26-Mile Bike Path
26-Mile Bike Path
4.5
About
Starting at the Santa Monica pier, this is a popular path for biking, jogging and in-line skating along the Pacific Ocean.
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Neighborhood: Ocean Park
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966 within 3 miles
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306 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,482 reviews
Excellent
1,105
Very good
328
Average
34
Poor
10
Terrible
5
Traveler2504
Los Angeles, CA216 contributions
Aug 2019
This is an excellent path for cyclists. If you are looking to keep a decent pace you will need to be on the trail early. By late morning a lot of people who can’t read the words, “bikes only” start to wander the path. Can get very busy around SM Pier and Venice. Cafe at the north end (Will Rogers State Beach) is not always open but there a many places to stop along the way. The transition onto Washington Blvd is a but painful especially if you have kids with you so I suggest cutting through Venice side streets instead. The south end of the oath is much quieter.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elizabethlascheid
Los Angeles, CA5,249 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
You could pretty much start anywhere on the bike path and have a great time. Some say it starts in Santa Monica while others will tell you to start in Venice. It makes absolutely no difference where you start. It is 26 miles long and all of it is pretty and over 90% of it has a straight view of the Pacific Ocean. It can get quite crowded and note walkers and skateboarders are not allowed on the bike path, but sometimes they don't know any better so watch out for them.
Check online to make sure they are open. The path was open last week. Because of Covid and when it gets too crowded and people are not social distancing they can shut it down. Wear a mask and stay at least six feet from people not in your party. In other words, don't possibly make anyone else sick. It is such a pretty path, it is smooth and safe, not that I would go in the middle of the night, but in the evening it is beautiful. The very early mornings are stunning.
There are plenty of places for you to get off the path and get onto a street do you have lunch or snack or just to take a break. You can take the path all the way to
Manhattan Beach and back. Have the best time. If you get lost or confused the locals are great and will help you.
Check online to make sure they are open. The path was open last week. Because of Covid and when it gets too crowded and people are not social distancing they can shut it down. Wear a mask and stay at least six feet from people not in your party. In other words, don't possibly make anyone else sick. It is such a pretty path, it is smooth and safe, not that I would go in the middle of the night, but in the evening it is beautiful. The very early mornings are stunning.
There are plenty of places for you to get off the path and get onto a street do you have lunch or snack or just to take a break. You can take the path all the way to
Manhattan Beach and back. Have the best time. If you get lost or confused the locals are great and will help you.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug P
10 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
This is a “must-do” experience when visiting SoCal! Where else can you ride for miles and miles next to beautiful sandy beaches and the ocean without having to worry about car traffic? The piers at various beaches along the way were perfect stopping points, and Hermosa Beach had great restaurants and shops towards the end of the path to check out. When you get to the southern end at Torrance Beach, challenge yourself by riding up the steep ramp to a parking lot that provides a spectacular view of the coastline you just rode along . Five stars!
Written December 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shhh Ject Labroddi
4 contributions
Jan 2021
apparently communicating with criminals from the entry point and identifying tourists for snags and thistle
If people xcross your path intentionally make sure you have a really bright flash light to flash them in the face as a defense mechanism in attempt to have these stalkers wade off. Some have pets that are very aggressive dogs are used as a tool of intimidation so bring spray , small caliber weapons , rubber bullets to protect you and your family after hours. as some attempt to get close for thievery and harassment
other than that . The people out here to Skate Bike and Stroll etc are very polite and respectable
If people xcross your path intentionally make sure you have a really bright flash light to flash them in the face as a defense mechanism in attempt to have these stalkers wade off. Some have pets that are very aggressive dogs are used as a tool of intimidation so bring spray , small caliber weapons , rubber bullets to protect you and your family after hours. as some attempt to get close for thievery and harassment
other than that . The people out here to Skate Bike and Stroll etc are very polite and respectable
Written January 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ralph a
Puerto Rico3 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
We rented scooters to cruise along the bike path, and they were surprisingly affordable. We even made it all the way to Venice Beach! Along the way, we shopped, grabbed a bite to eat, and had a blast.
Written January 12, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom H
Kingston, Canada816 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Get a bike and explore. Go north from Santa Monica Bay and it’s less busy for miles along the beach.
There’s a hard surface bike path and parallel walking/running path for most of the distance.
Go south of the pier and visit Venice Beach. It gets busier so this is not really a high performance bike path, but more of a scenic ride to explore Santa Monica Bay.
Lots to see and do.
There’s another less busy pier near Venice Beach.
There’s a hard surface bike path and parallel walking/running path for most of the distance.
