Palisades Park
Palisades Park
4
About
This lush, 25-acre park overlooking the Pacific is a wonderful place for walkers, bikers and people watchers, and connects with the broad Santa Monica beach made famous in TV's "Baywatch" episodes.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Palisades Park and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Ocean Park
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
935 within 3 miles
Attractions
277 within 6 miles
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
4.0
570 reviews
Excellent
261
Very good
216
Average
68
Poor
19
Terrible
6
John B
Chepstow, UK86 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Sad too say the place is a magnet for the homeless. We stayed in a hotel across the road and did not venture out after dark as it didn’t appear safe! There were homeless people sleeping on the benches and grass day and night. Loads of noise shouting and playing loud music! Not an enjoyable place to walk.
Written June 3, 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.
George Vreeland Hill
Beverly Hills, CA1,621 contributions
Jul 2020
A beautiful park that overlooks the ocean and pier.
It's narrow, but long and is a picture taking must.
Gorgeous flowers, trees and more.
A great walk, but there tends to be homeless people around.
I give this park 4 stars and not 5 because of the homeless who take up so many benches and don't care.
George Vreeland Hill
It's narrow, but long and is a picture taking must.
Gorgeous flowers, trees and more.
A great walk, but there tends to be homeless people around.
I give this park 4 stars and not 5 because of the homeless who take up so many benches and don't care.
George Vreeland Hill
Written July 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.
Rob M
Cheyenne, WY7,632 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Tons of Shops, rides and stores. Concerts during the summer. Eric Burdon and the Animals were playing that day we went. Rides are about $8 per person. Beautiful views. Took the Ferris wheel. Worth the stop. Always some performer entertaining.
Written April 3, 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.
Armen Pandola
Paris, France142 contributions
Mar 2020
I don't think there is any more beautiful place to walk, run or just stop and look in the USA. No shops and stores, nothing but great scenery from tall cliffs that overlook one of the most beautiful bays in the wolrd.
Written March 15, 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.
PenguinPie
Edmonton, Canada2 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
Don't get me wrong here. Homeless people are people too. I don't expect to take a trip to indulge a fantasy that homelessness does not exist. But Santa Monica has a massive problem with the homeless. It really detracts from the experience because I could not walk a block without either being solicited or witnessing some baffling and sketchy behavior. You just are bombarded all the time with it. I had to head to downtown L.A. to get a break from it. People following you into coffee shops, passing out in the middle of the street, etc, etc. Hey things happen sometimes but when they are happening every 5 minutes 24 hours a day it's just too much. Especially when you just come to get some sun and relax a little. Palisades itself would be a great park if you felt like you could sit on the grass without worrying about getting jabbed by a hypodermic needle. Or avoid disturbing some guy on the grass who is sleeping on the grass with all his possessions next to him. It was a funny contrast with the wealth and poverty put side by side constantly. Even visiting your own city's slum areas I feel you will feel less awkward than coming here. Sorry Santa Monica. I desperately want to like you but damn. Get it together.
Written January 9, 2016
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.
Neekster
Cincinnati, OH213 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
I'm not trying to take on the nation's homeless problem but just giving a review/heads up about what the park is like. We had no idea the amount of mentally ill homeless that are in Santa Monica especially this area surrounding the pier. Laying on every park bench, screaming at themselves, lying in the grass, etc. It was a real eye opener to us. We did not feel safe after dark.
Written June 16, 2015
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.
Im-Batman1971
Baltimore, MD202 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
I'm sure that this is a sensitive topic, so I will be gentle and respectful. We stayed for a week on the beach in Santa Monica. We loved it there, and we loved walking in the Palisades Park, both during the day, and at sunset. It's gorgeous! The landscaping is beautiful, and the views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Mountains, and the Santa Monica Pier are breathtaking. However, the hundreds of homelessness that linger there makes it hard to relax. Now I know, they are having a far worse time than I am with my comfort level. But they are occupying most benches, sleeping all over the grassy areas, and the smell of urine and body odor is ever present. Not to mention that you will witness the sad signs of mental illness. It's quite sad! Now there is a police presence and a maintenance crew that keep things tolerable, but it's hard to enjoy yourself when there's so much suffering near by. I don't know the solution, nor do I care to debate it, but if I'm going to rate this park, it does have to be mentioned. Other than that, the place is beautiful!
Written August 4, 2014
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.
Emirati Vacationer
London, UK227 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Take your wife and go there for a walk and/or a photoshoot by the sea. The place is clean and if you come in the summer you will capture the essence of californiA
Written August 24, 2019
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.
Desiree
Franklinville, NJ389 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
It’s all homeless (75%) and one woman had her pants down in broad daylight. You can pick up a scooter though, or ride your bike through, but be careful.
Written August 7, 2018
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.
ohioan1
Sylvania, OH75 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
I'm from a rural area and where I come from, rats are vermin. I would never go back at night, but I am willing to try it in the daytime hours. No restrooms available (for women).
Written June 23, 2016
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.
Carolina Arias
Santa Clarita, CA7 contributions
Do they allow on leash dogs? Anyone have personal experience with bringing their dog here?
Parvati P
4 contributions
Yes, you can bring leashed dogs to Palisades Park. There are so many folks with dogs there, walking them on leashes.
Marie L
Antibes, France133 contributions
Hello everybody :) where do you advice to park ? any free roads ? or not too expensive car park ?
Can you have a reception here?
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 listingPalisades Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Palisades Park
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Palisades Park:
- 3.5 Hour Private Coastal Tour of Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Malibu (From $306.25)
- Santa Monica Scavenger Hunt: The Dessert of L.A. (From $12.31)
- Los Angeles Private 4 Hour Driving Tour (From $53.00)
- Private Rickshaw Tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach (From $120.00)
- Santa Monica Downtown Walking Tour (From $40.00)
- Hotels near Palisades Park:
- (0.01 mi) Bright, Charming & Spacious Beach Home by Santa Monica Pier
- (0.01 mi) Private Luxury Dreamhouse in Santa Monica
- (0.03 mi) Seaview Hotel
- (0.04 mi) Best Beach Location in Santa Monica! Walk Score10
- (0.04 mi) Le Merigot Santa Monica
- Restaurants near Palisades Park:
- (0.04 mi) Cora's Coffee Shoppe
- (0.11 mi) 1 Pico
- (0.12 mi) Cha Cha Chicken
- (0.11 mi) Coast Beach Cafe and Bar
- (0.05 mi) Capo