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I've Lived in California for 50 Years—and These Are the Best Secret Beach Towns in the Golden State
Visit the free Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier to see more than 100 species of marine life, including sharks, eels, sea urchins, sea horses, and more.
Dine, shop, rent a kayak, pedal boat, bike, or stand-up paddleboard at the Redondo Beach Pier.
Plan a dinner around sunset with an ocean view and delicious food at The Strand House in Manhattan Beach or Sea Level Restaurant & Lounge in Redondo Beach.
Book an oceanfront room steps from the sand at the luxury Beach House Hotel Hermosa Beach or the recently renovated Sea Sprite Beach Club.
It seems that most visitors to Southern California immediately exit Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to head north to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or to drive to Orange County for Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.
But just a few miles south of the airport, flying somewhat under the radar, is Los Angeles's best-kept secret. The South Bay's Beach Cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach. Together, these towns offer all you need for a perfect vacation—any time of the year.
For more than four decades, I've lived in Hermosa Beach, a small city whose pier was the setting for a love scene in the 2016 romantic comedy, La La Land. In the film, Ryan Gosling played the piano in another Hermosa Beach landmark, The Lighthouse, a historic jazz club.
'There are pieces of history tucked in every corner of Hermosa Beach,' Jamie Erickson, director and curator of the Hermosa Beach Museum, told Travel + Leisure . "There is something intangible that I can't describe that appeals to people. "Hermosa's walkability is a huge plus, and it wins you over with that small-town feel that everyone here is determined to hang on to in the midst of an ever-evolving urban landscape.'
I asked several locals what they love about living in the South Bay. Bitte Healy, a 40-year Manhattan Beach resident, responded without hesitation.
'The beach," she said.
And indeed, in this small stretch of L.A. County, there are several iconic beaches. Manhattan Beach plays host to an annual volleyball tournament, Redondo Beach was popularized in Beach Boys songs (Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson all hail from the nearby South Bay city of Hawthorne), and you'll always find a crowded lineup of surfers at one of L.A.'s most legendary surf spots, El Porto.
With miles of scenic beachfront, tons of local small businesses, and a welcoming, unpretentious vibe, South Bay's Beach Cities truly have something for everyone.
Here's what you need to know before planning a trip to Los Angeles' Beach Cities. Guest room inside Westdrift Manhattan Beach.
This oceanfront boutique hotel overlooking the Hermosa Beach Pier has 96 suites, each with balconies or patios, fireplaces, kitchenettes, and a daily complimentary continental breakfast. Steps from the sand and downtown Hermosa's restaurants, bars, and shops, the hotel's location is ideal for a car-free vacation. I booked a suite for some visiting relatives, and they especially loved eating breakfast on the patio while watching everyone go by on the Strand.
westdrift Manhattan Beach is less than five miles from Los Angeles International Airport and two miles from the Manhattan Beach pier. With elegant beach-themed rooms, dining, pickleball, a pool with cabanas, and a nine-hole golf course, the hotel is a great vacation destination that's popular with business travelers. I've played the course several times and once made it a staycation with golf, pool, drinks, and dinner at Jute Coastal Bar and Kitchen.
With views of King Harbor's rows of boats and the Pacific beyond, Shade's waterfront location is perfect for sitting on your balcony with morning coffee, grabbing a cocktail at Sea Level restaurant's happy hour, or sunbathing on the rooftop pool deck. Once you're ready to explore, you can borrow a beach cruiser from the hotel for four hours, and it's easy to get to the Redondo Beach Pier.
As close to the sea as you can get, Portofino's guest rooms have private balconies with ocean or marina views. There's a seafront pool, complimentary access to cruiser bicycles, and close-up views of a colony of California sea lions, fun to watch as they bark and jostle for space on their dock. Take a sunset cruise on the hotel's El Rey catamaran, dine at Baleenkitchen, or enjoy a cocktail at my favorite spot, the Living Room Bar.
