In California, the public beaches are free. It’s the parking spaces that will cost you.
The public lots at the beach charge either an hourly rate (in Orange County) or a flat fee for a block of time (in Los Angeles County). Then there are public and commercial lots and on-street parking farther from the waves, which, depending on how many wagon-loads of kids and gear you’re schlepping, may not be a viable option.
While you may find plenty of ways to save money on parking, especially if you’re willing to walk a bit, the fees charged at the public beach lots are used to support the communities that beachgoers visit.
In Los Angeles County, parking revenue helps to cover the cost of maintaining roughly 23 miles of the county coast, said Nicole Mooradian, spokesperson for the county’s Department of Beaches and Harbors.
In Redondo Beach, meter revenue goes toward the city’s general fund and supports operational expenses for parks, public works and public safety, including the local police and fire departments.