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California State Parks

Santa Monica State Beach

Beach, State or Provincial Park, and Surf Spot
Downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica
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9.4/10
3,974
ratings
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    Lady Steinberg
    "Beautiful beach, fun boardwalk with food, shops and vendors."(9 Tips)
    Mat C.
    "Really cool place, amazing beach, lovely weather and great views"(20 Tips)
    Miles N.
    "Sunset watching, people watching 👍🏼"(5 Tips)
    Jennifer H.
    "Rent a bike and cycle all the way to Manhattan Beach."(12 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon252 Tips and reviews
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  • Kelley L.heart icon on user image
    Kelley L.September 2, 2016
    Quintessential Southern California. The bike path runs to Venice, and the scenery is beautiful. Close to shopping centers and good restaurants. Pier is very pretty at night too.
  • Delene 하.
    Delene 하늘July 29, 2013
    Santa Monica state beach is just beautiful! its best when you go with the crowds! and i like to ride one of those roller coaster near there haha its nice and i like the views and areas around too!^^
  • Emma G.
    Emma GooOctober 22, 2011
    People watch; bring a sketchbook or camera. Feel the sand beneath yer feet. Enjoy the immensity of the sea. Stop by a divey hole in the wall; beer it up. Churro. Rent a cruiser. Ferris wheel it. Relax
  • Lilith F.heart icon on user image
    Lilith FuryDecember 26, 2016
    It's a beautiful beach, & the boardwalk is fun. You have the promenade 3 blocks away. Theres concerts during the summer. It's all around great. Its crowded, but so what? its a beach. deal with it.
  • Nmheart icon on user image
    NmMay 5, 2020
    Joyful, Peaceful & Charming .. Full of attractions & activities .. Don’t miss the entertaining Santa Monica Pier & the beautiful Palisades Park along with the view of the Pacific Ocean !!
  • Paul T.heart icon on user image
    Paul T.August 13, 2016
    An iconic landmark in SoCal. The water is clean and sand very soft. With the amusement park on the pier, it doesn't get much more picturesque.
  • Healthy M.
    Healthy McFitMarch 8, 2014
    Park your car, take your shirt off, walk down to the sand, throw a towel down, lay down and then smile. If you do it in this exact order, I promise you will be satisfied.
  • Dr Michael L.heart icon on user image
    Dr Michael LangeJuly 20, 2018
    I am spoiled with emerald clear Gulf of Mexico and Florida powder white sandy beaches. Santa Monica has the nice board walk so great for exercising but water and beach still can't compare to Florida.
  • PureWow
    PureWowDecember 20, 2016
    Sure, it’s crowded, noisy, and that pier is a bit much for anyone who’s hit puberty. But if you discover anything more romantic than the image of its lighted Ferris wheel in the distance, let us know. Read more
  • Erik R.heart icon on user image
    Erik RowleyJanuary 25, 2017
    Relax and take in the sites, beautiful at sunset with the waves and the lights from the pier. Grab lunch at one of the many amazing food trucks that line up here!
  • Matthew F.heart icon on user image
    Matthew FoxMay 5, 2015
    Though in LA from anywhere in the wonderful sunsets here are beautiful in their own way! It is worth a ride on the Ferris wheel and roller coaster! 🇺🇸
  • Kat .heart icon on user image
    Kat 🐱October 3, 2016
    Remember to bring your own court lines for beach volleyball! Also, no parking after sunset or you'll get a ticket.
  • John L.
    John Legend ✯October 15, 2012
    It's one of the best places to have your weekend spent on. You'll never regret it. Especially watching the sunset in the shore while your feet is on the beach catching waves. Paradise.
  • Katherine C.heart icon on user image
    Katherine ColesFebruary 21, 2016
    Beautiful scenery and very relaxing. Easy walk to Third Street and many options for parking. Generally very clean. Toilets available at certain points.
  • Mohammad F.
    Mohammad FetyaniAugust 11, 2015
    Santa monica is the best place to stay in LA , the beach is clean and the pier have many options to the kids to play or eat , and the views is fantastic
  • Ayman S.heart icon on user image
    Ayman SirajMarch 13, 2016
    Get there early to find parking! Take a volleyball with you as there are many courts to play. Frisbee or football highly recommended.
  • Lillian S.heart icon on user image
    Lillian SwordDecember 19, 2014
    We went to several beaches during our trip to California. The width of the beaches was the thing that impressed me most. It's a LONG walk from the beginning of the sand to the ocean.
  • Craig T.
    Craig TheroffSeptember 22, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    I park at temescal canyon and rollar blade to the Venice pier at Washington and back everyday . Google says 7.2 miles each way but I call it an even 15 miles both ways for a job well done...
  • المهره الصعبه ماهي لأي خيال
    Lovely beach by the pier. Good time for all 👍🏻
  • Vanessa C.heart icon on user image
    Vanessa CardonaSeptember 18, 2015
    The lovley walk you have on the pier and amazing art and street performances. Pacific Park is super fun for the whole family.
  • Irinaheart icon on user image
    IrinaAugust 15, 2014
    A walk from the 3rd St. Promenade down Ocean Ave. to the beach is a pleasant scenic alternative to the crowding of the beachside parking.
