5 Family Friendly Beaches in L.A.
Whether its a quick trip or an extended stay in Los Angeles during the summer, people always make time for a beach day while here. How could you not, with so many to choose from? From the sands of Malibu to the South Bay to Orange County, LA beaches have something for everyone. This variety is especially important when you have a family. Kids love the beach and a day trip can be a fun outing for families of all sizes. While all of LA’s beaches are fun, if you have kids, you might want to check out some of the more family friendly beaches we have available here. Fun for the kids – playgrounds, tide pools, water slides and more AND these beaches offer parents some peace of mind with close bathrooms, places to eat and lots of activities for the kids. Here are 5 of our favorite family friendly beaches.
Mother’s Beach – Long Beach
The name of this beach says it all. Perfect for small children especially. Located at Marine Park, Mother’s Beach is about an hour from LA in Long Beach ,which is a nice place to take a day trip to. Virtually no waves make it ideal for families and a great playground and close proximity to bathrooms make it an ideal location. There is a shallow swimming area which is roped off from the rest of the bay. A bonus is that the parking and a restaurant are in close proximity so you won’t be schlepping a long way to get to your destination with kids in tow. If your kids are early risers, that is a plus because it means you will get the best spot on this beach. It can get crowded on the weekends, but if you get there early you are guaranteed a nice day of fun. If you only want to spend a half day there and check out more of Long Beach, you can go to the aquarium as well which is great family fun.
Seaside Lagoon – Redondo Beach
Good thing summer is here, because it means that the Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach is open again. This large saltwater lagoon is a safe place for your kids to swim. On top of that there is play equipment and a snack bar and volleyball courts. Another nice feature is that it is fenced in and it has a lot of lifeguards on duty. While little ones will enjoy splashing around, the older children can use the water slides. There is also a nice grass area to hang out on if you don’t want to get sand in your shoes. There is an entrance fee for the lagoon, but it is quite reasonable for a full day of fun at the beach.
Annenberg Community Beach House – Santa Monica
What used to be the playground of the rich and famous at the mansion that belonged to silent film star Marion Davies and newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, is now a community playground in Santa Monica. While the original 110 room mansion and most of the guest houses that were on the property are no longer there, you can still enjoy this fantastic piece of real estate. Opened in 2009, the Annenberg Community Beach House is located along 5 acres of beach. It has volleyball courts, a swimming pool (the original one from the 1920’s that has been refurbished) and a children’s water play area called the “splash pad”. What’s more, you can also tour one of the last remaining structures on the original property. It is a ton of fun for the whole family.
Leo Carrillo State Park – Malibu
So many things to love about this beach. Not only are dogs allowed on the North Beach (they are an important part of the family, too!), but it is not super crowded. Your kids will LOVE the tide pools , reefs and the sea caves. Or you can just watch the surfers out on the water while lounging on this 1.5 mile stretch of beach. You might recognize the area from some of your favorite movies including “Gidget”, “Grease”, “The Karate Kid”, “Point Break” and “Inception”. It was also featured in the 1970’s hit TV show “The Rockford Files”. The secluded nature of this location helps you keep track of the kids and they will be entertained by all of the ocean life there. If you love to camp out, this is a great location for that and you will probably see many RV’s in close proximity as well.
Playa Del Rey Beach – Playa Del Rey
Playa Del Rey beach is a favorite location for families given how quiet it can get. Very close to LAX, your kids can enjoy watching the planes overhead. There is also a lagoon there where kids can can see various ducks and waterfowl. On top of that, the great play structure and small beach make it a fun place to play. This hidden gem is also a short walk to the bigger beach and ocean which makes it an ideal location to hang out. Additionally, it’s a great spot to watch sailboats or yachts either heading out to see or coming back in. After you are done playing, you can walk to one of the many shops and restaurants nearby.
There are so many fun things to do in LA for the summer and these beaches that are family friendly are just one of them. Check out all of LA on a tour with us and you, and your family, won’t be disappointed!