Zuma Beach

One of largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles County, Zuma Beach has clean waters and wide sands that extend for a total of around two miles. The location for the famous final scene in the original 1968 version of Planet of the Apes, it is now better known by the surfing community for its breaks, with Zuma Beach hosting several major competitions each year. Kite surfers tend to gather at the northern end of the beach in the late afternoons.

Its Pacific waters can be quite cold, and the presence of rip currents means you should take the advice of the lifeguards on duty before heading out for a swim.

The beach boasts parking spaces for 2,000 vehicles, making it a good bet even on the warmest days of the year.