Go south of the pier and visit Venice Beach. It gets busier so this is not really a high performance bike path, but more of a scenic ride to explore Santa Monica Bay.
Lots to see and do.
There’s another less busy pier near Venice Beach.
Written November 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CalifSue
california384 contributions
Feb 2021
We have been on this bike path the whole 26 miles over the last few months from Torrance all the way to Will Rodgers State Beach. The Whole path is great, but the Santa Monica portion is a favorite with a wide bike path and a separate wide walk area. Each area is unique and along the beach is a great way to get fresh air during Covid.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy
Davis, CA96 contributions
Oct 2022
This is a must-do if you remember how to ride a bicycle. Didn't bring a bicycle on your trip? Rent one! There are several places along this bicycle highway to rent a two-wheeler for a few hours. Get all the sights, sounds, and smells easily and stop for some great photo ops with palm trees or lifeguard towers in the background.
Written November 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
886tinal
Seattle, WA252 contributions
May 2022
I was so happily surprised at how clean and well maintained the path is. We were walking, not riding, and there is plenty of room for all. No garbage, no dog poop, safe...I don't know who maintains this - city, county?? But kudos to you! What a great place to walk, enjoy the beach.
Written May 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith J
Gaborone100 contributions
Sep 2022
Hired a bicycle in Santa Monica and headed south along the cycle path. Passed by Venice Beach, Marina del Rey, under the LAX flight path and as far as Hermosa Beach. Could have gone further. Nice ride, flat, good surface, a bit crowded in places. Great views. Take sunscreen and water
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We used Jump electric pedal assist bikes. The pedal assist worked great around the city but not on the ocean front bike path. Is the pedal assist deactivated by sensor on the ocean bike path?
Written July 13, 2019
Motorized bikes are not allowed on the beach bike-running-walking paths.
Written July 13, 2019
Can anyone recommend a shop that we can rent bicycles to take from Playa Del Rey to Santa Monica? We'd be dropping the bikes off in Santa Monica. I thought this would be a cool way to get to Santa Monica instead of just taking an Uber.
Written March 30, 2019
Not sure there is such a shop. Have never seen a vehicle hauling bikes or anything like it
Written April 29, 2019
How far is Venice beach from Santa Monica pier
Written February 16, 2019
About 2 mi or 15min to the Venice Pier about 3 miles to the Marina Del Rey jetty which is the south end of Venice
Written February 19, 2019
How is this path for rollerblading? Nice and smooth or dicey? Im an experienced skater. Thanks!
Written October 26, 2018
I don’t think you will have any problems rollerblading the path. Some of the sharper bends have a bit more sand on the path than other sections. The path can get quite congested during busy times as walkers, cyclists, scooter rides and rollerbladers all share the path in most sections.
Written October 27, 2018
Where around GLADSTONES can I wade ankle deep into the ocean?
Written September 1, 2018
a little further north at surfrider beach malibu...right next to the pier
Written March 21, 2019
Is the 26 mile route signposted or where do we get a map. Is it a circular and can you start in marina Del Rey ?
Written August 5, 2018
Further to your query there are periodic signs and you can start on it anywhere.
It runs along the beach except for about a mile where it goes inland for about a 1/4 mile just south of Washington Blvd. If you’re going to be staying in Marina del Rey I would go to Washington Blvd near the beach. There are a number of bike rental places that will also provide you with a helmet (which is required). If you have a choice take it during the week as it will be less crowded. Bike North through Venice and into Santa Monica if you want the sights and sounds of Southern California. If you want a quieter ride with less people and attractions then ride South.
Written August 5, 2018
Hi, if you want to stop and look in shops etc. along the way what do you do with the bikes? Do you get a lock when hiring so it’s safe? Thank you
Written July 19, 2018
It depends on the vendor as far as locks go.
Some do, Some Don't.
Even with a lock I wouldn't part with it in some of the beach communities due to the homeless and the thugs that tend to look for opportunity.
I'd say use the bike path, simply for that.
Take the bike indoors to the places that will allow them.
Written July 30, 2018
Bonjour. Merci pour ces précisions. Combien coûte la location de vélo de Santa Monica à Venice Pier?
Written June 25, 2018
In quanto tempo (in bici) si arriva a venice da Santa Monica?
Written May 16, 2018
Hi, is one way bike rental possible? how would we get back to our car? Thanks a lot!
Written March 18, 2018
You ride there and back (we bring our own bikes and hitch them to the car.). There’s no one way bike rental available, to my knowledge, on this path — but you can rent s bike and ride it back to the rd gal place in Santa Monica.
Written March 19, 2018
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