Best LGBTQ Beaches in Los Angeles

Located in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, White Point Beach - also known as Whites Beach - is a mostly rocky beach with some sandy parts. The popular beach is situated below an oceanfront blufftop area named Whites Point. White Point Beach is also part of a recreational park named White Point - Royal Palms Park. It is important to note that another separate beach named Royal Palms Beach is also a part of this park. There are varied theories as to how White Point Beach got its name - some say that this beach was named after a sailor named "White" who jumped off his ship and swam ashore to White Point Beach. However, others say that White Point Beach got its name due to the light-toned bluff-sides present along the beach which looked white to sailors who sailed in the water near the beach. Another theory says that this beach was named after a renowned local politician named Stephen White. During the late 19th century, Japanese immigrants operated an abalone harvesting and processing business in the area around this beach. A popular hot springs resort was also present in the area around the beach in the early part of the 20th century. White Point Beach and the area above it have many amenities including lifeguards, picnic tables, restrooms, walking trails, showers, and a children’s playground. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.

Located just three miles south of the lively and boisterous crowds, jam-packed nightclubs, and ritzy hotels that characterize Santa Monica, Marina del Rey Harbor is a beach for locals, families, and travelers alike who want the calm and peaceful beach day that Santa Monica simply cannot offer.

Despite being easily accessible from Downtown Santa Monica, Culver City, Downtown Los Angeles, and Central LA, Marina del Rey Harbor feels worlds away. As a lush and expansive urban beach with well-manicured lawns, palm trees, clean beachfront, and ample parking, it is a family-friendly escape from the chaos of LA. The beach’s play area, with slides, swings, and monkey bars promise to keep the kids at bay. But Marina del Rey isn’t just for kids. For beachgoers looking to lounge, its barbecues, picnic tables, and showers make it a comfortable and enjoyable place to decompress. And with the beach’s kayaking, swimming, windsurfing, volleyball, yachting, and biking, there is fun to be had for thrillseekers of all ages.

Travelers also flock to Marina del Rey Harbor for its stunning views. With its massive homes and baby blue waters, the harbor is a sight to behold. It’s also a destination for boat lovers, as it’s the perfect place to watch boats, yachts, and sailboats come to shore.

After the beach day is over and the sun sets, there is plenty to eat and do around the Marina. Craving seafood? Killer Shrimp, which is known by locals as one of the top seafood restaurants in the city, is within walking distance. Strong drinks with a view? The Cheesecake Factory serves great cocktails, steaks, and pastas, with sweeping views of the marina. And, after the night is over, the Ritz Carlton and the Hotel MDR are great hotels within walking distance that offer lush rooms, exquisite service, and incredible views.

El Segundo Beach is a wide, sandy Los Angeles County beach located in the coastal city of El Segundo. This Southern California beach spans around one mile in length along the picturesque Pacific Ocean coastline. With its convenient location near Los Angeles International Airport and the major city of Los Angeles, El Segundo Beach is a popular beach destination for both locals and visitors.

Located in the city of Malibu, Castle Rock Beach is an iconic beach situated along Pacific Coast Highway and is a popular picnicking destination. A 30-foot-tall rock named Castle Rock stood as a landmark between the beach and the mountains on the other side of the highway before the rock’s demolition in 1945.  Castle Rock Beach is half-a-kilometer in length and provides restroom facilities. Swimming is the only activity available at the beach. Castle Rock Beach is conveniently located off 17750 Pacific Coast Highway that provides an easy access to the beach. There is free parking along Pacific Coast Highway.

Please note that as a result of the Palisades Fire in January 2025, many of the businesses and homes near Castle Rock Beach have been destroyed, and we recommend not visiting this beach due to unsafe water conditions and poor air quality.

Located in the neighborhood of Playa Del Rey in Los Angeles, Dockweiler Stat Beach – also known as Dockweiler Beach – is a three-mile-long and wide west-facing beach with light brown sand.  The southern part of this beach is known as Dockweiler State Beach – South Beach.  Dockweiler State Beach was earlier known as Moonstone Beach and Venice-Hyperion Beach State Park.

This beach was listed as one of the cleanest beaches in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Times and it was also listed as one of the best beaches in Los Angeles by Time Out and Conde Nast Traveller magazines – it is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.   

The beach is open between 6 am and 10 pm.

Located in the neighborhood of Playa Del Rey in Los Angeles, Dockweiler Stat Beach – also known as Dockweiler Beach – is a three-mile-long and wide west-facing beach with light brown sand.  The southern part of this beach is known as Dockweiler State Beach – South Beach.  Dockweiler State Beach was earlier known as Moonstone Beach and Venice-Hyperion Beach State Park.

This beach was listed as one of the cleanest beaches in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Times and it was also listed as one of the best beaches in Los Angeles by Time Out and Conde Nast Traveller magazines – it is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.   

The beach is open between 6 am and 10 pm.

Located in the Westside region of Los Angeles County, Will Rogers State Beach - sometimes also known as Will Rogers Beach - is a large and three miles long beach with light brown sand, a few rocky breakwaters, and a few rocks. The approximate area of this beach is around 103 acres. This beach is located in the neighborhood of Pacific Palisades - it is important to note that despite this beach’s name, Will Rogers State Beach is actually managed by the County of Los Angeles. The southern portion of this beach is wide and sandy and the central portion of this beach has a series of short rocky breakwaters. The northern portion of this beach is significantly narrow and this portion is also rockier than other parts of Will Rogers State Beach. The northernmost portion of this beach is named Sunset Point Beach and it is also known as Sunset Beach. In addition, there is also another portion of Will Rogers State Beach that is known as Ginger Rogers Beach - this beach is located near the southernmost portion of Will Rogers State Beach. Ginger Rogers Beach is located just south of the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Entrada Drive - this beach is popular with the local LGBTQ+ community. Will Rogers State Beach is named after famous Hollywood actor and cowboy Will Rogers - Will Rogers initially owned a portion of this beach area and he also owned an estate nearby. After Rogers’ death in a plane crash in 1935, his wife Betty inherited his estate and properties. Betty in turn donated Rogers’ coastal land to the State of California. Will Rogers State Beach was dedicated to the public by the State of California in 1942. In 1975, the County of Los Angeles took over the management of this beach from the State of California. There is a rock on Will Rogers State Beach that has a bronze plaque commemorating Will Rogers. Will Rogers State Beach should not be confused with another separate state park named Will Rogers State Historic Park- this state park is located near Will Rogers State Beach. As an interesting fact, many movies and television shows have been shot on Will Rogers State Beach including the popular television show Baywatch, the 1954 movie Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the 1950Humphrey Bogartmovie In a Lonely Place. A creek named Rustic Creek flows in the southern portion of Will Rogers State Beach - once this creek passes the beach, it flows into the Pacific Ocean. Will Rogers State Beach has lifeguards - the lifeguards here are deployed from sunrise to sunset. In addition to lifeguards, Will Rogers State Beach also has many other amenities including picnic tables, a children’s playground, concession stands, restrooms, a walking path, showers, volleyball courts, and a biking path. Dogs are not allowed in Will Rogers State Beach. Beach wheelchairs for visitors with disabilities are available at Will Rogers State Beach on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you want a beach wheelchair, you can contact the lifeguards posted at Will Rogers State Beach for more information regarding the wheelchair booking process.

Please note that as a result of the Palisades Fire in January 2025, many of the businesses and homes near Will Rogers State Beach have been destroyed, and we recommend not visiting this beach due to unsafe water conditions and poor air quality.