Established in 1964, Sea Sprite Beach Club was the first hotel in Hermosa Beach. It's sited off the Strand, just steps from the beach, and was totally remodeled in 2025, giving it a stunning new look as well as a new restaurant, Surfer Girl. 'The entire Sea Sprite renovation has been a thoughtful effort to keep that easygoing beach vibe alive while giving guests a better overall experience,' general manager James Graham told T+L. 'The love we've felt from the community—especially with the launch of Surfer Girl—means the world to us.'
People playing volleyball on Manhattan Beach.
Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure
The white sand, cool breezes, and ocean waves are calling, and whether you plan to sunbathe, surf, boogie board, swim, or just get your feet wet, you can't miss a day at the beach. You have miles of shoreline, but my suggestion is Hermosa Beach, of course. An ideal day would involve grabbing a meatball hero at Mickey's Deli, a local favorite for years, a cold drink, and nothing to do except enjoy the beach.
Explore the artsy side of Hermosa Beach by going on the self-guided Mural Walking Tour. In the murals, you'll see things like what Pier Avenue looked like in 1924, a century of the evolution of swimwear, odes to volleyball, lifeguards, Hermosa's punk era, and West Coast jazz (my favorite), which commemorates the history of the famed Lighthouse Cafe, where jazz music was showcased beginning in 1949.
Dine or snack at one of the Redondo Beach Pier's more than 30 eating establishments, from ice cream shops to restaurants, including one of my favorites, Quality Seafood, where locals line up for freshly steamed crabs, spread paper on the table, and attack with wooden mallets to get at the delicious crabmeat. Rent pedal boats and kayaks, take a glass-bottom boat tour, or go on a romantic gondola cruise around the harbor.
Whether you're out and about for window shopping, dining, taking home a souvenir, or buying a new outfit, you'll find what you want in downtown Manhattan Beach at one of the many unique home decor, jewelry, clothing, and beachwear shops in the area. Enjoy galleries displaying stunning paintings, sculpture, and photography, including some by Beau Bridges, whose massive mural adorns Manhattan Beach City Hall.
For a place to take in gorgeous views, drive about 30 minutes south to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Take Palos Verdes Drive West, and stop at the Point Vicente Lighthouse and Interpretive Center, a small museum that tells of the area's history and geology. Visit Terranea, a lovely resort, for lunch or a walk along the cliffside trails that border their property.
A person walking by the entrance to the Apple store at Manhattan Village.
JayAfter a multiyear update and reconfiguration, Manhattan Village is an upscale lifestyle destination with shopping, dining, leisure experiences, and convenient parking. Shop at Macy's, West Elm, Anthropologie, Apple, Sephora, Pottery Barn, and more. Restaurants include Sushi Roku, BoaSteakhouse, Sweetgreen, and others. If you just need a snack, head to Sprinkles, Sidecar Doughnuts, Reborn Coffee, or Handel's Homemade Ice Cream.
In nearby Torrance, the Del Amo Fashion Center, is billed as the 'South Bay's premier retail destination,' and has more than 250 specialty stores as well as things like Nordstrom, Macy's, Apple, and Barnes & Noble. Restaurants include Outback Steakhouse, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, North Italia, Frida, and Din Tai Fung, a famous Taiwanese soup dumpling chain. The AMC movie theaters have an IMAX screen, and there's plenty of parking.
Three miles south of King Harbor in Redondo Beach, Riviera Village has walkable streets lined with boutiques, art galleries, gift shops, and clothing stores. Day spas, hair and nail salons, and skincare specialists make Riviera Village a beauty and relaxation destination. If you're feeling hungry, dining opportunities range from casual to upscale and include options like Hook & Plow, Little Sister, and Salt & Pearl.
Shop for casual clothes, beachwear, accessories, sunglasses, and souvenirs on the Pier Plaza pedestrian mall, Hermosa Avenue, and Pier Avenue. When you need a break or a bite to eat, head to Tower 12, Hennessey's, or relax with coffee and a pastry at Café Bonaparte.
