About Santa Monica Beach:
Situated beneath the palisades and downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica State Beach runs north of the Santa Monica Pier. This southwest-facing beach is home to Pacific Park amusement park and is near the Third Street Promenade.
Santa Monica Beach Fees:
- Entrance Fee: No
- Parking Fee: Yes. Park in the lots or at meters along Ocean Avenue.
Creature Comforts at Santa Monica Beach:
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Food nearby
- No Alcohol on the beach
- No pets allowed
Santa Monica Beach Activities:
- Bike path
- Surfing
- Swimming, lifeguard on duty during daylight hours
- Volleyball (7 courts)
- Walking path
Lodging Near Santa Monica Beach:
You'll find a lot of hotels on the beach in Santa Monica and other area towns, or check our picks for nice hotels in Santa Monica and Malibu.
Highs and Lows at Santa Monica Beach:
- Santa Monica Beach can get very crowded on a summer day. The further you get away from the pier, the thinner the crowds.
Beachgoer Beware:
Heal the Bay rates Santa Monica as a "Bummer" for its poor water quality.
Santa Monica Beach Rating:
Poll: How do you rate Santa Monica State Beach?
See how others rate Santa Monica State Beach
Poll: What is Santa Monica State Beach Best For?
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Scuba Diving
- Fishing
- Beach Volleyball
- Bicycle Riding
- Walking
- People-Watching
- Wildlife-Watching, tide pooling
How to Get to Santa Monica Beach:
To reach Santa Monica State Beach, take I-10 west to where it ends at Pacific Coast Highway (CA Hwy 1). Several large, public parking lots are just north of the pier along PCH. The beach doesn't stop at the pier and you can also park south of it. Take Pico Blvd west to Appian Way and turn right. You'll find a couple of public lots along Appian and more near the intersection of Ocean Ave and Hollister Ave.
Park downtown and take the Beach Ride which runs in the summer.
