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Zuma Beach › Los Angeles beaches › Dockweiler State Beach

Dockweiler State Beach

Location: 12501 Vista Del Mar, Playa del Rey, CA 90293

How to get there

Drive N or S 405 Freeway (San Diego) exit Imperial Highway west to Vista del Mar Blvd. On Pacific Coast Highway between Malibu Canyon Road and Rambla Pacifica Road.

About Dockweiler

Running from the Playa Del Rey Beach which juts up against the Ballona Creek and Marina Del Rey, this long sandy beach runs all the way down to Manhattan Beach and encompasses a wide range of facilities.


From piers to parks it is one of the best beaches in Los Angeles and comparatively peaceful.

The Vista Del Mar Park has a kids climbing frame under shade, kiddy swings, and green lawns and picnic tables. The perfect place for a sand-free picnic with the under 5's just across the road from the beach itself.

There are several parking lots and the one next to the Dockweiler Picnic Area has the official entrance and is a safe place to park.

Because many of the facilities are recently built the whole area seems clean and new.  With almost 4 miles of ocean shore and a great width for most of if there is no shortage of room to put your beach towel down on Dockweiler!

Many people remember this beach specifically for the firepits that allow open fires and BBQ which is not allowed on the majority of LA beaches.  You can't reserve firepits though so if you want to have an evening BBQ on a busy weekend or holiday then be prepared to get there early and to hold on to the pit for the entire day.

At the far ends of the beach were it is less busy this is also a good place to go bird watching.  You will find a variety of native Californian wildlife here and recently people have reported seeing willets, whimbrels, Heermann's gulls, western gulls, double-crested cormorants, a couple of black turnstones, and some plovers.

Newly renovated beach facilities located near LAX, 3.7 miles of ocean frontage and 255 acres of beach. Beach wheelchairs available.

It includes all the things you would expect from a beach from the lifeguards to the restrooms. 

Dockweiler State Beach

Parking fees: $.25 cents for every 10 minutes

This beach also has a RV park with plenty of spaces, and full facilities including electricity, water, restrooms showers and everything you need for your camping vacation.  It is the only LA county beach with that has RV parking slots actually on the beach.  There are specific services just for RV drivers including pump-out station and a landromat.  Every individual campsite has a separate picnic table and barbecue.

Lifeguards service are available during day light hours.

The Dockweiler is also a a popular spot for surfing and you will see locals using their boards up and down the beach when the waves are breaking. You may find updates on surf reports on their Twitter account @LACoLifeguards.

Bike path: Map of Beach Bike Path (Marvin Braude Bike Trail)

Related information:

Blu's Birthday Bonfire at Dockweiler State Beach

Here is Dockweiler State Beach on the map.

 

Nearby Attractions

While most people visit the beach just for a day of sand, sun, surf and fun, there are actually many interesting attractions all within easy reach of the beach. So if you want to combine some activities in a day in the area, or simply want to allow some members of your group to do different things, then consider some of these nearby attractions.

Point Dume - At the end of the beach, visible as you look all the way to the left while facing the sea, Point Dume is a rocky promontory that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. The point, a long bluff, forms the northern end of the Santa Monica Bay. It is most interesting as a rock climbing location as the rocking mound forms a natural climbing wall with very moderate single pitch rock climbing routes that are perfect for the beginner or training, or simply for those simply wishing to try out natural rock climbing.

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