  • valoli 🦊
    valoli 🦊July 1, 2016
    Love this place... it´s a must... the typical place u expected to see in LA. And all the people is very easy going here
  • Degree Men
    Degree MenJune 27, 2012
    This is a beach shared by locals and tourists where comfortable small rollers can be found. Good place for beginners, just make sure to avoid getting in the way of others.
  • Josef S.heart icon on user image
    Josef SzottenDecember 2, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    During tourist season it gets pretty crowded but it's still a gorgeous beach. The pier is best enjoyed from afar as part of the view. Not very nice to actually go to.
  • C B.heart icon on user image
    C BaileyOctober 18, 2016
    A little quieter the further north you go. Rent a bike from Venice and ride up and return up there and hang.
  • Katherine C.heart icon on user image
    Katherine ColesFebruary 21, 2016
    Beautiful scenery, generally very clean, toilets and an easy walk from parking near Third Street or off the PCH.
  • DubstepFitness.com
    DubstepFitness.comOctober 30, 2011
    Walk to Venice from here and walk back. You'll have a awesome time just people watching and enjoying the beach view. Smile and say hi to everyone and the merchants will give you a discount
  • Connie C.heart icon on user image
    Connie ChiuJanuary 11, 2016
    🔥🔥🔥 near the pier, restaurants, and promenade shops. Park in the structure attached to the outdoor mall, 90 mins free.
  • Martina B.heart icon on user image
    Martina BrusatoreNovember 3, 2018
    Best place where to stay in la..beautiful easygoing no posh people and safe..plenty place for shopping and dining
  • Jennifer H.heart icon on user image
    Jennifer HaackSeptember 8, 2017
    Love it. Rent a bike and cycle all the way to Manhattan Beach. Great day spent in LA.
  • Djoni S.heart icon on user image
    Djoni SutjiJanuary 4, 2017
    Very nice beaches and very crowded 👍🏻
  • Bobbi-Lea D.
    Bobbi-Lea DionysiusOctober 11, 2013
    Lava Flow cocktail is THE best drink Eva!!! Tastes like an iceberg spider float but with alcohol. :)))
  • SHOSHheart icon on user image
    SHOSHJuly 5, 2019
    Good vibes
  • Joshua V.heart icon on user image
    Joshua Van DykFebruary 20, 2016
    Joshua Van Dyk thinks that Santa Monica Beach is where stunning meets iconic! This is a must see if you are visiting LA.
  • redcherries22
    redcherries22June 28, 2023
    Lots of trash and homeless people, at least the route we took, but once on the beach, it's decent 👍🏼
  • Moe S.heart icon on user image
    Moe ShehataFebruary 28, 2016
    One of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been too. Night life there is awesome as well.
  • Senator F.heart icon on user image
    Senator FeldmanApril 6, 2019
    Been here 25+ times
    It goes on for miles and miles with a great beach bike / roller blade path.
  • Katrina
    KatrinaJanuary 27, 2015
    I love taking visiting guests here. Huge beach then walk to the pier. Totally LA experience!
  • Jay H.heart icon on user image
    Jay HartwigOctober 20, 2015
    Not the cleanest beach ever, but it's right next to the pier and usually great weather.
  • Forrestheart icon on user image
    ForrestFebruary 27, 2016
    If you're just visiting for the boardwalk there is 2 hour parking available in a self pay lot close to the pier.
  • Lee C.
    Lee CroucherSeptember 15, 2014
    Amazing beach, amazing pier, amazing sunsets - get to the pier for 19:30 for sunsets
  • Aheart icon on user image
    ANovember 23, 2018
    Super fun, laid back atmosphere. Very different than Venice. Go enjoy and relax.
  • gizem i.
    gizem istanbulDecember 22, 2014
    super crowded at night, was smelly when I was there but not sure if that's a persisent thing, the ocean is super relaxing. Sit on the beaches at night.
  • Sam M.
    Sam MoellerMay 17, 2016
    This is so awesome beach of the world.It is so beautiful and i go to the my family and enjoy this beauty of beach.
  • Cristinaheart icon on user image
    CristinaJune 29, 2016
    I loved Santa Monica. Theres a lot of space sand so the beach never looks full of poeple.
  • Magnus J.heart icon on user image
    Magnus JernFebruary 7, 2015
    Wide, white beautiful beaches but only has a few good cafes and restaurants by the beach. Rent a bicycle to get around!
  • Trails.com
    Trails.comJanuary 28, 2011
    The Santa Monica Beach Bike Path extends from Will Rogers State Beach, at its northern terminus, south through Venice and Marina Del Rey to the bridge that crosses Ballona Creek. Read more
  • Metin A.heart icon on user image
    Metin ArslanFebruary 6, 2015
    One of the best place that i saw for a summer time. People must see in a lifetime.
  • Lou O.heart icon on user image
    Lou OrtJuly 28, 2015
    The Sunsets Are Always Awsome! The Majestic Of The Pier @ Night Is Always A Joy !
  • Lisa U.heart icon on user image
    Lisa UlloaMarch 9, 2015
    Love this beach but will never go back on Valentine's Day if it lands on a weekend again! Super packed not good!!!
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