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California's coast is chock full of awesome beaches, but they're so clustered, it's easy to overlook the area's most hidden gems.

Most of the spots on this list are within a 45-minute drive of Los Angeles. And some of them are within walking distance.

This piece originally appeared on our guide to the best beaches in California.

Riviera Beach, Malibu

The Riviera Beach lies just north of the city, on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Rough surf and almost no beach chairs lead the locals to the less populated beach — on average, only 1,000 people per day go to the pool and bathhouse here, compared to 4,000 daily users on nearby South Bay beaches. The parking lot fills up fast, especially on hot weekends.

The beach itself is crystal clear, and the waves roll in predictably. The sand isn't very soft, so don't go barefoot. And though a few restaurants do a brisk business along Pacific Coast Highway, there's no beachside dining at the Riviera Beach.