☰Playa del Rey

Quietly tucked along the Los Angeles coastline halfway between Manhattan and Venice Beach, Playa del Rey is one of the lesser-known beaches in the area. With its close-knit community and lack of parking meters, it feels more like a small beach town than part of LA. The sandy stretch typically draws a smaller, more relaxed crowd. Surfing, volleyball and sunbathing are the main draws. A bike path connects south to Manhattan Beach and north through the Marina to Venice.