Santa Monica Bay
Santa Monica Bay
4.5
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Santa Monica Bay consists of 50 miles of scenic coastline with 22 separate public beaches, providing recreational opportunities to visitors year round.
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The area
Neighborhood: Central L.A
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Restaurants
857 within 3 miles
Attractions
266 within 6 miles
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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
5,348 reviews
Excellent
2,871
Very good
1,881
Average
510
Poor
63
Terrible
23
Hala
4 contributions
Aug 2019
beautiful sandy beach fro sun bathing and enjoying wonderful weather. not perfect for swimmers lots of fun activities nearby like biking. shops along the the bay are fun and funky.
Written March 5, 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
Jul 2019
Santa Monica Bay is a bight of the Pacific Ocean in California, United States. It is home to many beaches including Santa Monica state beach and Malibu lagoon state beach. We visited Santa Monica state beach section of the bay. It has nice sandy beaches along the Pacific ocean. The Bay is also a very popular fishing destination also round the year.
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.
InnaYYZ
Toronto, Canada1,489 contributions
Aug 2019
At 4;30 pm, we commenced our one hour walk on this beautiful beach. It is long and has good depth. Even at 5:30 pm, when we were ending our walk, there were still many out on the beach, and some still coming (which I assume are those trying to get in a little beach time after a day's work).
Written August 7, 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.
Kirsten A
Los Angeles, CA115 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Los Angeles has at least 15 beaches in the county of L.A. and double that if not more when you include Orange County to the South and Ventura County to the North. You're better off at most of those other beaches. Like Venice Beach, Santa Monica Bay and its beaches are vastly overrated. They're famous for being famous but in reality they're crowded with tourists and locals who don't bother to do their homework to find other beaches that are better for an authentic, uncrowded experience. Save the money you will spend on parking and head to another beach that you can park at for free on the side of the road. Do a little digging, and those are easy enough to find in the greater L.A. area. Better yet, support the state and national park system by going to one of their beaches in the greater L.A. area.
Written March 31, 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.
Brianna O
Espoo, Finland32 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
I remember coming here for years. This trip to my extreme shock the drug users seem to have taken over the beach and pier. Needles in sand, users all over, not what it used to be and unfortunately very unsafe for families! My trip ended in ER after getting poked by a drug needle while running fingers in sand!
Written July 25, 2017
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.
Belinda S
Prague, Czech Republic402 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
Worth the visit. Make sure you check out the Bubba Gump, and hotel California while here. Always sunny in California
Written March 31, 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.
egtact
Los Angeles, CA50 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
Used to be a nice beach/shopping experience. But since the City of Santa Monica decided to feed the homeless, the beach and the Promenade are a smelly dive. You feel like you need a tetanus shot after walking on the beach amongst all the medical waste littering the shore. And parking is a joke. Take a hint... drive north on the PCH until you can see cleaner sand and water.
Written June 3, 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.
Alex_TI84
Москва, Россия56 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
Coast of Santa Monica loved. Very broad coastline, pretty beach with special places for recreation and sports, spacious bike lanes through the entire length of the beach, entertainment center right on the dock of the bay, and much more that makes a stay at the beach in Santa Monica great =)
The only thing that really surprised is the fact that we were in Santa Monica in March and on the street was 30 degree heat, and the water in the ocean at this point was just ice !!!
It was nice to be on the coast of Santa Monica and live to experience the atmosphere, which is trying to convey to us in many Hollywood films and television series, especially cool to see live was the atmosphere in the square near the beach in Santa Monica, where people do all sorts of things, sell their painted paintings, glasses, clothes or make reading poems or performing his own music, and it was all as colorful as it was shown in my favorite TV series Californication;)))
I advise you to be sure to wait for the sunset on the beach in Santa Monica and distancing from the amusement park, to be photographed against the backdrop of the ferris wheel and the beautiful California sunset))) Photos will be great;)
The only thing that really surprised is the fact that we were in Santa Monica in March and on the street was 30 degree heat, and the water in the ocean at this point was just ice !!!
