Which Beach Area to Spend the Night?

Question

We are two seniors (66) and our 26 year old son. We will be arriving at LAX at 4:00 on a Saturday in April. We'll have Saturday evening, all day Sunday, and part of Monday before we head for a Dodger game on Monday night.

What beach area would be best to spend a night (or two) that's not too far from the airport (maybe 30 minutes to an hour)? On a previous trip, we did Hollywood and stayed in Santa Monica, so probably south of LAX this time?

I'd like to take a day and drive down PCH and explore the various beach towns. We're mainly interested in staying somewhere (hotel) that is close to the beach/pier, has walkable dining, shops, Basically, some place with good scenery for an evening stroll. Maybe something similar to Santa Monica. Thanks!

Answer

Since you’ve already experienced Santa Monica and want something south of LAX with walkable dining, scenic beachfront areas, and an easy drive from the airport, you have several excellent options. The South Bay beach towns—Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach—are perfect for exactly what you're describing. Each one has a slightly different vibe, and all are within 10–20 minutes of LAX.

Below is a detailed breakdown to help you choose the best beach area for your Saturday–Monday stay, plus suggestions if you want to explore more of the coastline on Sunday.

1. BEST OVERALL CHOICE: MANHATTAN BEACH

Manhattan Beach is often described as a more relaxed, smaller-scale version of Santa Monica—with a beautiful pier, lively but not chaotic dining scene, and walkable streets. It’s upscale but still very friendly and low-stress.

Distance from LAX: 10–15 minutes.
Why it's ideal: Great beach, clean neighborhoods, extremely walkable, lots of restaurants and cafés along Manhattan Beach Blvd and the Manhattan Beach Pier area.
Best for: A relaxing evening stroll, sunset viewing, brunch spots, and feeling like you’re in a classic Southern California beach town.
Hotel suggestions (general types): Beachfront or near-beach boutique hotels and upscale inns. A few sit just steps from the pier.

This is the closest match to Santa Monica but calmer, making it perfect for seniors and your adult son.

2. GREAT FOR A LIVELIER “BEACH TOWN” VIBE: HERMOSA BEACH

Hermosa Beach has one of the best walking/biking promenades in LA County—the Strand—and a fun, youthful vibe with tons of restaurants and bars clustered around Pier Avenue.

Distance from LAX: 20 minutes.
Why it works: Lots of energy without being overwhelming; especially fun for the 26-year-old. Great people-watching, volleyball, live music, and long beach walks.
Hotel suggestions (general types): Pier-area hotels with ocean views that allow you to walk everywhere.

If you want something more lively than Manhattan Beach, but still clean, safe, and walkable, Hermosa is a great fit.

3. MOST RELAXED & BUDGET-FRIENDLY: REDONDO BEACH (especially the Marina/King Harbor area)

Redondo Beach is quieter and more spread out than Manhattan or Hermosa, but still has beautiful scenery and a great harbor promenade.

Distance from LAX: 25–30 minutes.
Why choose it: More affordable hotels, peaceful waterfront, and walking paths around the marina. Dining is very close by and easy to access.
Hotel suggestions (general types): Waterside hotels near the marina with great views and easy strolls.

This works well if you prefer a calmer pace with scenic harbor views and access to the beach towns north and south.

4. IF YOU WANT TO DRIVE FURTHER DOWN THE COAST: NEWPORT BEACH OR LAGUNA BEACH

These are farther from LAX but absolutely beautiful if you want a more “destination” feel.

Newport Beach: Big harbor, lots of dining, great walking at Balboa Peninsula.
Laguna Beach: Stunning cliffs, coves, boutique hotels, walkable art-filled downtown.
Drive from LAX: 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic.

If your priority is classic SoCal scenery and dramatic coastline, Laguna is unmatched—but it’s not as convenient for your Monday Dodger game.

BEST PLAN FOR YOUR TRIP

Given your schedule and interests, here is a practical and relaxing plan:

Saturday night: Stay in Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach. After you check in, take a stroll on the pier, grab dinner, and enjoy the sunset.
Sunday: Drive down the Pacific Coast Highway—stop through Hermosa, Redondo, Palos Verdes viewpoints, Long Beach waterfront, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and maybe Laguna if you go that far.
Sunday night: Either stay in the same beach town (recommended for simplicity) or spend the night further down the OC coast if you want a different vibe.
Monday: Enjoy a relaxed morning at the beach and then head toward Dodger Stadium in the afternoon to avoid traffic.

SUMMARY

If you want the closest match to Santa Monica but south of the airport, choose Manhattan Beach. If you want more nightlife and energy for your son, choose Hermosa Beach. If budget and peaceful marina views matter, choose Redondo Beach. All are within easy reach of LAX and perfect for a weekend of scenic coastal exploring.

Which Beach Area to Spend the Night?

More Los Angeles Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions