Escape the city heat with these coastal California vacation home rentals – all a quick drive from Los Angeles. Whether you’re looking for a weekend trip or a longer stay, leave the hustle and bustle behind and chill with the sights and sounds of the beach.
Below, some of our favorite seaside homes in partnership with Plum Guide, whose super-curated collection of rentals only selects the most remarkable of homes.
*Disclosure: Escape LA independently reviews and curates everything we recommend. When you book through our links, we may earn a commission. All views and recommendations are our own.
Enjoy elevated views from this one-bedroom and two-bathroom coastal California vacation home on Moonlight State Beach. A staircase leads down the rocky cliffs to a secluded stretch of beach, or enjoy the view from the private patio above. Open-beamed ceilings and comfy yet modern furnishings create a relaxing atmosphere to take in the sunrise or stargazing through the huge picture windows.
Bonus: A cozy bar nook is the perfect place to sip a cocktail while admiring the spectacular sunset view. ~$1,200/night.
A quick drive from LA lands you at this four-bedroom and three-bathroom glamorous waterfront home on the Pacific Coast Highway. Endless ocean views coupled with stairs that lead down to the beach make for a classic Malibu stay. Slip into the hot tub, enjoy a rooftop morning coffee, or gather around the table in the atrium for meals or games.
Bonus: This rental is only a ten-minute drive from Santa Monica pier for an easy city escape. ~$2,700/night.
Located on Catalina Island, this one-bedroom and one-bathroom California vacation home offers palm-fringed views of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the views from one of two private terraces or soak in some sun from the pool or nearby white sand beach. For those looking for some more strenuous activities, there are on-site golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and gym facilities.
Bonus: This rental comes with its own golf cart so you can zip around the island like a local. ~$1,300/night.
This small but mighty California vacation home is one block from Laguna Beach. Suitable for solo travelers or a couple in the cozy one-bedroom and one-bathroom unit, you have much that the community has to offer at your doorstep with surf spots, dining, and shopping all within walking distance. Slip into the well-appointed onsite pool, take a beachside walk, or have a sunset cocktail at the communal rooftop terrace.
Bonus: The private patio is the perfect spot for your morning coffee or evening nightcap. ~$340/night.
Find solitude at this four-bedroom and two-bathroom coastal California home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Malibu. Ocean views coupled with lush gardens offer a peaceful retreat while only being a three-minute walk from Yerba Buena Beach. This coastal California home has plenty of space for entertaining including a games room (fun for kids and adults alike) and multiple outdoor patios for perfecting your BBQ game.
Bonus: If you spend some time in the garden you may spot some resident parrots. ~$2,600/night.
Lounge around and relax at this three-bedroom and two-bathroom California vacation home that is only 50 yards from Padaro Beach. Bright natural light dominates the spaces and well-appointed indoor and outdoor spaces set the scene for a relaxing stay. Perfect for a group or family as there are plenty of nooks and outdoor spaces to explore in this Santa Barbara County getaway.
Bonus: Beach essentials are on the property for guests’ use. ~$2,400/night.
This coastal California rental boasts a main house and a casita that can host up to eight guests in four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Enjoy dining al fresco on the outdoor patio, complete with BBQ, set amongst a mature tropical garden. The beach is a few minutes walk away, as are many boutiques, restaurants, and bars for exploring the neighborhood.
Bonus: Practice your chef skills in the beautiful gourmet kitchen. ~$950/night.
This California vacation home houses up to 10 in five-bedroom and three-bathrooms. Made up of two adjoining homes on the Pacific Coast Highway, take in the views from the expansive decks overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Head down to the beach and relax in the hammock or play in the waves and when it’s time to refuel, hone your BBQ skills up on the deck or head to Malibu staple kitsch seafood diner Neptune’s Net (within walking distance).
Bonus: This rental offers easy access to hiking trails in the nearby Santa Leo Carillo State Park. ~$4,500/night.
This California vacation home sits on an acre of pristine gardens and grants access to the nearby private Hope Ranch Beach. If lounging poolside is more your vibe, dive into the onsite pool for a refreshing dip. Other ways to soak up the sunshine on the property could include playing a match of tennis at the on-site court (or trying a less strenuous game of outdoor table tennis) or wandering the palm-lined gardens to bird watch.
Bonus: Take a soak in the bubbling Jacuzzi tub in the primary’s en-suite bathroom. Of note: minimum 28-day stay, ~$1,200/night.
This coastal California rental boasts a stunning location on the shores of Big Rock Beach in coveted Malibu. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms can sleep up to six to the sounds of the ocean right outside your door. Explore the beach (beach essentials included at the home), enjoy the views from the two balconies on offer, or take a soak in the freestanding bathtub for ultimate relaxation.
Bonus: Take advantage of this rental’s beautiful kitchen and dine alfresco on the balcony. ~$2,200/night.
This coastal California vacation home in the More Mesa Shores neighborhood of Santa Barbara sleeps up to 13 in its five-bedroom and three-bathroom configuration. Access to the private beach less than a block away is granted with renting this home, and you can easily spend a day or two exploring the trails and views in the nearby 265 acres at the More Mesa Open Space. The home offers a tranquil respite with modern wooden finishings, Morrocan rugs, and beautifully tended house plants.
Bonus: The outdoor terrace’s dining table can seat up to 12! Perfect for families or group travel. ~$1,800/night.
