Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica State Beach
4.5
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Top ways to experience Santa Monica State Beach
The area
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a coastal town that maintains a balance as a tourist destination and as an area with a thriving local culture. On the beach, bikers, roller-bladers, runners and walkers move along the famed bike path enjoying the beautiful Los Angeles weather. The solar-powered Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica pier spins high above the water, while park revelers scream with delight riding the roller coaster. Inland from the beach, Third Street Promenade bustles with shoppers and street performers, where every block seems to have a musical or acrobatic act drawing crowds giving Santa Monica both the feeling of a laid-back beach town and a major commercial hub.
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Restaurants
843 within 3 miles
Attractions
278 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Lenny HAuckland, New Zealand984 contributionsBeautiful Californian beachA great stretch of beach for a walk and to watch the sunset - which is rather early. Definitely a must visit. Many many beach volley ball courts. Happy, friendly atmosphere.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten January 5, 2024
- AMohsenPort Said, Egypt693 contributionsBeach JoyThe most popular and vibrant beaches in Los Angeles are Santa Monica and Venice beaches, so they must be on the list. The seawater quality and color are not that impressive, but the beach is quite joyful and picturesque. The popular Baywatch towers are there.Visited July 2023Traveled with friendsWritten February 18, 2024
- Grover RPensacola, Florida22,266 contributionsMade It to the Iconic LA BeachesOn my last trip to LA, we did not get to the beach or at least Santa Monica as we were in Long Beach. The beaches you really think about when you think Los Angeles are the beaches along Santa Monica Bay, so the trip I made the effort to visit Santa Monica and see the beach. While as a Gulf Coast guy, I prefer a white sand beach, this was a great beach. The background of mountains here on the coast is simply something we don't have. I am very glad we made the great beaches around LA for this visit.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 20, 2024
- Rodalita BFrancisco I. Madero Municipality, Mexico3,740 contributionsSanta Monia State Beach...STUNNING VIEWS BEACHES:: Santa Monica State Beach At California; .a Beautiful beaches in Los Angeles..a very popular beach of the tourust destined A brilluant place beautiful surround. It could be seen. Good for a walk in the morning while the sunset is up. So pretty and stunning spit of bay views ..it is an Atmosphere place wirh a great friendly staff....Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 12, 2024
- helenDoncaster, United Kingdom29 contributionsJust divine!We stayed in Hollywood so this was a trek but well worth it! We absolutely loved it! The pier was great and lots of great places to play, eat, drink and generally have fun! Well worth the effort ….Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 20, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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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
6,759 reviews
Excellent
3,497
Very good
2,391
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699
Poor
117
Terrible
54
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alexisrachelletx
Nashville, TN1,623 contributions
Feb 2020
The Santa Monica State Beach is a pretty long stretch of beach, and there are paid parking lots down it - with bathrooms and restaurants and playgrounds as well. When visiting LA with my husband and brother this past weekend, I knew I couldn't leave California without walking along the beach and taking in some ocean views. So we picked a parking lot ($7 for the day on a Tuesday; it was pretty empty) and walked along the beach for a bit. It was a grayish day, but it was still lovely to walk along the beach and watch and smell the ocean before heading back to wintery, rainy, gray Nashville. If your visit includes weekdays, I suggest visiting on the beach on a weekday - it was pretty empty! Very relaxing place to visit!
Written February 19, 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.
ViewsAndReviews
Porto, Portugal1,180 contributions
Jun 2020 • Solo
Santa Monica is among the LA area’s best beaches. From stunning sunsets to the picturesque pier at night... from families and friends playing... to tightrope walkers practicing. Something for everyone.
And a plus - having public restrooms as well as dining nearby like Perry’s at the beach.
And a plus - having public restrooms as well as dining nearby like Perry’s at the beach.
Written June 18, 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.
Munir D
Toronto, Canada703 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
This beach is popular in Los Angeles as it is in a nice locality and has clean and sandy beaches. The beach also houses the famous amusement pier and a beachfront boardwalk. There are a number of good restaurants that serve a variety of food on the waterfront.
We saw the sunset here on the first day of our arrival in Los Angeles. This would have been a perfect place to watch the sunset had the dipping of the sun not been over Malibu in the west. Nevertheless the sunset us fabulous.
Santa Monica offers the best overall beach experience in Los Angeles. It's also one of the best beach areas in Southern California. The addition of bike paths and plenty of outdoor exercise areas has made the beach very popular. The beach also has a lot of play areas.
A visit to Los Angeles is not complete without a visit to this beach. We stayed at the nearby Hilton which is a walking distance away from the beach.
Munir D.
We saw the sunset here on the first day of our arrival in Los Angeles. This would have been a perfect place to watch the sunset had the dipping of the sun not been over Malibu in the west. Nevertheless the sunset us fabulous.
Santa Monica offers the best overall beach experience in Los Angeles. It's also one of the best beach areas in Southern California. The addition of bike paths and plenty of outdoor exercise areas has made the beach very popular. The beach also has a lot of play areas.
A visit to Los Angeles is not complete without a visit to this beach. We stayed at the nearby Hilton which is a walking distance away from the beach.
Munir D.
Written June 28, 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.
Rob-CS
Gothenburg, Sweden180 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Santa Monica is not the beach I go to if the beach is the main thing. This is a beach I go to in combination with doing the third street promenade, or sometimes before I go to LAX. There is a paved path along the beach which is great if you want to ride a bike, skate board or roller skates, or if you just don’t want sand on your feet.
