At the other end of the 20-mile bike and pedestrian path from Will Rogers State Beach [1], you’ll find Redondo State Beach (400–1700 Esplanade, http://beaches.co.la.ca.us [2]). Sitting next to the Redondo Beach Pier, this sand stretch gets really crowded in the summertime, so if rubbing elbows with your fellow sun worshippers doesn’t work for you, Redondo isn’t your best bet.
On the other hand, the lack of surfers makes swimming a prime activity here, complete with lifeguards during the daytime. You’ll also find the usual volleyball and other beach games, the bike path (which is lit at night), and the restaurants of the pier.
The beach features restrooms and showers, and a large multilevel pay parking structure at the pier offers ample space to stow your car for the day.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/los-angeles-and-orange-county/sports-and-recreation/beaches/will-rogers-state-beach
[2] http://beaches.co.la.ca.us