El Porto Beach

The view of the Chevron refinery and the occasional plane coming in and out of the nearby LAX may not make this South Bay beach the prettiest of beaches, but consistent waves make this a favorite for surfers of various levels (re: crowds) who make the trip from all parts of SoCal. Scope out a spot along the wide stretch of surf with various breaks marked by jetties on either side. Newbies love the sandy beach break (just mind your etiquette and watch out for the occasional flying board), while winter wave hunters can brave overhead waves. Remember to bring those quarters for the coin-metered parking lot—enter from 45th Street—with a five-hour limit. Early birds get the worm (and less crowded waves) with free parking before 10am. Those that prefer to stay on land can make use of the bike path and volleyball courts.