The challenge with El Segundo's only beach is its location. An oil refinery sits up the hill, and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) borders it to the north. To escape the crowds of other Southern California beaches, sunbathing on the wide sand is an option, but not many people swim in the ocean here. The 22-mile South Bay Bicycle Trail runs along this stretch of sand, and you can access it for bicycling, jogging and walking. Reach the beach at Grand Avenue and Vista del Mar Boulevard. Pay for parking in the city lot or find a spot on the street for free. You can bring food or nonalcoholic drinks to the beach; there are no food services provided. There are portable toilets in the parking lot.
The next stop on the sand north of El Segundo beach takes you to Vista Del Mar Beach Park (laparks.org). The quirkiness of this beach can be found at the attached pocket park that sits under the flight path of runway 24 at LAX. Next to the sand, you'll find photographers lying on the grass, aiming their cameras toward the sky. Kids enjoy this beach for its play area with swings and climbing equipment. You can barbecue or picnic here; there are grills and tables.
Parking on the street is free.
The city of Manhattan Beach (manhattan-beach.ca.us) borders El Segundo to the south. Here, beachgoers find a surfing and volleyball mecca; every year the city hosts the Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball tournament and the International Surf Festival. If you want to hit the ball around, there are more than 50 sand volleyball courts open to the public, stretching along the beach on both sides of the Manhattan Beach pier. Volleyball and surfboard lessons, as well as rentals, are available.
Head north less than 10 miles to Santa Monica State Beach (smgov.net) for a classic California beach experience. There are 245 acres of sand to play on along Santa Monica Bay. This is a popular place to swim, surf, walk and play volleyball.
For a change of pace, rent surfboards north or south of the pier; rent bikes and skates and ride the path that runs more than 5 miles next to the beach. If you want to take a break from the sand, make the short walk to the Santa Monica Pier (santamonicapier.org). The pier has an amusement park with a historic carousel, Ferris wheel and roller-coaster, as well as an aquarium, restaurants and shops.