This iconic club has been around since 1978, and lines still form along Hermosa Avenue most weekend nights. The club has hosted big names like Jerry Seinfeld, George Wallace, and Kevin Nealon, and the thrill for many guests is seeing Jay Leno, who performs here nearly every Sunday evening. 'I love checking out his car to see which one he drives for his trip to Hermosa,' a guest in line said to me one Sunday evening.
Sainte Rocke is the best place in the South Bay for live music, and acts range from dueling pianos to punk to surf rock and more. There's a weekly karaoke contest, line dancing, and DJ nights. It's a fun place with entertainment for every musical taste, a big part of the South Bay's cultural scene since it was established in 2008.
For a sophisticated lounge experience, head to X Speakeasy for cocktails, live music, and small plates in a stylish setting. This speakeasy doesn't require a secret password, so you can head there for weekday Magic Hours from 5 to 6 p.m.
Located on the International Boardwalk overlooking the marina, Project Barley is a casual spot with a wide selection of beers as well as wine and a menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, tacos, salads, and snacks. Live music, trivia nights, and pinball machines keep guests entertained.
Dishes from Barran's 2239.
With the perfect blend of delicious, creative food and friendly, professional service, Baran;s 2239' is an exceptional restaurant set in an unassuming strip mall. I've enjoyed occasional dinners there, but many locals make it a frequent stop, especially for their coveted weekend breakfast burritos. Be sure to order by Wednesday morning; they sell out by the end of the day.
This small seafood spot has a huge following for its fresh scallops, Maryland blue crab cakes, and lobster rolls. Longtime Manhattan Beach resident, Healy, said it's her 'very favorite restaurant' and her order always includes 'soft shell crabs, Koshihikari rice, and oysters.' You'll need a reservation to dine at this award-winning 32-seat restaurant.
The Rex Steakhouse is a sophisticated dining spot serving excellent steak with sauces like Beéanaise, chimichurri, and Bordelaise. The menu also includes pasta, chicken, and seafood, but I can never pass up the beef.
This beloved neighborhood restaurant has served traditional Italian cuisine and fine wines for more than 50 years to locals, celebrities, and visitors. Steps from the beach, they recently added an ocean-view patio. My husband and I have enjoyed many dinners at The Bottle Inn. We always like to try a new wine from their extensive selection.
Southeast Asian dishes, perfectly spiced and delicious, make this restaurant one of my favorites. They describe their cuisine as having French, Dutch, and British colonial influences, and I would call their dishes delicious. I always order the green papaya salad, chicken, and shiitake mushroom dumplings, and on a chilly day, their tasty pho.
Any time you can come to the South Bay cities is the right time. I love the winter months when it's not too chilly to walk along the beach. Springtime brings the 'May Gray' and 'June Gloom' phenomenon, when morning clouds usually, but not always, give way to sunshine in the afternoon. During summer, you'll find free weekend concerts, farmers markets, and street fairs. The South Bay's beach cities are a perfect home base for year-round sports and entertainment, and are only about nine miles from the Kia Forum, Intuit Dome, and SoFi Stadium.
'This is a beach town that knows how to blend small-town charm with big-time culture,' local realtor Jamie Waryck said. The Beach Life Festival takes place each May and attracts top performers. If volleyball is your game, you'll want to be in Manhattan Beach during August for the Association of Volleyball Players Open. Memorial Day weekend's Fiesta Hermosa, October's Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, and Summer Festival in Redondo are also popular events.
The South Bay cities range from five to nine miles from Los Angeles International Airport. I like to take an Uber or another ride hailing service to Hermosa Beach when I arrive, and there are taxis and a rail connection from the airport to the Los Angeles Metro. You can rent a car, but the beach cities are walkable, one of my favorite things about them.
Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach, is a pedestrian-only area with shops, restaurants, bars, ice cream shops, a great place for people watching, or a walk out to the end of the pier. Hermosa Beach Museum curator Jamie Erickson told me an interesting story.
'I once met a soy bean farmer from the Midwest who works all year to visit Hermosa Beach and stay at The Sea Sprite for two weeks annually," Erickson said. "He vacations nowhere else—this was the place that spoke to his soul.'
Downtown Manhattan Beach is perfect for browsing or shopping at unique retailers with quality clothing, home goods, and souvenirs. The view of the pier from the shops on Manhattan Avenue is stunning, and walking the hilly neighborhood is a great workout—and a perfect excuse to stop for ice cream at Manhattan Beach Creamery.
The boutiques in Riviera Village are great places to shop, and restaurants line Catalina Avenue, most with outdoor seating. 'Spend the day exploring Riviera Village, a pedestrian-friendly enclave filled with boutique shops, local art, and neighborhood restaurants, then head to the Redondo Pier for a sunset cocktail at Old Tony's or pop into Quality Seafood for fresh seafood with a side of nostalgia,' Waryck said.
There are limited Metro lines in the South Bay Beach Cities, but there is the Beach Cities Transit system, a bus service that serves Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, and Los Angeles International Airport. Walking or biking are also popular options in the area.
If you're planning on exploring beyond the Beach Cities, consider using ride-hailing services or by renting a car. Uber and Lyft rides are readily available, and I use them even for short journeys to avoid having to search for parking in some of the more crowded areas. For transportation to the airport, I depend on South Bay Yellow Cab, a reliable service with drivers who are always on time.
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One of downtown San Luis Obispo's culinary gems, Nate's on Marsh serves up fresh takes on Italian classics like ragu, bolognese, and lasagne. Recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2022, Nate's on Marsh is fast becoming a local landmark. Specials like veal osso buco tend to grab most of the attention, but no matter what you order, you're sure to leave full and satisfied. Paso Robles' Six Test Kitchen earned its Michelin star thanks to its focus on seasonal produce and inventive flavor profiles. The 12-course tasting menu shifts, but past dishes have included aged pork loin and barley koji ice cream served with whipped miso. Bring an adventurous set of taste buds, and you won't be disappointed. Skip the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on your trip to Big Sur and get lunch at Nepenthe instead. This clifftop restaurant boasts colorful, California-cool decor and menu staples like a fresh beet salad and juicy hamburgers. 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One of the region's few seasonal variations is the summertime 'June gloom'—overcast, cool days marked by a low-hanging marine layer. However, the clouds typically give way to blue skies by midday. Other than that, you could time your visit to one of the Central Coast's many events, like the Cayucos Sea Glass Festival in March, the Carmel Bach Festival in July, Carpinteria's California Avocado Festival in October, or the Cambria Christmas Market in late November and December. A street sign along the coast of Highway 1 in Big Sur. Konstantin Yolshin/Adobe Stock One of the best things about the Central Coast is simply getting there by car, and the ocean-view roads here are some of the most gorgeous in the country. The Central Coast is roughly halfway between L.A. and San Francisco, and your drive times will depend on the places you'd like to visit. Big Sur, a point of interest for many Central Coast visitors, is about 350 miles from L.A. (approximately a six-hour drive) and a little under 150 miles from San Francisco or about a three-hour drive. If you're flying in from another part of the country, there are several airports sprinkled throughout the area, including Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), SLO County Airport (SLO), and Santa Maria Airport (SMX). You could also choose to fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) if you want more flexible or direct flight options. Since there's no public transportation connecting the Central Coast, you'll need to rent a car. Depending on where on the Central Coast you want to go, however, you could also ride the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, which runs between San Diego and San Luis Obispo—it has famously stunning views, too. You'll almost certainly need a car to fully explore the breadth of the Central Coast. With that said, some towns and cities may be accessible by bike or public transport. For example, Monterey offers a free trolley during the summer, San Luis Obispo has plenty of bike lanes, and Santa Barbara's bus system is easy to use.
