Waterfall Hikes
Family-Friendly Coastal Bike Trails with Stunning Pacific Ocean Views
Last Updated: August 21, 2026
The best beach bike paths in Los Angeles offer some of Southern California's most scenic coastal cycling, ideal for cyclists, walkers, and rollerbladers of all skill levels. Most routes connect into the paved Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail (also known as The Strand), which runs roughly 22 miles along the Pacific coastline. This 2026 guide covers the top beach bike trails in LA County — including Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and beyond — so you can plan a flat, family-friendly ride with unbeatable ocean views.
Riding the Santa Monica bike trail is a quintessential Southern California experience, immersing cyclists in coastal scenery and vibrant beach-town culture. Stretching from just south of Chautauqua Blvd at the north end to Marine Avenue, the Santa Monica portion of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail — known as The Strand — covers a scenic 21-mile route. Along the way, riders pass the iconic Santa Monica Pier, a landmark that's appeared in countless films, music videos, and TV shows, including "The Sting," "Forrest Gump," "Hancock," "Titanic," "Iron Man," and "A Night at the Roxbury." That cinematic history makes this one of the most-recognized stretches of coastline in Los Angeles.
The Venice Beach bike path winds along the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk, offering a lively and unmistakably Southern California ride. Starting at Navy Street and running south to the Venice Pier at Washington Blvd, this section of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail delivers scenic ocean views and a cool breeze alongside a rich cinematic history. Venice Beach has been a favorite filming location since the early 1900s — from the 1910 silent film "Never Again" to modern productions like "Barbie," "Three's Company," "Baywatch," "The Doors," "American Gigolo," "Xanadu," and "The Jazz Singer."
Cycling the Marina del Rey section of the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail (The Strand) combines coastal serenity with iconic Los Angeles landmarks. Beginning where Washington Blvd meets the Venice Beach Pier, this 22-mile trail is a favorite for both outdoor enthusiasts and the film industry. Just a short drive from Hollywood, Marina del Rey has served as a backdrop for "Dexter," "The Office," "American Sniper," "Overboard," "The Lincoln Lawyer," "Nip/Tuck," "CHiPs," "Knots Landing," and "The Jazz Singer," making it a versatile, cinematic stop on any coastal ride.
The Strand in Manhattan Beach — part of the Marvin Braude Bike Path — starts at Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades and runs 22 miles south to Torrance County Beach. The Manhattan Beach section, beginning at 45th Street, is lined with volleyball nets and ocean views, and the 17-mile stretch from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach is a favorite with both cyclists and filmmakers. Just 15 miles from Hollywood, the South Bay has hosted scenes from "The Avengers," "Avatar 2," "The Mandalorian," "Point Break," "Captain America," "Thor," "Jerry Maguire," and "Against All Odds."
The Hermosa Beach Strand is a charming pedestrian walkway and bike path for cyclists, runners, and skaters alike. Beginning at 35th Street at the end of Manhattan Beach and continuing to the Hermosa Beach Pier and on toward the Venice Beach Boardwalk, this route covers a scenic 12.6-mile ride. Hermosa Beach has its own film pedigree, too — scenes from "La La Land" capture the neighborhood's vibrant atmosphere, and the Hermosa Beach Pier and Ocean Diner appeared in "Westworld." Other productions filmed here include "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Against All Odds," "Carrie," "Creature from the Black Lagoon," and "Age of Summer."
The Playa del Rey bike path is one of the most scenic sections of the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, running along the coastline between Marina del Rey and Dockweiler State Beach. It offers a more relaxed ride than the busier Venice and Santa Monica stretches, with wide-open Pacific views, sandy beaches, and distinctive scenery near LAX. The trail continues south toward Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, making Playa del Rey a convenient starting point for a longer coastal ride. Dockweiler State Beach is also part of ongoing coastal improvement efforts designed to protect the shoreline while maintaining public beach and bike path access.
The Redondo Beach section of The Strand is one of the best options for a longer beach ride in Los Angeles. This paved coastal route travels through the South Bay, connecting Redondo Beach with Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and the northern stretches of the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail. Riders pass the Redondo Beach Pier, King Harbor, and the area's waterfront attractions along the way. For cyclists who want to rack up several miles without leaving the coast, Redondo Beach makes an excellent southern destination before continuing on toward Torrance.
Torrance Beach marks the southern end of the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail and offers a quieter setting than the busier beach towns farther north. The paved route follows the shoreline through the South Bay with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It's an especially good turnaround point for riders looking to cover most of the coastal trail's approximately 22-mile span between Will Rogers State Beach and Torrance County Beach.
The Long Beach Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath offers a different flavor of beach cycling than the open-ocean stretches of The Strand. This roughly 3.1-mile paved path runs along the waterfront from Alamitos Avenue to 54th Place, with dedicated space for both bikes and pedestrians. Riders get views of the Pacific, Alamitos Bay, the Long Beach waterfront, and Shoreline Village on a flat, easy route — a good fit for casual riders and families rather than a long-distance workout. The City of Long Beach describes it as a 17-foot-wide concrete path with designated bicycle and pedestrian lanes.
The Ballona Creek bike path isn't a traditional beachfront route, but it's a great addition for cyclists exploring the LA coast. The trail follows Ballona Creek between the Pacific Ocean at Marina del Rey and Culver City, connecting inland Los Angeles to the beach. It links up with the coastal bike path near Marina del Rey, so riders can pair a creekside ride with a longer trip along the Pacific. At around 13.4 miles with minimal elevation gain, Ballona Creek is a solid option for extending a coastal cycling adventure inland.