Santa Monica State Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
United States
California (CA)
Santa Monica
Things to Do in Santa Monica
Santa Monica State Beach
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Santa Monica State Beach

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Santa Monica State Beach
4.5
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The area
Address
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
915 within 3 miles
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
4,258
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
True Food Kitchen
1,559
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Contemporary • Healthy
Brunos
426
489 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Blue Plate Taco
1,306
528 ft$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Latin
BOA Steakhouse Santa Monica
963
0.3 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
The Curious Palate
153
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa
531
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Seafood • Sushi
North Italia
324
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Water Grill Santa Monica
1,304
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe
490
414 ft$ • American • Bar • Pub
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Attractions
271 within 6 miles
Santa Monica Yacht Harbor Sign
293
29 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Tongva Park
222
316 ftParks
Heal the Bay Aquarium
274
505 ftAquariums
Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome
57
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Santa Monica Pier
19,308
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Santa Monica Place
327
0.2 miShopping Malls
Santa Monica Visitor Center
92
0.1 miVisitor Centers
Santa Monica Bay
5,348
0.2 miBodies of Water • Beaches
Original Muscle Beach Santa Monica
3
0.1 miBeaches
Cayton Children's Museum
1
0.2 miChildren's Museums
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See what travelers are saying
  • Tom F
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Summer place
    Nice beach with beautiful girls and sand and good water for a paddle/bodyboard. It can get a bit busy around the pier side though but great for kids and adults. Parking is bit expensive but it is close to beach.
    Visited August 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written May 17, 2023
  • Michael H
    Worthing, United Kingdom57 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fab visit to Santa Monica beach and pier
    Really enjoyed our visit to Santa Monica beach and the pier in May. It was a beautiful day, a bit windy so sea had lots of spray and surf on the waves. We loved the lively pier and it’s views back over the beach and back towards Santa Monica and surrounding area. Seemed full of happy people and families
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 15, 2023
  • Lenny H
    Auckland, New Zealand797 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Californian beach
    A 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 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 5, 2024
  • AMohsen
    Port Said, Egypt520 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beach Joy
    The 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 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 18, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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
4.5 of 5 bubbles6,744 reviews
Excellent
3,492
Very good
2,385
Average
698
Poor
116
Terrible
53
Rob-CS
Gothenburg, Sweden184 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Large beach and close to other things
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.
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, Bahrain1,499 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nice beach
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.
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2,150 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Beautiful, clean beach
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.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC22,394 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Huge and Empty
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.
Adam G
Albany, OR76 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Vacation
Jan 2020 • Couples
Beautiful beach and views. Seems like they try hard to keep the beach area clean but so many people obviously make it a challenge. Nice to walk the beach though and take in the views
Written January 20, 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.
muzique1960
Woodridge, IL367 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Clean lovely beach; easy walk to the pier; place to clean your feet!
Aug 2021
My son and I love coming to this beach! The sand is kept very clean. It is a great way to spend some relaxing time, or build a sand castle, or make your own sand creation! There are rest rooms nearby, with a place to rinse the sand off. It is an easy walk to the Santa Monica pier and everything that is offered there. Great way to spend a couple hours or the entire day!
Written August 10, 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.
Michael H
Worthing, UK57 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Fab visit to Santa Monica beach and pier
May 2023 • Couples
Really enjoyed our visit to Santa Monica beach and the pier in May. It was a beautiful day, a bit windy so sea had lots of spray and surf on the waves.

We loved the lively pier and it’s views back over the beach and back towards Santa Monica and surrounding area. Seemed full of happy people and families
Written July 15, 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.
AMohsen
Port Said, Egypt520 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Beach Joy
Jul 2023 • Friends
The 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.
Written February 18, 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.
permia
Ireland41,087 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Enjoyed an evening paddle
Oct 2019
Walking from Venice we had splendid vistas of the ocean and beach as we approached the famous pier. It looked beguiling in the evening light.

We enjoyed a paddle in the refreshing water. We weren’t alone, many visitors were enjoying the delightful experience.
Written January 28, 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.
DarleneG83
Bakersfield, CA12 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
At the beach Santa Monica CA
Aug 2020 • Couples
Hung out on beach soaked up some sun, & relaxed. The lifeguard was very kind If u forget some beach items, there are vendors selling towels, boogie boards, pails/shovels (kids) & beach umbrellas There is some work being done to the stairs getting to the pier. So u have to walk under the bridge n around & over to get to the pier. The parking cost is $15
I enjoyed my day away :)
Written August 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.
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Santa Monica State Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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