I know that it’s saying a lot. But I truly stand behind this statement. I’ve found the best Los Angeles Beach to visit with kids and I simply couldn’t keep it to my self. By now you know that I think that travel with kids is pretty important. But that doesn’t mean its always easy. The beach is one area that typically comes with a whole host of inconveniences. If you’re a parent of small children I challenge you to close your eyes and think about all the amenities you wish you had access to at the beach with your children. Ready to find a place that is the best beach for kids?
Let me share a place that checks all of those boxes.
Annenberg Community Beach House
The 5-acre oceanfront site upon which the Annenberg Community Beach House now sits was originally developed during the Gold Coast era of the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies. The Davies estate featured a mansion of 100-plus rooms and an ornate marble swimming pool. Over the years the Beach has shifted from private property to several iterations of public property. It finally opened to the public as the Annenberg Community Beach House in 2009. The Beach House combines elements of the historic Marion Davies Estate with updated amenities making it a beautiful community destination.
Nowadays the Annenberg Beach House is known for year-round cultural events and exhibits, and summer fun in the sun. It’s an excellent place to enjoy as an adult, but where it really shines is its kid-friendliness. Which is why I confidently call it the best LA beach for kids.
Let me tell you why.
Parking
If you’ve ever gone to the beach with small children you know that half the battle is getting from the car to the beach with all of the stuff. Dear lord why is there so much stuff? There is also a heavy dose of parking lot shenanigans (pictured above). The parking situation at the Annenberg beach house is the first reason it’s a winner for parents with small children. There is ample parking, it’s close, and there is a sidewalk (& then boardwalk) that takes you pretty far down the beach. This is a game changer for the patrons who have to schlep strollers with 10,000 pounds of beach toys and snacks.
Splash Pad
As soon as you get parked and start to make your way towards the beach you will notice the massive splash pad. In fact, you’ll have to make a decision pretty quickly about whether you are going to stop at the splash pad before making your way to the beach. In our family, we have a rule: we will always hit the splash pad, but never on the way in. If you’re thinking about washing all the sand off your kids before they go back in your car, I’ve found the splash pad is an excellent final stop.
Playground
Once you’ve passed the splash pad you’ll find yourself staring at a decent sized covered playground. It’s in the sand, it’s pretty minimal, but its perfect nonetheless. This playground has the advantage of being in front of the cafe, the bathrooms, the rinse stations, and the canopies. I mean, it really doesn’t get any better than this.
Bathrooms
Speaking of bathrooms. The outdoor bathrooms aren’t particularly special, but they’ve always been clean. This is a feat in and of itself. It’s worth being celebrated. The bathrooms at Annenberg Community Beach House (near the Back on the Beach Cafe) have always been clean.
Restaurant
Back on the Beach Cafe is located right next to the outdoor bathrooms and the playground and it’s a cool little setup. Our family has used both the walk-up takeout window as well as sat down for a nice brunch with friends (seating in the sand). We’ve not be disappointed. We typically pack lunch and snacks for a day at the beach but it’s nice to have the option to grab something quick in the event that someone’s sandwich gets knocked into the sand. Also, brunch in the sand is like the secret to happy parents and kids. Letting your kid play in the sand beneath the table while you finish your coffee is a godsend. If you’d prefer they have indoor seating as well. If you’re thinking of hitting it up for brunch, I’d recommend the smoked salmon benedict. The french toast was a hit with the kids.
Prime Real Estate: A beach for kids
So this is what you came for. This stretch of beach, north of the pier, is clean. The surf is rarely turbulent, and there is a decent shelf (ie- the kiddos can go out pretty far before it gets deep). There are also ample lifeguards on duty which really makes the beachgoing experience more relaxing for mom and dad. I mean, don’t take your eyes off your kids if you can avoid it, but it’s nice to know that someone trained to help is around if you need it. In addition to just being a cleaner beach, there is another aspect to this prime real estate: Canopy Rental. Or better yet there are three canopies available on a first come, first served basis. These free canopies are right across from the aforementioned playground, bathroom, cafe area. Jackpot!
If you’ve been to the beach with small children you know that about 80% of the time is spent playing in the sand and eating, and only 20% is spent in the actual water. For this reason, I do not place a lot of value on being right down by the water. My children are also young enough that they aren’t allowed to be in the water without an adult. Now you see why the Canopies up by the Beach House are worth their weight in gold.
Once you’ve gone a few times you’ll be able to pretty accurately gauge when you need to arrive in order to secure a free canopy. I was lucky, I learned about this gem from a seasoned LA mom friend. As such, I have only missed out on the free canopy once. And even then, I was pretty sure we wouldn’t be able to get a canopy when we left the house. Call me spoiled but I was so annoyed with having to schlep our own canopy.
Bonus: There’s a pool
They are known for this. But we’ve never used it because we live in a neighborhood with multiple pools (including a community resort). They have several events at the pool, including exercise classes, be sure to check that out if that’s your thing. This is the best beach for kids.
Xo, Kimberly Fe'Lix
