(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Named for the actor and conservationist, Leo Carrillo State Beach is where you go to explore. Movies like “CastAway,” “Grease” and “The Karate Kid” shot along this 1.5-mile stretch, which includes awe-inspiring sea caves and tide pools full of sea stars, sea anemones, mussels and crabs.

Make your visit a weekend getaway by booking one of its 135 campsites within walking distance from the water. Plan to reserve about six months ahead for spots during spring break and from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

A surprising feature? Alcohol is allowed on the beach, as long as it’s not in glass.

Best for: Exploring, surfing, lounging, fishing

Bathrooms: Yes

Parking: Parking lot near South Beach ($3 per hour, $12 per day) or for free along PCH (watch for no-parking signs). The North Beach parking lot also is available but is subject to closure due to high tides.

Dog-friendly: Yes, at North Beach, which is located north of Lifeguard Tower 3. Dogs are allowed in day-use areas at the park and on the campground but not on backcountry trails.

ADA-accessible: According to California State Parks, beach access isn’t ADA-compliant at this time because winter rainstorm water in the creek severely damaged the ramp to the beach from the parking lot. However, beach wheelchairs are available. Ask park staff upon entry or call (310) 457-8144.

What’s nearby:

, a restaurant known for its laid-back, local vibes — motorcycles parked out front, fried calamari dotting the tables.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Situated on the western end of Malibu, Nicholas Canyon Beach is a surfer’s paradise. Surfers commonly refer to the secluded beach as “Zeros” or “Point Zero” because it’s one of the few spots where they can find the perfect break. Also, it’s typically less crowded than other Malibu beaches.

Even if you’re not looking to surf, it’s entertaining to sit on the overlook and watch the surfers do their thing. There are also several picnic tables in the parking lot and on the bluff above this long, sandy beach accessed via staircase. Otherwise, there aren’t many amenities.

Best for: Surfing, sunbathing, lounging, strolling, picnicking

Bathrooms: Yes, there are port-a-potties.

Parking: Lot ranges from $3 to $16. You can park along PCH, but watch for no-parking signs. (All ADA parking with a placard is free Monday through Friday except on county-observed holidays or when the parking lot has an armed gate and is unattended.)

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: No, but one can take in the view from the overlook.

What’s nearby: If you’re interested in a brief but peaceful hike, head over to the Nicholas Pond Trail (111 feet elevation; a third of a mile).

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

El Matador State Beach is the place you take someone you want to impress — whether it’s a date, a loved one visiting from out of town or a well-traveled friend. This secluded pocket beach is one of three that make up the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach system, but its idyllic views stand out from the rest.

To get here, you’ll have to maneuver down a steep dirt hill, then walk down two staircases. You’ll be rewarded with massive rock formations, beautiful tide pools and distinctive sea caves, which are fun to explore when the tide is low. Don’t be surprised if you see engagement or maternity photo shoots here.

The waves are less consistent than at neighboring beaches, so surfers don’t come often, but swimmers can enjoy less rocky areas. Lifeguards are on duty during peak season, typically during spring break and in the summertime.

Best for: Snorkeling, swimming, tide pools, sunbathing, photos

Bathrooms: Yes, port-a-potties are located at the top of the bluff near the parking lot.

Parking: Small, busy lot ($3 per hour or $10 per day). You can park along PCH (watch for no-parking signs), but be prepared to walk. (It’s not uncommon for cars to idle until another vehicle leaves a parking spot.)

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: No

What’s nearby? Hiking trails including

. The closest restaurant is

, which serves salads, burgers and pasta. Also worth checking out are El Matador’s sister beaches, La Piedra and El Pescador, or a personal favorite, Lechuza Beach.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

It’s no wonder this beach is one of Malibu’s most popular. It has a wide, sandy shore that extends for nearly two miles with ample parking, several lifeguard shacks, restrooms and showers. It also has volleyball nets and concession stands. Zuma Beach is less than two miles from Westward and Point Dume beaches, which are known for whale watching (depending on the time of year).

