The best beach hotels in Los Angeles in 2026 are Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar on the sand in Santa Monica, Malibu Beach Inn and The Surfrider in Malibu, and Terranea on the Palos Verdes cliffs. Regent Santa Monica Beach (formerly the Loews) suits families, Hotel Erwin puts you on the Venice boardwalk, and Beach House Hermosa sits on the Strand.
A beach hotel in LA usually means Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu or the South Bay. Santa Monica is the most convenient, with the pier, shops and restaurants within walking distance; Malibu is quieter and more remote.
LA's classic hotel on the sand.
Shutters on the Beach sits right on the sand in Santa Monica, with a pool deck and the beach bike path out front. Rooms are designed like a comfortable beach house.
It is a short walk to the pier and Main Street.
Good to know: Ocean-view rooms have balconies over the beach.
1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
A grand 1926 beach club with an ocean-view lobby.
Hotel Casa del Mar faces the ocean next to Shutters, with a grand lobby lounge, a pool and rooms looking over the sand.
It is a little more formal than its neighbor.
Good to know: Book a room with a view of the pier.
1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405
A big resort hotel steps from the pier, formerly the Loews.
Regent Santa Monica Beach, the former Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, is a large resort near the pier with a pool overlooking the ocean and a spa.
It is close to everything in Santa Monica.
Good to know: Ask about family packages and pool cabanas when booking.
1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
An eco-minded hotel across from the beach on Ocean Avenue.
Shore Hotel is a modern, LEED-certified hotel across Ocean Avenue from Palisades Park and the beach, a short walk to the pier.
Rooms have balconies, many with ocean views.
Good to know: Ask for an ocean-view balcony room.
1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
A boardwalk hotel with a rooftop bar in Venice.
Hotel Erwin is steps from the sand on the Venice boardwalk, with colorful rooms and the High rooftop bar.
It is a lively, central beach base.
Good to know: Rooms facing the ocean get the best views but more street noise.
1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291
A small, quiet hotel directly on Carbon Beach in Malibu.
Malibu Beach Inn sits on Carbon Beach, with every room facing the ocean and private balconies. Carbon Beach Club, the restaurant, has terrace seating over the water.
It is intimate and calm.
Good to know: Watch for dolphins from the deck at breakfast.
22878 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
A small surf-style hotel across from Surfrider Beach.
The Surfrider Malibu is a small hotel in a renovated 1950s motel across PCH from Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier. The rooftop deck looks over one of the most famous surf breaks in California.
Surfboards and bikes are available for guests.
Good to know: Book well ahead for summer weekends.
23033 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Suites right on the Strand in Hermosa Beach.
Beach House Hotel sits on the Strand, the beach path in Hermosa Beach, with suite-style rooms and kitchenettes. The pier and Hermosa's bars are a short walk away.
It is about 20 minutes from LAX.
Good to know: Good for longer stays thanks to the kitchenettes.
1300 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
A cliff-top ocean resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Terranea is a large resort on the cliffs of Palos Verdes, with pools, a spa, a nine-hole golf course and trails along the ocean. It feels far from the city.
Whales pass offshore in winter and spring.
Good to know: Book a room with an ocean view and walk the cove trail at sunset.
100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Waterfront rooms facing the Long Beach skyline.
Hotel Maya, a DoubleTree by Hilton, sits on the water next to the Queen Mary, with views across the harbor to downtown Long Beach. It has a pool and waterfront restaurant.
It is a good value base for Long Beach.
Good to know: Ask for a room facing the skyline.
700 Queensway Dr, Long Beach, CA 90802
Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, Malibu Beach Inn on Carbon Beach and Beach House Hotel on the Strand in Hermosa Beach are all directly on the sand.
Santa Monica is the best all-around beach base, with a walkable downtown, the pier and Metro access. Hermosa and Manhattan Beach are more laid-back and close to LAX.
Terranea Resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula has pools, a spa, golf and cliff-top trails with ocean views.
Hotel Erwin in Venice and the Shore Hotel in Santa Monica are usually cheaper than the beachfront luxury hotels. Rates still rise in summer.
The Pacific is cool, around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, warmest in August and September. Most beach hotels have heated pools.