Los Angeles beaches: cinema culture and glamour

From Santa Monica’s broad sands to Manhattan Beach’s postcard perfect shoreline, Los Angeles beaches feel like neighbourhoods by the sea, with morning surfers paddling out before sunrise, locals jogging along the Strand and families setting up colourful umbrellas for long, salty days. Watch lifeguard trucks cruise the waterline, listen to buskers on the Venice Boardwalk and follow the ocean breeze to food stands serving everything from fresh tacos to classic churros.

Here the rhythm of the day is set by the tide: catch a surf lesson on gentle breaks, sink into the sand for sunbathing sessions or join locals at the volleyball courts that line Hermosa and Manhattan Beach. When the light softens, rent a bike on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, wander the Santa Monica Pier or simply stay barefoot on the shore as the Pacific sky turns orange and pink.

Santa Monica Beach is where visitors usually get their first taste of LA by the ocean, with the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park lighting up the pier, cyclists gliding along the beachfront path and street artists sketching portraits as pelicans cruise above the waves. If you arrive early you will see locals doing yoga on the sand, grabbing coffee on Ocean Avenue and wandering up to Third Street Promenade once the sun starts to feel strong.

A little further south, Venice Beach brings a wilder, more bohemian flavour, with drum circles at sunset, street performers along the boardwalk and skaters carving lines in the famous Venice Skatepark. Slip away from the crowds to explore the quiet canals with their pastel bridges, then finish the day with a slice of pizza or gelato on Abbot Kinney Boulevard as the sky fades over the palm trees.

Ask any surfer in LA and they will point you toward Malibu Surfrider Beach, where the point break peels in long glassy lines that can carry you from the top of the point almost to the pier. Dawn patrol regulars slip into the water before the crowd, while onlookers sit along the wall by the Pacific Coast Highway, sipping coffee and watching riders glide across the face of each new set.

For a wilder feel and more room to spread out, follow the coast to Zuma Beach, a broad sweep of pale sand with clear water and lifeguard towers spaced along the shore. On good swell days you will see a mix of shortboarders, longboarders and bodyboarders chasing the peaks, so always check the flags and conditions before you dive into the Pacific.

Locals often save El Matador State Beach for those special evenings when the light turns liquid gold over jagged sea stacks and hidden sea caves, creating the kind of backdrop directors use for perfume ads and music videos. Visit at low tide to slip between rock arches, listen to the echo of the Pacific in the caves and capture silhouettes of pelicans gliding past the sun.

Further up the Pacific Coast Highway, Leo Carrillo State Beach rewards curious visitors with tide pools full of anemones and starfish, sculpted coves and smooth rocks perfect for sunset portraits. Photographers love to arrive early for soft morning light or stay late to shoot long exposures as the waves blur and the stars appear above the campground.

Among Los Angeles beaches, Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California feels like a polished seaside village, with beach volleyball courts packed from morning games to golden hour, cyclists cruising the Strand and neighbours filling smart cafés and boutiques a short stroll from the pier. Follow the palm lined walkway out over the water for ocean views, surfers below and the small aquarium at the end that many first time visitors miss.

If you prefer your day a little looser, Hermosa Beach keeps things easygoing with live music bars close to the sand, casual restaurants around Pier Plaza and pickup games of volleyball that stretch late into the evening. For a quieter pocket, head to Playa del Rey where planes rise from LAX in the distance, the bike path runs along a peaceful dune backed shoreline and the pace slows to match the roll of the tide.

If you are travelling with a four legged friend, Rosie's Dog Beach feels like a sandy playground where tails never stop wagging. Locals arrive with towels, toys and treats, letting their dogs race the shoreline, splash in the shallows and make instant companions under the watch of friendly volunteers and clear beach rules.

Dockweiler State Beach has a different kind of energy, with rows of fire pits that start glowing at sunset, groups roasting marshmallows and the occasional guitar drifting over the sound of the waves. It sits close enough to LAX for plane spotting, so you can watch jets lift into the dusk while RVs line up along the coast and the Pacific turns from silver to deep blue.

