Whether you're a local who visits the beach daily, or someone visiting Hermosa for the first time, read up on what you need to know to have a safe and fun-filled day in Hermosa Beach.

Healthy Air Hermosa

The City of Hermosa Beach has been working with the community to create smoke-free public spaces through our Healthy Air Hermosa campaign. This means smoking - including vaping, cigars, and marijuana - are prohibited on the Beach, Pier, Pier Plaza, the Strand, and all parks and public spaces in Hermosa Beach. 

Read the City's complete regulations on smoking in Hermosa Beach.

The Beach

Hermosa Beach has approximately two miles of sand shoreline and an average summer weekend can bring more than 100,000 people down to the beach. To ensure the safety of everyone at the beach, it is important for beachgoers to follow any reasonable command, order, instruction or direction of any lifeguard or police officer and observe the following beach rules: 

• Beach Restrooms - Restrooms can be found adjacent to 2nd Street, the Pier, 14th Street, and 22nd Street. Beach restrooms are open until 10 pm.  Restrooms adjacent to the pier close at 10 pm daily. 
• Dogs on the Beach - Leashed and unleashed dogs, cats, and all other pets, are prohibited on the beach at all times, with exceptions for service animals. On the Strand, pets are allowed, but must remain on a leash at all times and owners are responsible for picking up after their pet. 
• Fireworks - Fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, firecrackers, and torpedos may not be transported, used, or discharged on the beach (or anywhere in Hermosa Beach).
• Special Events - The City hosts a number and variety of permitted special events throughout the year on the beach. Permitted events on the beach are limited to between 10th Street and 15th Street adjacent to commercial areas. All permitted events are open to the public/free to spectate. Check the Calendar of Events to see what's happening in Hermosa Beach. 
• Pack Your Trash - To keep our beaches beautiful and clean, we all need to be good stewards of our beach. It's simple, if you're at the beach, throw away everything you bring and consider spending a few minutes picking up trash around you or participating in a beach cleanup. Remember to leave only footprints.
• Consumption of Alcohol or Smoking - It is unlawful for any person to consume or drink any alcoholic beverage while on any part of the municipal pier or beach. Smoking - including vaping, cigars, and marijuana - are also prohibited on the Beach, Pier, Pier Plaza, the Strand, and all parks and public spaces in Hermosa Beach.
• Fitness Classes on the Beach - The City does not allow private instruction of any kind on the beach unless it is in conjunction with approved Contract Class through the City. Approval and class arrangements can be made through the Community Resources Department, located at 710 Pier Avenue. Those holding unauthorized classes can be asked to leave the area by the Hermosa Beach Police Department and possibly cited.
• Volleyball + Beach Tennis Courts - There are currently 71 approved beach volleyball courts and six beach tennis courts in Hermosa Beach. The 23 courts located near the Pier are maintained by the City and are the courts permitted for use in conjunction with approved special events. 

Read the City's complete Beach and Strand Regulations. 

The Pier 

The Hermosa Beach Pier, extends 1,140 feet from the Strand toward the Pacific Ocean. The current Hermosa Beach Pier structure was built in 1965 and renovated in the early 2000s.  To ensure the Pier remains a safe enjoyable place for all, there are a number of activities that are not allowed on the Pier. Additionally, while fishing is allowed on the Pier, California Fish and Wildlife rules must be observed.

