Getting to the beach is one thing. Actually getting onto it is another. Sand is a natural barrier — soft, uneven, and difficult to navigate with a wheelchair or mobility aid. But several Los Angeles County beaches have made real investments in beach-specific accessibility, including loaner beach wheelchairs with wide tires designed for sand, and access mats that provide a firmer surface from the parking lot to the water’s edge.
This guide covers 8 of the most accessible beaches in the Los Angeles area, with notes on what each one actually offers. A few things worth knowing before you go:
Standard wheelchairs don’t work on sand. The beach wheelchairs provided by LA County have wide, sand-appropriate tires — a different piece of equipment from a standard chair, and they make a real difference for getting to the water’s edge.
Beach wheelchairs are free but limited. LA County provides loaner beach wheelchairs at no charge at select beaches, but availability is first-come, first-served at most locations. Dockweiler is the only beach where you can reserve one in advance. Call (424) 526-7842 for general questions about the program.
Access mats are seasonal at some beaches. Venice and Zuma have mats available April through October only.
Parking fills fast. Accessible parking spaces at popular beaches are limited and go quickly on warm weekends. Arriving early is consistently the best advice.
1. Dockweiler State Beach
Playa del Rey | Free; parking fees apply
Dockweiler is the best option for visitors who need a beach wheelchair — it’s the only LA County beach where you can reserve one in advance. The Beach Wheelchair Service at the Dockweiler Youth Center has 6 beach wheelchairs available daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Reserve at least 24 hours ahead (no more than 7 days out) by calling (310) 726-4128. There’s a 2-hour time limit and you’ll need a valid ID.
Beyond the wheelchair program, Dockweiler has accessible parking, paved pathways, accessible restrooms, and an access mat. RV camping is available with accessible campsites. One practical note: the beach sits directly under the LAX flight path — aircraft noise is frequent and worth knowing about for anyone with sound sensitivity.
See full accessibility details →
2. Venice Beach
Venice | Free; parking fees apply
Venice Beach has a paved oceanfront boardwalk (Ocean Front Walk) running parallel to the beach — a flat, level route that works well for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids. LA County beach wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the lifeguard headquarters. An access mat is available April through October, providing a firmer surface from the boardwalk to the sand.
Venice is one of the most iconic beaches in Los Angeles — street performers, murals, the famous muscle beach, and a genuinely vibrant stretch of coast. It can get extremely crowded on summer weekends, so early weekday mornings are significantly more manageable for anyone who needs space to navigate or prefers a quieter environment.
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3. Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica | Free; parking fees apply
Santa Monica State Beach has one of the more complete accessible setups on the LA coast. The Ocean Front Walk promenade runs the full length of the beach — paved and flat, one of the better beachfront routes in the area for wheelchair users. Accessible parking lots, accessible drop-off areas, and accessible restrooms are available at multiple points along the beach. Beach wheelchairs are available at select lifeguard stations, and beach matting assists with access onto the sand.
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4. Marina Mother’s Beach
Marina del Rey | Free
Marina Mother’s Beach is a sheltered, wave-free beach inside the Marina del Rey harbor — a genuinely different experience from the open-ocean beaches on this list. The calm, protected water makes it particularly well-suited for visitors with mobility needs who find ocean surf difficult to manage. Paved, level pathways connect the parking area to the beach, and an LA County access mat is available at this location. Accessible parking, drop-off zones, and accessible restrooms are on site.
The adjacent grassy picnic areas and playground are accessible via paved routes, making this a good option for families with children with disabilities.
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5. Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach | Free; parking fees apply
Manhattan Beach has a paved Strand pathway running the full length of the beachfront — well-maintained and comfortable for wheelchair users. The City of Manhattan Beach provides loaner beach wheelchairs free of charge through the Parks and Recreation Department, and an LA County access mat is also available at this location. Designated access ramps and pathways assist with the transition from the Strand to the sand.
Visitors recommend contacting the Parks and Recreation Department in advance to confirm beach wheelchair availability.
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6. Torrance Beach
Torrance | Free; parking fees apply
Torrance Beach sits between Redondo Beach and the Palos Verdes cliffs — quieter and less crowded than the central LA beaches. LA County beach wheelchairs are available for loan, and an access mat is provided at this location. The beach has over 300 parking spaces, restrooms, showers, and a bike path connection. The lower crowd levels make it a good option for visitors who find busier beaches overwhelming or difficult to navigate.
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7. Zuma Beach
Malibu | Free; parking fees apply
Zuma is one of the largest beaches in LA County — 1.8 miles of coastline with approximately 2,000 parking spaces across eight lots. The scale works in favor of accessibility: more room to spread out, plentiful parking compared to smaller beaches, and a wide flat expanse near the parking lots that is relatively manageable before reaching the waterline. LA County beach wheelchairs are available, and an access mat is in place April through October. A bus stop at the beach provides an accessible transit option for visitors without personal vehicles.
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8. Will Rogers State Beach
Pacific Palisades | Free; parking fees apply
Will Rogers has accessible parking lots with designated spaces along PCH, accessible restrooms, and LA County beach wheelchairs available for loan. The beach tends to be less crowded than Santa Monica or Venice, and the parking area provides level access to beach amenities.
Current note: the access mat at Will Rogers is temporarily unavailable due to wildfire impacts in the area. Beach wheelchairs remain available — call ahead to verify current mat status before your visit.
See full accessibility details →
Planning Your Beach Visit
Reserve Dockweiler’s beach wheelchair in advance — it’s the only reservable option. Call (310) 726-4128 at least 24 hours before your visit.
Call ahead for mat and wheelchair availability. Conditions change seasonally and due to weather or wildfire impacts. LA County Beaches and Harbors: (424) 526-7842.
Arrive early. Accessible parking fills quickly at every beach on this list, especially on summer weekends.
Check the LA County Beach ADA Access page for the most current information on wheelchair and mat availability at all County beaches.
Browse all accessible beach listings in Los Angeles at OnlyEverywhere.com.