The beach is big and can host a lot more people than the surrounding parking can suffice.
The beach is big and can host a lot more people than the surrounding parking can suffice.
Written January 7, 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.
cp_0010
Manama, Bahrain1,516 contributions
Jul 2019
Visited Santa Monica beach on our way to LA from Las Vegas on our US trip with SOTC group. Santa Monica is a coastal city west of Los Angeles. Santa Monica Beach has Palisades Park with views over the Pacific Ocean and through the park, you can approach beaches. From the entrance, there is a straight walk up to the end of the pier facing Pacific ocean. You will find restaurants, amusement park, games & rides and other attractions on either side of the road. Beaches are sandy and clean. There is enough parking available. we had spent couple of hours there. It was bright sunny day and full of people & tourists. A very popular beach and must see.
Written May 30, 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.
Giacomo C
Florence, Italy2,397 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
Very nice area, with Baywatch beach, Pier full of attractions (ferris wheel, roller coaster, etc.), tall palm trees and people of all kinds doing all kinds of activities .. Very nice especially at sunset (the skyline of the palm trees and lifeguard sheds is really nice and a classic I would say) and in the evening for the lights of the Pier
Automatically translated
Written September 4, 2024
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.
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2,235 contributions
Sep 2022
We came here to hang out and take in the sun and water after going to the Santa Monica Pier, and this beach was the perfect way to end the day. This beach is incredibly clean, which I note because some beaches can be quite filthy, but this one is very well-maintained, with trash cans spaced out at regular intervals. The water is shallow at the beginning, and while the water can be cold at the very onset, you soon adjust to it. The sand is soft, which is great and makes it easier to walk. While this beach is very popular, we didn't feel crowded at all - we were easily able to find space to sit. There's also a very nice boardwalk that runs along the outer edge of the beach; the boardwalk is also super busy, but without feeling crowded.
Written September 2, 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.
nbe
Cugy, Switzerland174 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Access by car by parking on one of the many public parking (fees apply) then enjoy! The beaches are huge, the sand clean and the sea temperate. We were surprised by the cleanliness of the beaches and water. Extend the tour or day at Santa Monica Pier.
Automatically translated
Written August 17, 2024
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.
Asuman Güntay-An Gezgini
Istanbul, Türkiye1,954 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
Santa Monica Beach is timelessness that turns into passion...
Walk with the seagulls on the golden sands,
Swim in the cool waves of the Pacific Ocean, dive into the endless horizon of the red sunset under the shade of palm trees, and celebrate the past and future of your life.
Yes, I experience this all the time here.
Walk with the seagulls on the golden sands,
Swim in the cool waves of the Pacific Ocean, dive into the endless horizon of the red sunset under the shade of palm trees, and celebrate the past and future of your life.
Yes, I experience this all the time here.
Written September 7, 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.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC25,942 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
My day to visit Santa Monica happened to coincide with the second wave of the storm of the century hitting California. It was not a pleasant day to be on the beach. The beach is huge and is probably well over a mile long. It is wide and well maintained. There are lifeguard towers at regular intervals all the way down it. Parking costs, but the $7 is well worth it, if you actually get to go to the beach. I hope to go back some day when I can actually enjoy the beach.
Written January 11, 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.
Cosas para hacer en Pasadena California?
Y otra cosa que me gustaría saber es si es recomendable ir en octubre al muelle de Santa Monica California?
Written April 6, 2023
Hi,
I have a question about returning to the Pacific Highway ( number 1 ) after leaving Santa Monica Pier Car Park ( lot 1 ). I intend to drive to Santa Barbara after visiting Santa Monica Pier. Google Maps suggests I drive up Moomat Ahiko Way and then do a very sharp left turn on Ocean Avenue ( looks almost like a U turn ) and go back down Moomat Ahiko Way to PCH.
Is that the usual way of getting back on PCH from the pier parking ( if you want to keep going north .?)
Any feedback is welcome.
Written January 29, 2023
Would it be a good idea to visit Santa Monica Beach and Venice beach in one day? Is it easy to walk between them or would we benefit from renting bikes? Thanks for any advise.
Written June 22, 2019
Easy Bike ride between the two.. make sure you ask for bike lock from the hirer so you can lock up when you want to have a wander around!
Written June 23, 2019
Is driving from Hollywood to Santa Monica Pier then to Malibu wine safari too much to do in one day? What's the best day to go to either place to avoid traffic? Going early March.
Written January 23, 2019
doesn't seem like too much. I am not enough of a local to be able to advise on traffic in March I am afraid :) Have fun
Written January 28, 2019
A Tripadvisor member
Yes you can rent chairs and just about anything you need at the beach. Check with Perry’s as they are a Santa Monica institution and have locations along the boardwalk and open like 9a to 5pm.
Written February 12, 2019
We have just a couple of nights in LA. Is to safe of an evening for some night time pictures, normal precautions taken for granted.
Written August 12, 2018
I think so, we were there until around 8pm and didn’t have any problems!
Written August 14, 2018
What is the best beach that is kid friendly with plenty of water activities or kayaks to rent? Lots of restaurants that we can eat at with our toes in the sand?
Written May 22, 2018
Santa Monica beach is kid friendly - heaps of eating options, can’t recall kayaks for rent. Close to shops also.
Written May 26, 2018
irene742018
Palmdale, California
Is Monday afternoon a busy day at the Santa Monica beach?
Written April 29, 2018
Mike and Sharon
Parma, Ohio
Ment to write LINES are short, we went at 3pm
Written May 2, 2018
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