For Angelenos, Hollywood is less a legend and more a neighbourhood where studio gates sit a short drive from the ocean and hillside streets hide writers, directors and costume designers on their way to work. Sound stages glow late into the night, tour buses roll by the studios and billboards tease the next big release above everyday cafés and corner shops.

A century ago this was a patchwork of orchards that filmmakers chose for sunlight, space and a generous tax climate, then turned into the capital of the silver screen. The Hollywood sign once advertised a housing development, yet it became the city’s unofficial logo as silent films, noir classics and modern blockbusters turned Los Angeles into a global dream factory.

Movie lovers gravitate to Hollywood Boulevard for star spotting under their feet on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and handprints set in cement at the TCL Chinese Theatre. Arrive early to admire the ornate facade, join a guided tour if you can and keep an eye on the calendar in case a red carpet premiere spills straight onto the street.

Venice feels like LA’s creative lounge, with street art brightening every corner, sun kissed locals gliding past on bikes and Abbot Kinney Boulevard packed with design focused shops, third wave coffee and tiny galleries hidden behind minimalist facades. Duck into a courtyard for cold brew, browse racks of West Coast labels then wander back to the beach in time to watch the skatepark and drum circle come alive.

A short drive inland, Beverly Hills delivers pure polish with palm lined streets, glossy storefronts on Rodeo Drive and hotel terraces where people linger over late afternoon drinks. Between one boutique and the next, slip into a quiet side street café for a slice of cake, then loop back past manicured gardens that look as if they were styled for a film shoot.

Over in Silver Lake, the mood turns indie with hillside homes, a shimmering reservoir and a main stretch filled with record shops, bookstores and relaxed eateries. Spend the morning gallery hopping, grab brunch at a neighbourhood spot and stay long enough to see fairy lights flick on above patios as the city slides into evening.

After a day spent chasing waves, film locations and neighbourhood cafés, the right hotel in Los Angeles can feel like your own private set where every detail is framed for comfort and style. Stay with Accor in the city and you will find addresses that put you close to the beach, the boutiques and the bright lights while wrapping you in thoughtful service that makes LA’s glamour feel wonderfully easy to enjoy.

An iconic luxury hotel in Los Angeles, Sofitel blends French sophistication with the vibrant style of Beverly Hills. With a prime location, refined accommodations, a stunning outdoor pool and world-class service, it’s perfect for those seeking an exclusive experience in the city of stars.

Bold and modern, Mondrian Los Angeles offers an immersion in contemporary lifestyle. With panoramic views of Sunset Boulevard, innovative design and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s an ideal choice for those wanting to be in tune with the cosmopolitan energy of Los Angeles.

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, Fairmont Century Plaza is synonymous with timeless luxury and elegance. Spacious rooms, an outdoor pool and renowned restaurants offer the perfect retreat for those seeking excellence in hospitality, just steps away from the city’s top attractions.

In Malibu, this hotel offers the perfect balance of luxury and comfort. With stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, private bungalows and a peaceful atmosphere, it's the ideal spot for a relaxing and exclusive getaway, with easy access to the famous beaches of Santa Monica.

Located in Long Beach, Fairmont Breakers is a seaside retreat offering a unique combination of comfort and sophistication. Elegant spaces and direct access to fine sandy beaches make this hotel the perfect choice for those seeking luxury with a touch of tranquility by the sea.

From sun drenched mornings on the sand to evenings lit by marquees and city lights, Los Angeles combines coastal ease with a cinematic pulse that is hard to leave behind. Stay at Accor hotels in Los Angeles and you can pair beach days, studio tours and neighbourhood explorations with comfortable rooms, attentive teams and spaces designed for unwinding so every return to the hotel feels like a smooth transition to a new chapter of your trip.

To keep that feeling going from one journey to the next, join ALL, Accor’s lifestyle loyalty programme, for free and start turning every stay into rewards. As a member you enjoy exclusive rates, the chance to earn points on nights and dining, thoughtful benefits such as late check out when available and access to experiences you can book through ALL.com that make each visit to Los Angeles, California and beyond even more memorable.