Southern California is home to some of the most desirable beach communities in the United States. Whether you're looking for a walkable neighborhood, a quiet coastal retreat, or a vibrant beach town with nightlife and restaurants, Los Angeles and Orange County offer something for every renter.
At ZRently, we believe finding the right apartment should be transparent. That's why renters can search listings by credit score requirements, income requirements, co-signer policies, and pet policies before spending money on application fees.
If you're searching for the perfect beach apartment, here are some of the best places to rent in Southern California.
1. Long Beach
Long Beach offers one of the best combinations of affordability, walkability, and coastal living in Southern California.
Popular neighborhoods include:
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Belmont Shore
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Bluff Park
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Alamitos Beach
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Downtown Long Beach
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Bixby Knolls
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Naples Island
Long Beach is ideal for renters looking for:
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Beach access
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Diverse restaurants
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Nightlife
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Bike paths
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Large apartment inventory
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More affordable rents than many Westside Los Angeles neighborhoods
Many apartment communities also allow pets and offer flexible rental requirements.
2. Huntington Beach
Known as "Surf City USA," Huntington Beach is one of Orange County's most popular places to rent.
Residents enjoy:
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Wide sandy beaches
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Surfing
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Pacific City shopping
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Downtown nightlife
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Beach bike trail
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Excellent weather year-round
Renters can find everything from studio apartments to luxury communities within minutes of the ocean.
3. Newport Beach
Newport Beach offers luxury coastal living with world-famous beaches and upscale shopping.
Popular areas include:
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Balboa Peninsula
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Corona del Mar
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Newport Heights
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West Newport
Expect:
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Luxury apartments
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Waterfront homes
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Excellent dining
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Boating
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Shopping at Fashion Island
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Beautiful marinas
Newport Beach is one of Southern California's most desirable rental markets.
4. Redondo Beach
Located in the South Bay, Redondo Beach combines beach living with a relaxed community atmosphere.
Highlights include:
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Redondo Beach Pier
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King Harbor Marina
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Walking and biking paths
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Excellent schools
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Family-friendly neighborhoods
Many renters choose Redondo Beach for its balance of coastal lifestyle and access to major employment centers.
5. Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach is famous for its active lifestyle.
Perfect for renters who enjoy:
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Volleyball
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Surfing
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Walking everywhere
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Nightlife
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Local restaurants
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Beach events
Apartments are highly competitive due to limited inventory.
6. Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach consistently ranks among California's most desirable places to live.
Residents enjoy:
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Beautiful beaches
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Boutique shopping
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Excellent restaurants
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Top-rated schools
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Walkable neighborhoods
Rental prices are among the highest in Southern California, but demand remains extremely strong.
7. Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey offers waterfront apartment living unlike anywhere else in Los Angeles.
Features include:
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Luxury apartment communities
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Marina views
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Walking paths
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Boat slips
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Close proximity to Venice, Playa Vista, and Santa Monica
Many newer communities feature resort-style amenities.
8. Venice Beach
Venice remains one of Los Angeles' most iconic beach communities.
Renters enjoy:
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Venice Boardwalk
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Abbot Kinney Boulevard
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Beach access
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Coffee shops
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Entertainment
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Creative community
Housing options range from classic beach apartments to modern luxury buildings.
9. Santa Monica
Santa Monica combines beach living with an urban lifestyle.
Highlights include:
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Santa Monica Pier
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Third Street Promenade
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Excellent restaurants
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Metro access
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Ocean views
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Walkability
It remains one of the strongest rental markets in California.
10. Seal Beach
Seal Beach offers a quieter alternative to many larger beach cities.
Residents appreciate:
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Small-town atmosphere
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Historic Main Street
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Easy beach access
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Friendly community
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Convenient access to Orange County and Long Beach
It's an excellent choice for renters seeking a more relaxed lifestyle.
How to Find the Right Beach Apartment
Every property management company has different rental requirements.
Some require:
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700+ credit
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3x monthly income
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No co-signers
Others may accept:
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550+ credit
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2.5x income
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Co-signers
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Pets
Understanding these requirements before applying can save renters hundreds of dollars in application fees.
Search Smarter with ZRently
ZRently helps renters search Southern California apartments using the information that actually matters.
With ZRently you can search by:
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Credit score requirements
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Income requirements
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Co-signer policies
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Pet policies
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Apartment size
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Neighborhood
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City
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Verified rental listings
Instead of applying blindly, renters can quickly identify apartments they may qualify for before submitting an application.
Whether you're searching in Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marina del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica, or Seal Beach, ZRently helps make apartment hunting faster, more transparent, and less expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable beach city to rent in Southern California?
Long Beach and parts of Huntington Beach generally offer more affordable rental options than Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, or Newport Beach, although prices vary by neighborhood and property.
Which beach city has the best nightlife?
Popular choices include Long Beach, Venice Beach, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, and Santa Monica.
Which beach city is best for families?
Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Seal Beach are often popular with families due to their neighborhoods, parks, and community amenities.
Can I find apartments near the beach with a 600 credit score?
Yes. Some Southern California property managers accept applicants with credit scores around 600, while others have higher or lower requirements. Always review each property's rental criteria before applying.
Can I search beach apartments by rental requirements?
Yes. ZRently allows renters to search apartments by credit score requirements, income requirements, co-signer policies, pet policies, and more, helping reduce unnecessary application fees.
Start Your Beach Apartment Search
Whether your dream is watching the sunset in Santa Monica, surfing in Huntington Beach, enjoying the marina in Newport Beach, or walking to dinner in Belmont Shore, Southern California offers incredible beach communities for every lifestyle.
Browse verified Southern California rentals on ZRently and find apartments that match your qualifications before you apply.