Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica State Beach
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Santa Monica State Beach
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
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.
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
851 within 3 miles
Attractions
279 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Grover RPensacola, Florida22,545 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
- Getaway019454779203 contributionsAccommodation will be based around this area.I go there twice a year for business trips. Since the weather is generally nice in LA, I take a walk there every morning. This area is one of the safest areas in the US, so I'd like to take my family there as well, but since I go there regularly for work, I don't often have the chance.Visited August 2023Traveled on businessWritten May 9, 2024
- Rodalita BFrancisco I. Madero Municipality, Mexico3,867 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
- nbeCugy, Switzerland175 contributionsBeautiful beachesAccess 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.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 17, 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
- Fabrice LVanves, France972 contributionsThe famous beach of Santa MonicaMy second dream come true. Santa Monica beach, very nice beach. For those who are fan, of Rocky in the III , like me 😊😊Apollo Creed coach, Rocky on this beach. Not counting the other movies, alert in Malibu or whatever. Let's get back to that beach. It's huge in the middle of August, I had no one several dozen meters away. There are several parking lots to park (paying just over $20) For us, the end of the journey, because it is the end of Route 66 or the beginning for those who would leave here.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 29, 2024
- Giacomo CFlorence, Italy2,417 contributionsVery beautiful, suggestive at sunsetVery 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 PierVisited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 4, 2024
- chveigaPiracicaba, SP568 contributionsOne of the best places in Los AngelesWell, actually Santa Monica isn't a Los Angeles neighborhood, it's another city. But it's stuck in LA and you can even get by subway (just take the subway line E and get off at the final station). And it's a very cool place to walk and eat. It has the famous pier (which is really great), and many, but many restaurants and options to eat, especially on the Third Street Promenade, which is a closed pedestrian street that more looks like an open-air shopping. It has beach, bike road, etc. By the way, Santa Monica is so good that it is an excellent accommodation option for those who will stay in Los Angeles (much better than downtown LA, for example).Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 24, 2024
- Amistad17Le Pradet, France20 contributionsThe end roadripSanta Monica is beautiful only flat parking there... hell! In short, look carefully before going and especially go at the beginning of the day. The fisherman's is great it's to see because several shops to visit including the Boubba gump that will make you relive the famous movie with Tom Hanks. Nice discovery to all.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 11, 2024
- Mathéo B3 contributionsEscaped from the citySanta Monica has such a charming vibe! Strolling along the pier with its vintage atmosphere was delightful, and the sunset over the ocean was simply breathtaking. The mix of lively shops, street performers, and the calming sea made it feel so unique. A beautiful escape!Visited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten December 12, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
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
6,764 reviews
Excellent
3,503
Very good
2,391
Average
699
Poor
117
Terrible
54
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Asuman Güntay-An Gezgini
Istanbul, Türkiye1,927 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.
alexisrachelletx
Nashville, TN1,609 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.
Munir D
Toronto, Canada694 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.
Socrate321
France260 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Beautiful beach as far as the eye can see...
This place is mythical in many ways...
Not only are we in California, on the Pacific coast, but we can't count the number of movies, television series, etc. for which this place has been used as a setting.
It is also the terminus of the very famous and equally mythical "Route 66"
Nevertheless and as the picture shows, do not hope to go there in order to swim at length...
Indeed the water is fresh, very fresh...
If we have the "Gulf Stream" a marine current that brings from the equator warm waters, along the Atlantic coast, here it is rather the reverse, the area is subjected to marine currents descending from the north pole, and therefore produces the opposite effect.
You only have to look at the number of bathers in the water, on the picture to understand...
This place is mythical in many ways...
Not only are we in California, on the Pacific coast, but we can't count the number of movies, television series, etc. for which this place has been used as a setting.
It is also the terminus of the very famous and equally mythical "Route 66"
Nevertheless and as the picture shows, do not hope to go there in order to swim at length...
Indeed the water is fresh, very fresh...
If we have the "Gulf Stream" a marine current that brings from the equator warm waters, along the Atlantic coast, here it is rather the reverse, the area is subjected to marine currents descending from the north pole, and therefore produces the opposite effect.
You only have to look at the number of bathers in the water, on the picture to understand...
Automatically translated
Written October 13, 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.
M G
Oakland, CA193 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
This is a very nice long stretch of beach, but it is extremely crowded to the point of not being enjoyable. Way too many people & vendors to be able to relax or find a decent spot. There are so many beaches along this coastline that going here makes no sense. It's fun to go the pier & walk around in the crowds, but if you are actually trying to experience the beach & the ocean, then this place is overcrowded.
Written July 11, 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, CT2,255 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.
Ralph a
Puerto Rico3 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
A great beach with clear water perfect for paddleboarding and bodyboarding. The sand is soft and inviting, and there's plenty of space to relax. It can get a bit crowded near the pier, but it’s a fun spot for both kids and adults.
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.
Quest10789530418
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Friends
There are cracked out homeless people everywhere and I felt very unsafe. People were sleeping in the middle of the sidewalks, swatting at imaginary bugs, harassing people for money, and even saw a lady taking a dump in the middle of the sidewalk. We drove down south to Huntington Beach and it was MUCH nicer.
Written June 11, 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.
koebe
Edmonton, Canada109 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Did not feel safe here. Lots of homeless and high/drunk. Did not feel safe to walk on my own. One evening a fight broke out and 6 cop cars came. Garbage all the way along the beach.
Written April 29, 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.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC25,938 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
Showing results 1-10 of 27
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing