Los Angeles is known for its warm, sunny weather and picturesque beaches. While there are certainly a lot of places to ride a jet ski in Los Angeles, it is important to know where jet skis are allowed, as well as the spots that will be worth your while.
In today’s article, I have put together a list of the best places to jet ski in Los Angeles, California. All of these places are very accessible and offer great rides and sight seeing.
Best Places to Jet Ski in Los Angeles
The 4 best places to jet ski in Los Angeles are Long Beach, Dockweiler State Beach, Venice Beach, and Cabrillo Beach.
Jet Skiing in Long Beach
As the names suggest, Long Beach features a long coastline of over 8 miles, and is a great place to jet ski. There are lots of marinas where you can put your jet ski in, and there are also a couple place you can rent a jet ski.
Long Beach is great because you and ride under some bridges and explore cool landmarks like the Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse. You can also ride near the infamous RMS Queen Mary, a stationed boat that now serves as a hotel and museum.
Due to a break water they constructed a while ago, the water is very calm and there are very little waves. This makes it a great spot to cruise and is very manageable for people with little experience jet skiing.
The only downside of jetskiing in Long Beach is that it can get pretty crowded on the water. Make sure to keep an eye out for other jet skis and big boats, since it is a big port.
Dockweiler State Beach
If you’re looking for one of the best places to jet ski in Los Angeles, look no further than Dockweiler State Beach. It is located just south of Venice Beach.
Dockweiler offers plenty of room to ride your jet ski (almost 4 miles of shoreline), and there’s never a shortage of waves to play in. Plus, the scenery is simply beautiful, making it the perfect place to spend a day outdoors.
This beach is also located on the direct flight path of planes coming from and into LAX airport. Its pretty neat riding a jet ski while watching planes fly right above you.
Dockweiler is also a great place to hang out on the beach after you take out the jet ski. It is a popular place for picnics and barbecues, and is one of the few areas where you can have a bonfire.
While the water isn’t as crowded as Long Beach, you should keep an eye out for hang gliders, which frequently fly over the area.
Jet Ski at Venice Beach
With almost 3 miles of coastline, Venice is one of the most popular beaches in LA. It is a very fun place to jet ski, and is close to a bunch of canals that you can also explore.
Jet skiing here will offer great views of the infamous Venice Beach promenade, rolling hills, and views of the Santa Monica Pier. If you decide to jet ski in Venice Beach, I suggest you put in at Marina del ray. There are also some rental spots here if you don’t have your own jet ski.
The biggest downside of Venice Beach is that it is very crowded. Therefore, you should watch out for other boats and watercraft, as there can be quite a bit of traffic on these waters. Additionally, some parts of Venice Beach have some wave breaks, so it might be difficult for a beginner to get past the wave break.
Cabrillo Beach
Finally, if you’re looking for a place to take the kids, head to Cabrillo Beach. This beach is perfect for beginners, as the waters are relatively calm and there’s plenty of room to explore. Plus, the views of the Santa Monica Bay and Cabrillo Pier are simply stunning, making it a great place to spend an afternoon.
Cabrillo Beach is very easy to access, as there is a boat ramp you can drop your jet ski in. The boat ramp is open from 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM, and there is car and trailer parking, boat wash stations, and bathrooms. Parking at the boat ramp costs $2 per hour, or $15 for the day.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can also jet ski from Cabrillo Beach to Catalina Island. Just make sure you bring enough gas!
If you are looking to ride your jet ski in freshwater, you should check out my article on Lake Elsinore jet ski rentals.
Conclusion
I hope these recommendations give you a good starting point if you are wondering where to jet ski in Los Angeles. While there are certainly other spots worth checking out, the spots on this list offer the best views and are all easily accessible.