URBAN BEACH 3

03 – Los Angeles, USA

California is no slouch when it comes to postcard-perfect sea-and-be-seen hangouts, and LA is the star of the show. Bohemian Venice Beach is a playground for body-builders, rollerbladers and Baywatch-fit beauties. A must if you’re in Santa Monica, after a cocktail at the Viceroy, saunter along the Ocean Front Walk and the Promenade to the fairground on Santa Monica Pier.
If it’s surfing you’re in the mood for, Malibu is always a winner, while south of LAX, Manhattan Beach is brimming with beautiful people and big sunglasses – to be quintessentially Californian, use the cycle path to get there. Zuma, north of Malibu is a great locals’ beach (Top tip: take a picnic as the food on offer otherwise is nothing-special burger and fries.)
But for LA’s most romantic beach, El Matador wins our heart, about 10 miles north of Malibu, with its rocky shores and hidden coves.