Dockweiler State Beach
Dockweiler State Beach
3.5
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Neighborhood: Playa del Rey
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345 within 3 miles
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274 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
113 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
44
Average
19
Poor
8
Terrible
9
Char J
Indianapolis, IN229 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Parking was $9 and then we had access to beach and fire pits to enjoy the sunset and evening ocean air. Bring your own wood, recommend beach chairs and blankets as it gets chilly. They allow alcohol on the beach. Felt safe and enjoyable parking lot is lit and there were periodic patrols.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indah Edlightz
Ontario, Canada4,060 contributions
Oct 2021
This is a great beach that is not talked about a lot.. everyone is suggesting other locations further north or south but this is a great spot. Very large beach with tons of parking and room for activities. The only issue I had was that they closed the car beach access right before sunset when everyone was trying to get in.. this causes a lot of chaos as they selectively allow cars in and turn other cars away. Especially when the beach is listed as open until 8:30pm. Lots of folks end up missing out on the beautiful sunset because of that and its seems completely arbitrary. Also getting out of is a bit of a headache. If you are lucky enough you can get a good parking spot along Vista Del Mar and cross the road. Just careful as its a very busy road. The beach itself is huge and very clean. One thing (pro or con depending on the individual) is that the beach is located just outside the airport runway so if you don't want the noise, the beach is not for you.. if you enjoy watching low flying planes at take-off, its an added bonus.
Written November 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HowTheWest W
1 contribution
Jul 2023
Years ago I visited this beach and I don't remember it being as loud as it was last night as a group tried to do yoga on the beach. Jets, planes, and helicopters are pretty much flying non-stop over the area so it's hard to get a nice relaxing beach experience at this location. Aviation noise pollution has really disrupted LA county coastal cities.
Malibu may be a bit quieter if you're looking for a quieter beach or go further down to Hermosa but expect small planes at a minimum as our airspace has been taken over by rouge aviation.
Malibu may be a bit quieter if you're looking for a quieter beach or go further down to Hermosa but expect small planes at a minimum as our airspace has been taken over by rouge aviation.
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TirelessTravelers
Tucson, AZ57 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
This RV park is right on the state beach. The parking is on level asphalt areas, each one has a picnic bench, grill and full hookups. The spaces are placed on a slant for views to the beach. The spaces are oceanfront, middle and back. Fees are determined on location of spot. (2nd time here and always had a space in the back - it was fine) The park has bathroom and shower facilities and full hookups. There are large RVs, pop-up tents and camper vans. Campfires are allowed on the beach.
There is a fantastic bike path that runs directly on the beach heading off in both directions. About 5 miles to the south on the bike path there are some nice restaurants,(that way you can work up an appetite) to the north you can ride all the way to Santa Monica pier on the bike path with a relatively small amount of the path on the road.
There is a fantastic bike path that runs directly on the beach heading off in both directions. About 5 miles to the south on the bike path there are some nice restaurants,(that way you can work up an appetite) to the north you can ride all the way to Santa Monica pier on the bike path with a relatively small amount of the path on the road.
Written August 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScenicSue
Whittier, CA65 contributions
Apr 2012 • Family
This campground was great. Full Hook-ups. If you like to RV camp, then you know full hook-ups are worth it.
Docweiler State Beach Campground is clean and quiet. All of the campspots are the same. All equal in the view of the ocean. The beach front spots are right on the ocean and no obstructed view.
There is no general store. So if you forgot something, you'll have to drive out of the park and to the nearest store.
Restrooms are clean and spacious. The showers were free! No coins to operate the shower, like other State Beaches in Southern California.
Firepits were a plenty. Easy walk from campspot to beach.
No privacy between campspots. RV camping only. There is no tent camping.
Otherwise it was a great visit and we plan to go back again and tell our friends of the great experience.
PS...Located at the end of the 105 freeway, at the end of the LAX runway. The plane noise didn't interrupt our nice weekend.
Docweiler State Beach Campground is clean and quiet. All of the campspots are the same. All equal in the view of the ocean. The beach front spots are right on the ocean and no obstructed view.
There is no general store. So if you forgot something, you'll have to drive out of the park and to the nearest store.
Restrooms are clean and spacious. The showers were free! No coins to operate the shower, like other State Beaches in Southern California.
Firepits were a plenty. Easy walk from campspot to beach.
No privacy between campspots. RV camping only. There is no tent camping.
Otherwise it was a great visit and we plan to go back again and tell our friends of the great experience.
PS...Located at the end of the 105 freeway, at the end of the LAX runway. The plane noise didn't interrupt our nice weekend.
Written April 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inspiration1645
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
Being one of only two So. Cal. beaches that have firepits makes this the perfect getaway if you're looking to see a romantic sunset w/ that special someone or are planning a family outing. Excellent facilities, especially for the toddlers, who will marvel at the planes in the sky landing/taking off from neighboring LAX. Definitely a beach to visit at least once.
Written July 23, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boston-LA
Los Angeles, CA29 contributions
I went to this beach last year for a friend's birthday party. It's the only area beach we know of that allows fires, so that's why he chose this. The beach was ok, rather sketchy and right under the LAX flightpath. Bathrooms, horrid (some kind of a sludge covering the floor). Also, we were planning another evening outing, but there was a gang shootout there last week so we have changed out plans.
Written May 10, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NeoNorth
300 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
If visiting from out of town, I think you'll be happier going to some of the other beaches depending on what you are looking for.