Best for: Swimming, surfing, diving, boogie boarding, lounging, strolling

Bathrooms: Yes

Parking: Eight lots, $3 to $20. You can park for free along PCH (watch for no-parking signs) and Westward Beach Road near Westward Beach. (ADA parking with a placard at all County beaches is free Monday through Friday, except on County-observed holidays and unless the parking lot has an armed gate and is unattended.)

Dog-friendly: No, but it’s common for people to walk their dogs in the massive parking lots.

ADA-accessible: Zuma has an access mat (April through October) and beach wheelchairs, which are available for checkout.

What’s nearby:

, an upscale family-friendly restaurant that serves Italian and American dishes, and

, which, yes, has sunset views.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

This is by far one of the most action-packed beaches in Malibu. On a typical weekday, you might see people painting landscapes, families going on hikes, children clambering over massive rock formations and adults rock-climbing off a tall seaside cliff. Several movies have been shot here, including the final scene of the original “

” You may also spot gray whales migrating offshore December through March.

Best for: Swimming, surfing, scuba diving, lounging, cave exploration, rock climbing, strolling

Bathrooms: Yes

Parking: Lot ranges from $3 to $20. You can park for free along PCH (watch for no-parking signs) or on Westward Beach Road. (ADA parking with a placard at all County beaches is free Monday through Friday, except on County-observed holidays and unless the parking lot has an armed gate and is unattended.)

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: Yes, but only from the main parking lot to the sand, not on the trails. Point Dume Beach has one beach wheelchair available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can request it at the closest lifeguard tower. Call (310) 457-2525.

What’s nearby: It’s across the street from the Sunset Restaurant, where you can enjoy a seafood platter and cocktail while watching the sunset. Wide and sandy Westward Beach — a.k.a. “Free Beach” — also is worth checking out.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

For the ultimate family beach day you can’t beat Will Rogers State Beach, located on a 1.75-mile stretch between Santa Monica and Malibu. The relatively gentle surf and short walk from the parking lot to the perfect spot on the sand is a dream for anyone with little kids and a trunk full of beach gear.

If you like the energy of a crowded beach, set up near the entrance across from Temescal Canyon Road, which will put you near the bathrooms and the Beach Side Cafe. Head south through the parking lot for a more mellow experience.

Best for: Families, chilling

Bathrooms: Yes, on both ends of the beach.

Parking: Summer rates (May-September) are $9 on weekdays and $15 weekends and holidays. Winter rates (October-April) are $6 on weekdays and $9 on weekends and holidays. Will Rogers State Beach is one of the few California State Parks that does not accept the Annual Day Use Pass.

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: There are two beach wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pick them up at L.A. County Lifeguard Headquarters at 15100 Pacific Coast Highway. Call (310) 394-3261.

What’s nearby: Coffee from an Airstream, anyone? Rustic Coffee is about a 20-minute walk away. Take the mildly creepy tunnel that runs under Pacific Coast Highway across from West Channel Road and head up the hill.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica State Beach has beautiful, white sand beaches, temperate surf conditions, restaurants with romantic ocean views and bike path access for riding and rollerblading, not to mention a bustling pier with an amusement park, trapeze school, snacks-on-a-stick, street performers and, underneath, Heal the Bay Aquarium.

But swimming within 100 yards in either direction of the pier (or the Pico-Kenter storm drain) is not on the agenda. For the fifth year, that area made Heal the Bay’s dirtiest beaches list last week. Outside of those areas, the water tends to meet quality standards for the rest of the 3.5-mile stretch of shoreline. The city of Santa Monica has spent millions to fight the water pollution in that area to no avail. A new task force is underway.

Santa Monica State Beach is also the “birthplace” of beach volleyball, according to the city, and there are ample courts along the sand. Don’t miss the Original Muscle Beach workout area and Chess Park, across from it.

