Los Angeles, you can still enjoy the beautiful coastline while escaping thousands of people who flock to the more popular spots.
At these uncrowded beaches in Los Angeles, you can really feel like you have almost the ENTIRE beach to yourself. Who wouldn’t want that in the heart of a city that’s home to 3.849 million people?!
Fun fact: Did you know that according to the California Constitution, the public is guaranteed access to California’s coast (Article X, Section 4). That means that anything below the mean high tide line in California is open to the public — despite what some signs might falsely warn you about (a sneaky effort to try to keep you away).
Below, I’ve listed all the secluded beaches and a little bit of personal insight on my experience at each one. Questions? Let me know in the comments!
1. Escondido Beach
BEST FOR SUNBATHING
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I listed this beach first because it’s truly my all-time favorite beach in Los Angeles. Funny enough, I found this beach thanks to a guy I dated once. Shout out to that guy!
You’d easily miss Escondido Beach driving on Pacific Coast Highway – most people do. Which is why it’s called escondido (meaning ‘hidden’ in Spanish) and why it’s not super crowded.
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Parking along Pacific Coast Highway can be a little tricky, but once you do find a spot and safely walk to the entrance, it’s GREAT.
When you first arrive, you’ll likely see a few other people sitting there with umbrellas. Keep walking further along the waterline, alongside condos and homes. It’s about a 10-minute walk through the sand, but so SO worth it. That’s where the beach gets the most secluded.
Literally it’s just the best. Bring sandwiches for lunch and a couple party favors for the afternoon, and you’re good to go for an epic day sunbathing in the sun.
Pro tip — there is no bathroom at this beach, so just keep that in mind…
ADDRESS: 27420 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
2. Lechuza Beach
BEST FOR SUNBATHING
Believe it or not, I actually stumbled across this beach by accident. I was trying to get to El Matador to meet a friend, but I could only find a parking spot in the quaint neighborhood adjacent.
I hopped out of the car with a heavy bag of provisions and walked down to the beach, only to find myself at Lechuza — a super stunning and uncrowded beach in Los Angeles. In the end, because I was meeting my friend, I backtracked and went over to El Matador, but let me tell you, I would have rather stayed rightttt there.
Lechuza is little known because it’s right next to El Matador, one of LA’s most gorgeous beaches and beloved among locals and tourists alike for its rock formations. To be honest, El Matador IS great for tourists because it’s such a crowd-pleaser, but again, it’s a crowd pleaser.
If you’re trying to get away from the crowds but still enjoy the beach in LA, Lechuza Beach is a great secluded beach option for you.
ADDRESS: 31713 Broad Beach Rd., Malibu, CA
3. Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
BEST FOR MARINE LIFE OBSERVATION & PHOTOGRAPHY
To be honest, I haven’t actually been to Abalone Cove yet, but a lot of friends have recommended this beach to me. It’s full of tidepools, so you can observe itty bitty marine life living in the pools here.
Watch out for the rocks and a steep decline for about a mile to get down to the beach area – it’s not super accessible, unfortunately. Because the beach is small, it’s not ideal for sunbathing, BUT the advantage is that very few people stay for long periods of time, making it less crowded overall. You could also hike trails throughout Abalone Cove Park as an add-on or alternative activity.
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Abalone Cove is located in Rancho Palos Verdes, one of the nicest neighborhoods in the LA area. You could easily check out Abalone Cove and then head to my next recommendation, Bluff Cove, in one trip. Or even add on RAT Beach as well. These secluded beaches all happen to be in a similar area because this part of LA is much more local and suburban.
ADDRESS: 5970 Palos Verdes Dr S Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
4. Bluff Cove
BEST FOR HIKING & SURFING
If you were to go to any of the uncrowded beaches in Los Angeles on this list, go to Escondido Beach first and then Bluff Cove second. Bluff Cove is really more of a trail than your typical beach where you would lay out on a beach towel in the sand.
You’ll love the insane views of the arched coastline here from above, and as you walk down and closer to the water, you’ll see massive waves and the brave surfers who dare to face them.
The rocky shoreline at low tide is interesting to explore and take pictures at. It’s a little bit of a hike up and downhill here, which is why I think it’s better for hiking.
Or, if you’re an expert surfer, you could give it a shot here, but do be careful. The waves get big – and the water has many rocks. I typically only see one or two surfers in the water here at one time.
It’s rare to see many people at Bluff Cove Trail on any given day of the week, which makes it a great option if you’re looking to avoid crowds.
ADDRESS: 609 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
5. RAT Beach
BEST FOR SUNBATHING & SURFING
Despite what the name might suggest, RAT Beach isn’t filled with rodents. It gets its name from the abbreviation for “right after Torrance” in reference to its location in between Torrance Beach and Malaga Cove.
Because RAT Beach can’t be accessed from the road, you’ll have to walk to it from Torrance Beach or the Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club. This is also the reason it stays secluded — you won’t find many crowds here.
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If you’re willing to take the extra effort to get here, you can be rewarded with a beach almost virtually all to yourself. I highly recommend coming here if you’re looking for the least touristy, most local beach experience during your visit to Los Angeles.
ADDRESS: 291 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates, CA
6. Marina Peninsula
BEST FOR SUNBATHING & SURFING
This bit of beach is in between Venice Beach and Marina del Rey. You’ll never really have it super secluded like many of the other beaches on this list, but I included it here because if you time it right, you’ll find this beach relatively empty. Although there are times when it gets crowded (Fourth of July, other holidays, and weekends), typically on a weekday it’s pretty empty.
Considering that it’s much closer to the ‘center’ or main hub of Los Angeles rather than the ‘suburbs,’ that’s pretty impressive. You could also walk here from the Venice Pier along Ocean Front Walk, but parking is generally better in this area although still difficult.
Locals call this area the “alphabet streets” because the streets are named in order, (A, B, C…) with the first letter of the word corresponding to the alphabet. You might have to circle through these neighborhood streets a few times to find a parking spot, but eventually one will turn up.
A few surfers also come here when the conditions are right.
ADDRESS: Pacific Avenue and Via Marina, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
How to Get to LA’s Uncrowded Beaches
One last thing before we go: Let’s tackle the question of getting around in LA, shall we? Trust me, it’s a big city and with the current surge in gas prices, you might be feeling a bit uneasy if you’re traveling on a budget. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
To be frank, renting a car might be your best bet if what you’re after is convenience and total control over your itinerary. But if you don’t mind trading a little flexibility for some savings, then public transit is a cost-effective alternative.
Also, remember that the ease of navigating LA is heavily influenced by your accommodation location. A word to the wise – plan your stay strategically! Imagine this: You’ve booked a cozy apartment in downtown LA, but you’re dreaming of days at the beach. Unfortunately, you’ll likely spend more time stuck in traffic than building sandcastles. So, plan smart and save your precious vacation time!
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