• Pier Hours + Closures - The Hermosa Beach Pier is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Weather or other conditions may warrant temporary closure of the Pier and visitors must follow the direction of Lifeguards or other City Officials to vacate the Pier. 
• Dogs Prohibited On or Off-Leash - It is unlawful for the owner, or any other person having custody of, any dog, cat or other animal to permit the same to be on the Pier, whether said animal is on leash or not. 
• Consumption of Alcohol or Smoking - It is unlawful for any person to consume or drink any alcoholic beverage while on any part of the municipal Pier or beach. Smoking, including vaping, cigars, and marijuana are also prohibited on the Beach, Pier, Pier Plaza, the Strand, and all parks and public spaces in Hermosa Beach.
• Skates, Skateboards, Bicycles and Scooters Prohibited - It is unlawful to ride and/or park any skates, skateboard, bicycle, scooter or similar conveyance on the Pier. Equipment must be walked and may not be locked or left on the Pier.
• Diving or Jumping from Pier - It is unlawful for any person or persons to either dive or jump from the Pier or to push, shove or cause any person to fall, dive or jump from the pier; or to climb or be on the outside of the railing of the pier except members of the lifeguard service of a governmental agency.
• Swimming or Surfing near Pier - Oceangoers, whether swimming or surfing, are advised to keep a distance of at least 100 feet from the Pier and are restricted from swimming or surfing through the Pier pilings. 
• Fishing on the Pier - While fishing is allowed on the Pier, and California Fish and Wildlife Rules must be observed. Additionally, overhead casting and throwing of bait or litter on the Pier are prohibited activities. If you see activities that you believe are in violation of the California Fish and Wildlife regulations, you are encouraged to call the Cal Tip Hotline at: 888-334-2258. 

Read the City's complete regulations for the Hermosa Beach Pier. 

The Strand + Pier Plaza

The Strand is a place to stroll not a speedway. Pier Plaza is additionally a community gathering space where people of all ages can enjoy the scenery, visit the businesses, and attend a community event. Help us in keeping the Strand and Pier Plaza safe and enjoyable for everyone by observing the following:

• Speed Limit - It shall be deemed reckless and dangerous if any person rides or operates any wheeled vehicle or device permitted on the Strand walkway, including bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and roller skates, in excess of eight (8) miles per hour, at an unsafe speed under existing conditions, or operates such vehicle or device permitted on the Strand walkway in such a reckless, wanton or careless manner as to constitute unsafe riding or operating.
• Walk Zones - The area of the Strand between 11th Street and 14th Street has been designated as a walk zone in which bicycling, skateboarding, or scootering is prohibited when the lights are flashing. The area may be marked with flashing lights, signage, and barricades and it is unlawful to ride a bicycle, scooter, or skateboard through the area when the designated walk zone is in effect.
• Electric and Motorized Devices - No electric or motorized bicycle, moped, electric scooter, electric skateboard, or motorized vehicle (as defined in Section 10.04.010) of any kind other than those used for the purpose of protecting life or property shall be ridden, pedaled, walked, carried onto or otherwise enter any portion of the Strand walkway, Pier Plaza, or beach at any time when the motorized- or electric-propelled power is in use.
• Yield Right-of-Way to Pedestrians - Under all circumstances, the rider or operator of a wheeled vehicle or device, including bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and roller skates, on the Strand walkway shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, and due and proper care shall at all times be exercised by the rider or operator for the pedestrians.
• Trick Riding - It is unlawful for any person riding or operating any wheeled vehicle or device to race any other such vehicle or device or person along the Strand walkway, or to indulge in any kind of trick or unsafe riding or operating. When more than two (2) persons in a group are riding or operating wheeled vehicles or devices, including bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and roller skates, on the Strand walkway, no more than two (2) shall ride side by side. 
• Standing Equipment - No person operating any wheeled vehicle or device on the Strand walkway shall park said vehicle or device in front of any entrance to the public beach or to public or private property, or in any way hinder, delay or obstruct the movement of pedestrians or emergency vehicles or other wheeled vehicles or devices upon the surface of said walkway.

Read the City's complete regulations regarding the Strand and Pier Plaza. 

Filming in Hermosa Beach

The City of Hermosa Beach welcomes businesses and individuals that wish to engage in commercial filming, videotaping or still photography. Film permits are required for all commercial filming activity on public or private property within City boundaries. Students enrolled in community college, university or trade schools filming for non-commercial and educational purposes, may be exempt from some fees but are still required to obtain permits. 

Read the City's Filming Guidelines and Regulations and contact us if you're interested in featuring Hermosa Beach in your next film production.