Best for: Families, tourists, surfing

Parking: 13 beach lots, $7 to $15 for the day; limited free and metered street parking

Bathrooms: Yes

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: ADA parking in lots 3 and 4; ADA beach access at Annenberg Community Beach House, Montana Avenue, Arizona Avenue, immediately north of the pier as well as Bay Street, Ocean Park Boulevard and Ashland Avenue south of the pier; free electric beach wheelchairs available at Perry’s Cafe and Beach Rentals (1200 and 2400 locations) along with two manual ones at the Annenberg Community Beach House.

What’s nearby: Shutters on the Beach, Hotel Casa del Mar, Palisades Park and the public Annenberg Community Beach House, which has a pool ($10 day pass), volleyball courts and playground.

Updated May 27 at 12:45 p.m.: A previous version of this entry stated Santa Monica will host beach volleyball during the Olympics. It will not. That event will take place at Alamitos Beach in Long Beach.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Venice Beach is an iconic destination that’s especially suited for active beachgoers — swimmers, surfers, skaters, volleyball players. But people-watching is the real game here. The Venice Beach Boardwalk offers some of the most colorful characters and street performers in L.A. (Look out for the rollerblading guitar player.) The boardwalk is also chock-full of shops hawking crystals, jewelry, sunglasses and beach apparel, as well as tattoo studios.

The surf conditions here are slightly more advanced than in nearby Santa Monica and appropriate for intermediate surfers. The Venice Beach Skate Park, with athletes sailing through the air, is a tourist draw, as is the Muscle Beach Venice Gym, a private, on-beach gym for body builders. And there are courts galore along the beach: for tennis, basketball, volleyball, handball. There’s also a fishing pier on the southern end of the sand.

There’s a curated bike rental outlet at each parking lot. The one at the Washington Boulevard lot, for example, also has a robust selection of wetsuits.

Don’t leave Venice Beach without stopping for soft serve at the colorful Ocean Front Kitchen. Not into beach sports — or even beaches? Relax at Small World Books on the boardwalk.

Best for: Beachside amenities, people watching

Parking: Three lots, $5 to $18 for the day; limited free and metered street parking

Bathrooms: Yes

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: Beach access mat at the Venice Boulevard parking lot. Two beach wheelchairs available for free — ask the lifeguard.

What’s nearby: The Venice Pride Lifeguard Tower and the Venice Canals.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“Are you here to pit?” the beach dude asked, eagerly, flashing a peace sign.

“Firepitting” is not only a verb at Dockweiler State Beach, it’s a sport. And a competitive one at that. The beach hosts more than 80 free firepits on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early in summertime — we’re talking sunrise — and plan to guard your pit all day, until it’s bonfire time. The pits are ideal for roasting marshmallows by the sea or for a fire-adjacent singalong at sunset. Just project your voice loudly because — so close to LAX — planes roar overhead every few minutes.

Dockweiler also features L.A. County’s only beach-adjacent RV campground (137 spaces at $45 to $85 per night), open Feb. 1 through Dec. 31. Make reservations 90 days in advance for the best chance at scoring a spot.

There are also volleyball courts, jetties for fishing and bike path access. Windsports Hang Gliding offers lessons.

It’s the firepits, however, that give Dockweiler its personality — the scent of smoldering charcoal fills the air. This is urban camping at its finest.

Best for: Firepits, camping (RVs and camper vans)

Parking: Three lots, $3 to $13 for the day; limited free street parking

Bathrooms: Yes

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: There’s a beach access mat for wheelchairs and strollers. Six beach wheelchairs can be reserved up to seven days in advance, for free. Call (310) 726-4128.

