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Dockweiler State Beach

The first thing you notice about Dockweiler State Beach is sand, sand and more sand. Dockweiler is bisected by the South Bay Bike Path and includes regular facilities like restrooms and showers although they can be quite spread out depending on where you set up for the day. Located on the west side of LAX, visitors to Dockweiler near Playa Del Rey will be subjected to airplanes taking off frequently but this only adds to the uniqueness of Los Angelesí longest and least-crowded beach.

Several main east-west Los Angeles streets lead to Dockweiler State Beach--Washington Blvd. on the north end, Culver Blvd. to Playa Del Rey, West Jefferson Blvd. by way of Culver Blvd., the 105 freeway to West Imperial Highway and Rosecrans Ave. to the southern end near Manhattan Beach.

A private company maintains a beachside RV park near the end of West Imperial Highway. Sorry, no tent camping here. There are spaces with hookups and some without.

Bicyclists can ride the South Bay Bike Path through Dockweiler and also catch the Ballona Creek Floodway bike path that will take you all the way to Culver City.

Just south of the Ballona Creek floodway is the Del Rey Lagoon Park--a small natural lagoon area surrounded by a nice public park with open grassy areas, ball fields, a children's play area and basketball courts. This park area lies at the end of Culver Blvd. before it turns into Vista Del Mar.

Dockweiler State Beach has plentiful free parking along Vista Del Mar and several large paved parking lots that require a fee. According to the State of California Parks website--Dockweiler is one of the few state beaches that do not accept the annual day use pass.

Dockweiler State Beach is an easy drive (or bike ride) from Marina Del Rey hotels and LAX hotels. Hotels near LAX offer discounted weekend rates since they are oriented towards business travelers. There is a hang gliding facility right in front of the water treatment plant. Fast food outlets are scarce so plan on bringing food and drinks although there is a small snack bar if you happen to be parked near it. Popular activities at Dockweiler State Beach include swimming, biking, volleyball, surfing, fishing and RV camping. Lifeguards are stationed during summer months with limited presence during the off-season.

No pets or alcohol on the beach. Fires in fire rings only.

Dockweiler RV park

Dockweiler hang gliding facility

South Bay bike trail

Aerial Images

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