Zuma Beach

"When you're in L.A., any day is a beach day! Zuma beach is our favorite place to go; it's encapsulated in the Santa Monica mountains, so it feels secluded and the beach is long and the sand is clean and soft. There are bathroom facilities are also well-kept! This place is a real gem. So be aware, during the summer Zuma beach gets packed! If you go in high season, I would arrive before 10 a.m. to get a prime parking spot next to the sand. As for the wave situation, well, it's pretty hit or miss; quite literally. Sometimes they'll hit so hard you're knocked off your feet, while on other days they lightly roll onto the sand. For those with small kids, be aware of this! I'm not exaggerating: when they're big, they're really big. Once you arrive, check to see what type of wave day you have and then set up shop accordingly (some areas of the beach have calmer waves than others). In summer, there are lifeguard stations though, which is nice. We always bring picnic stuff to the beach, but if you get hungry there's a really nice restaurant right at the south end of the beach called the Sunset Restaurant. Enjoy! :) "