What’s nearby: Dockweiler Youth Center, which offers beach activities and movie nights; Oceans Cafe and Grill (try the Lost in the Sauce burger); and — for birdwatchers — a fenced area for the threatened western snowy plover.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Finding a parking spot, especially one close to the beach, can be a challenge (even with a dozen city-run lots), but the payoff is a 450-foot-wide, 2.1-mile-long, sand-covered slice of paradise with an unspoiled view south from the pier all the way to the curve of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Both sides of the pier are dotted with row after row of volleyball nets, a nod to the beach’s role in the popularization of the sport, which includes the 63-year-old (and counting) Manhattan Beach Open, the only pro tournament open to qualifying amateurs.

Take a break from basking on the beach to stroll to the end of the pier and check out the Roundhouse Aquarium, a free, educational space where you can see local sea dwellers (eels, jellyfish and the like) up close.

Best for: Beach volleyball

Parking: Multiple lots within six blocks of the pier; the two closest to the beach (Lot 10 just north of the pier and Lot 11 just south of it) offer five-hour metered parking at $2.50 per hour.

Bathrooms: Yes

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: Two beach wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis by visiting 42nd Street lifeguard tower (4250 the Strand).

What’s nearby: For a brew with an ocean view, try the divey Shellback Tavern. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, grab a cone or candy at Manhattan Beach Creamery. If you’re feeling fancy, try Fishing With Dynamite two blocks off the beach north of the pier.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

Hermosa Beach’s expansive sand seems to dwarf its neighbor Redondo Beach. A lifeguard on duty at Tower 10 even told me that, to him, the sand feels “softer here.” I remain undecided.

Athletes apparently also appreciate this. Hermosa’s deep sand is said to be ideal training ground for beach volleyball because it makes competition elsewhere feel easier.

Featuring 71 public courts and regular tournaments, Hermosa has earned its spot as a premier hub for the sport. It’s also one of several cities considered the birthplace of surfing in California (along with Huntington Beach). The waves here tend to be gentler than nearby spots, attracting beginner and intermediate surfers alike.

The heart of the action is centered around the pier area, where the highest density of visitors are. At the end of the pier sits lifeguard headquarters, backed by a palm-lined promenade filled with restaurants, bars and surf shops. Scotty’s on the Strand stood out as an especially relaxed place to grab a fish taco and enjoy the ocean air, while Tower 12 drew a decent crowd with its beachy bar scene and romantic outdoor patio.

Best for: surfing, beach volleyball

Bathrooms: Yes

Parking: $3 per hour in metered lot or along streets

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: accessibility beach path; wheelchair also available at Lifeguard Headquarters; disabled parking at public lot 1101 Hermosa Ave.

What’s nearby: Hermosa Avenue and Pier Plaza are packed with food and drink options that stay lively well after sunset. Live music fans may want to check out

, a legendary jazz club that helped shape West Coast jazz history in the 1950s and ‘60s.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

You can’t talk about Redondo Beach without also mentioning the floating city that is the pier. Besides the plethora of businesses, there are also free summer concerts and free outdoor yoga on offer.

Redondo Beach feels like the kind of place where you can spend an entire afternoon wandering without ever setting foot in the water.

I went on a Thursday to check out the Market by the Sea farmers market on the south side of Veterans Park. It’s directly above the beach and open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each week. Complete with live music and around 40 stalls, I found everything from vegan dips and kefir, to beef tallow moisturizer and hand-poured candles. Plata’s Tamales (cash only) had an especially long line the day I was there. Grab a tamale or a strawberry coconut matcha and head to the sand to enjoy a sunny day.

If you’re a scuba diver, note the area just south of the pier across from Veterans Park. That’s where, from mid-December through March, you’ll find what California Diving News calls “one red-hot night dive spot that stands out against all of the rest”: a chance to experience a squid run up close. Mating squid swarm around divers, as egg baskets fill the scene.