If for relaxation: Malibu or South OC
If for entertainment: Venice is a good one
Social: Manhatten or HB
If these tips were helpful, please let me know by hitting that like button. I'm a fellow traveler so I appreciate when other people have given me tips. Even if this review helps one traveler then it's worth it to me. Safe Travels!
If for relaxation: Malibu or South OC
If for entertainment: Venice is a good one
Social: Manhatten or HB
If these tips were helpful, please let me know by hitting that like button. I'm a fellow traveler so I appreciate when other people have given me tips. Even if this review helps one traveler then it's worth it to me. Safe Travels!
Written November 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bentheredunthat
West Coast548 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Dockweiler Beach
12501 Vista Del Mar
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
(310) 322-4951
www.parks.ca.gov
Due to concerns of locals and environmental (air quality) implications, Beaches allowing bonfires are dwindilling. There are Cabrillo, Huntington, Bolsa Chica and Doheny but one of the best remains Dockweiler.
By day One can play some Volleyball, Surf, hang out and enjoy this long expanse of beach that begins at Ballona Creek and runs south until it reaches neighboring El Segundo Beach... and at night there are 75 Fire Pits just waiting for frivolity!
Get there before 5 pm to assure having a Pit.
Parking cost between $6 and $8. Has RV hookups, costing around $50 a night. Restrooms are locked up at 9pm and you may be advised to, at least, give the appearance of starting to load out your party by 10 pm but often people are able to hang out and party much later into the night.
"CARPE NOCTEM" ("Seize the night").... Beach Bonfires are one of my favorite SoCal memories. Be it jamming to tunes and tribal dancing around the flames or just mellowing out with a bunch of friends... or just with one friend, if ya know what I mean?
12501 Vista Del Mar
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
(310) 322-4951
www.parks.ca.gov
Due to concerns of locals and environmental (air quality) implications, Beaches allowing bonfires are dwindilling. There are Cabrillo, Huntington, Bolsa Chica and Doheny but one of the best remains Dockweiler.
By day One can play some Volleyball, Surf, hang out and enjoy this long expanse of beach that begins at Ballona Creek and runs south until it reaches neighboring El Segundo Beach... and at night there are 75 Fire Pits just waiting for frivolity!
Get there before 5 pm to assure having a Pit.
Parking cost between $6 and $8. Has RV hookups, costing around $50 a night. Restrooms are locked up at 9pm and you may be advised to, at least, give the appearance of starting to load out your party by 10 pm but often people are able to hang out and party much later into the night.
"CARPE NOCTEM" ("Seize the night").... Beach Bonfires are one of my favorite SoCal memories. Be it jamming to tunes and tribal dancing around the flames or just mellowing out with a bunch of friends... or just with one friend, if ya know what I mean?
Written October 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peterloaiza
Long Beach, CA13 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
I had been wanting to bonfire at Dockweiler for a few years. I live in Long Beach and typically spend time at Seal, Bolsa Chica, and Huntington Beach, I arrived early on a Saturday to grab a fire pit so we could bonfire later in the evening and I could not believe how much trash was left on the beach from the night before. It was shocking! There was a big crew of workers there early in the morning to clean up and they had the tractors on the sand scooping up trash as well. It seems as if most crowds on this beach party there all day and leave their trash all over when they leave. There are lots of locals from surrounding neighborhoods that occupy this beach and most people are not considerate of who is around them. Many groups bring big speaker systems and blast their music for everyone to hear (whether you want to hear it or not) and the whole beach reeked of marijuana. There were at least three groups around us that dug out their own fire pits in the sand and started a bonfire. The crowds and groups are loud and inconsiderate and there to party all day. This beach is dirty, the sand leaves your feet black, and it's a little scary later in the day. I will never attend this beach again and I do not recommend this beach for visitors and families. You are better off traveling a little further up the road and hitting up Redondo or Hermosa beach.
Written August 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time should I get to the beach on a satuday in May (cloudy day) for a bonfire pit? Was told 9am is Ok. Thanks!
Written May 16, 2024
Are there bicycle rental there or nearby?
Written June 25, 2019
I didn’t see one but I was there off season.
Written June 26, 2019
Is tent camping ok and how long can you stay at a time?
And can you have dogs and cats and if have RV is there a restriction on age??
Written March 29, 2018
I am not sure about tent camping. I know there are several fire pits that a lot of people use. I do not know about the cat dog situation.
Written March 31, 2018
I have a layover in LAX and I'm wondering if it's a good idea to visit this beach for a couple of hours?
Written November 3, 2017
Short distance can take a long time due to traffic. Check waze for travel time to beach from LAX during layover and you can judge accordingly.
Written November 4, 2017
Hola! Tenemos una espera de 4 horas en el aeropuerto de LA, sabrían decirme si es tiempo suficiente para ir hasta esta playa y en q me puedo movilizar. Gracias
Written June 19, 2017
Puedes ir a la playa, pero solo tendras poco tiempo ya que la seguridad para volver a entrar al aeropuerto es tardada (1-2hrs). Si tienes WIFI puedes bajar la aplicacion de Lyft o Uber y utilizar sus servicios para poder llegar a la playa. Asegurate de manejar bien to tiempo... no quieres que te deje el avion. Suerte.
Written July 27, 2017
Looking at camping there in a big fifth wheel . Is it a safe area, and is there bus service into LA?
Written December 31, 2016
It appears to be safe yes. I didn't see anything that made me feel like it wouldn't be
Written December 31, 2016
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