Best for: shopping, dining, scuba diving at night

Bathrooms: Yes

Parking: $2 per hour in nearby structure

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: Two wheelchairs available at the Lifeguard Headquarters on Avenue C

What’s nearby: Countless dining, shopping and nightlife options fill Redondo Pier. The scenic bike/rollerblade Marvin Braude Trail (known among locals as “The Strand”) connects Redondo directly to Manhattan Beach.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

This 1.5-mile-long, 40-acre soft sand beach might just be the Goldilocks of beaches thanks to its location. A short walk to its southern end and it curves into RAT (short for Right After Torrance) Beach, a secluded, rocky, cliff-framed go-to for surfers and divers. To the north, the endless stretch of sand melds into the vibrant cacophony of Redondo Beach and its possibility-packed pier. This beach also marks the southern end of the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, a paved ribbon that snakes north 22.3 miles to Santa Monica.

Best for: Surfing, scuba diving, bicycling

Parking: Lot is $3 Monday through Friday, $7 weekends and holidays.

Bathrooms: Yes

Dog-friendly: No

ADA-accessible: There is one first-come, first-served beach wheelchair available by visiting the lifeguard headquarters building (389 Paseo de la Playa) and an access mat halfway to the water’s edge.

What’s nearby: The closest eateries are a few blocks away (including Pedone’s Pizza & Deli’s Redondo location, which will deliver to you in the beach parking lot Wednesday through Sunday).

(Catherine Pearlman)

People don’t come to White Point/Royal Palms Beach for a lazy day of sunbathing, they come here to explore. At low tide, the rocky shoreline is a maze of crater-like formations and tide pools where visitors crouch over searching for life. During my visit, two men poking around with fishing rods excitedly showed me a small octopus they had spotted in one of the crevices. It’s no wonder: White Point offers some of the most diverse tide pools in Southern California.

If you park in the upper parking and playground area, the experience starts to feel special before even reaching the water. Brass plaques placed throughout the bluff describe the area’s rich history, while dramatic, panoramic views of the rugged cliffs and stony coastline unfold below. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk downhill to the beach itself. The rocky shore is not ideal for swimming, but scuba divers come to experience the

.

During a recent visit, construction equipment occupied one end of the beach due to work on a sewage line, though the lifeguard on duty assured me that treated wastewater is released about three miles offshore, where deep ocean currents disperse it before it can affect water quality at the coast.

Best for: dramatic views, tide-pooling, scuba diving, fishing

Bathrooms: Yes (additional portable toilets also available at bottom of hill)

Parking: Lot immediately after entrance (10 minutes downhill walk to beach) is free weekdays, $8 on weekends; there’s another lot right by the beach, which is $6 after 9 a.m. on weekdays, $8 on weekends

Dog-friendly: Leashed dogs are permitted on the paved trails beyond the rocks

ADA-accessible: ADA parking, but no wheelchair available due to the rocks

What’s nearby: The nearby White Point Nature Preserve offers 102 acres of coastal habitat and hiking trails. There isn’t much in terms of food or drink in this area, so bring sustenance and make use of the picnic tables on the beach’s upper bluff portion.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Located on a narrow strip of land that juts into the water off the eastern side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Cabrillo Beach is actually two sandy beach areas separated by a parking lot; for swimming, choose Outer Cabrillo Beach, the ocean side, because of the harbor side’s poor water quality. The south-facing, mile-long, ocean-facing side has a moderately wide, sandy beach with cliff views to the right, a fishing pier to the left and a view (when it’s clear enough) of Catalina Island 25 miles away.

Also worth checking out: the historic Mediterranean-style Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse (which offers kid-friendly programming), Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, tide pools, a coastal native plant garden and cliffs studded with shell fossils.

Best for: Families

Parking: Lot operates from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily, $1 per hour, $9 maximum (no cash or American Express cards)

Bathrooms: Yes

Dog-friendly: Not allowed on the beach (but permitted on-leash elsewhere)

ADA-accessible: Two beach wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the aquarium welcome booth. Call (310) 548-7562 for availability. There’s a path part of the way across the sand — but not to the water’s edge — on the harbor-side beach.

What’s nearby: Charlie’s Hot Dogs does brisk business selling hot dogs, cheeseburgers and nachos from a blue tent in the parking lot.