It was nice to be on the coast of Santa Monica and live to experience the atmosphere, which is trying to convey to us in many Hollywood films and television series, especially cool to see live was the atmosphere in the square near the beach in Santa Monica, where people do all sorts of things, sell their painted paintings, glasses, clothes or make reading poems or performing his own music, and it was all as colorful as it was shown in my favorite TV series Californication;)))
I advise you to be sure to wait for the sunset on the beach in Santa Monica and distancing from the amusement park, to be photographed against the backdrop of the ferris wheel and the beautiful California sunset))) Photos will be great;)
Written August 14, 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.
thebigdaz
Sydney, Australia178 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
What's not to love about Santa Monica? This area has everything a traveller could want, sites, shopping, restaurants, cafes, a great beach, quality hotels and within proximity of all LA's attractions. It's an easy drive from LAX and then everything local is within walking distance. When driving to LA's attractions all freeways are easy to access or just jump on to Santa Monica Blvd and head into town.
Written February 20, 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.
Duggie65
Dublin, Ireland97 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
Made my way to Santa Monica on the Starline hop on off bus. I always wanted to dip my toe in the Pacific Ocean and I achieved it on Santa Monica's large beach, Took a stroll along the pier and the view around the bay from the pier was wonderful. In all my visits around Santa Monica and other parts of Hollywood, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, not a 'celebrity' to be seen. They must have known I was coming !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written December 2, 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.
how long does it take to get to santa monica pier on a weekday at around 8-9 am form La Crescenta area?
Hello! I would like to know which beaches recommend not to visit due to having sharks
thanks
Nicole S
High River, Canada15 contributions
On the LA go pass there is an option to pay for the pier. What is this? Admission? Parking? Thanks!
m4slcsam
Geelong & Bellarine, Australia309 contributions
Santa Monica Pier was free. We parked on the main shopping complex which was great and strolled over after.
Gustavo Franceschini
Buenos Aires, Argentina15 contributions
Quisiera saber si el agua es realmente transparente y limpia. Si hay muchas olas o es calma. Gracias!!
jose manuel v V
Barakaldo, Spain92 contributions
agua no es transparente,esta fría y cuando fui yo en agosto había bastante gente y si había olas
Estrellachern
Luodong8 contributions
Bien linda playa y lugar de compra, siempre pasó de transito a pasear por este lugar, y ahora tiene metro para llegar, mucho mejor y fácil de llegar
Un lugar encantado.
Grigdon
Las Vegas, NV207 contributions
No hablo Espanol
L7308DU_
1 contribution
أريد السفر إلا لوس انجلس أمريكا الشمالية
وأريد الحصول على تشيرة عمل
وشكرا.
Foody456
Shelby Township, MI11 contributions
Hi There,
Coming into Santa Monica area with the family for my sons spring break. We want to go sight seeing and we are staying a few blocks from the pier.
*where to go star gazing...?
* universal studios>warnerbrothers?
*whale watching? I’ve heard some friends did this and the boat was full of people vomiting?
*restaurants that are musts we are foodies
* helicopter tour of LA
Thanks for any suggestions:)
JJK456
West Warwick, RI49 contributions
Los Angeles has a lot of light pollution. There is a great observatory at Griffith Park, you should check out what they are doing when you are there. There will also be good star viewing if you go north up the coast to Malibu area or a little more north.
Foody456
Shelby Township, MI11 contributions
Hi There,
Coming into Santa Monica area with the family for my sons spring break. We want to go sight seeing and we are staying a few blocks from the pier.
*where to go star gazing...?
* universal studios>warnerbrothers?
*whale watching? I’ve heard some friends did this and the boat was full of people vomiting?
*restaurants that are musts we are foodies
* helicopter tour of LA
Thanks for any suggestions:)
luvSweetz
Detroit, MI114 contributions
Surside Bar &Grill Venice Beach 23 Windward Ave.
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Claim your listingSanta Monica Bay - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Monica Bay
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Santa Monica Bay:
- The Ultimate LA Tour: Full Day Sightseeing Tour On Electric Bike (From $214.00)
- Santa Monica Scavenger Hunt: The Dessert of L.A. (From $12.31)
- Private Vacation Photography Session with Local Photographer in Los Angeles (From $299.00)
- L.A. Highlights Private Full Day Tour of Los Angeles (From $899.00)
- Small Group Electric EBike bicycle Tour Santa Monica and Venice (From $89.00)
- Hotels near Santa Monica Bay:
- (0.26 mi) Shore Hotel
- (0.33 mi) The Georgian Santa Monica
- (0.29 mi) Ocean View Hotel
- (0.29 mi) Le Merigot Santa Monica
- (0.22 mi) Sea Blue Hotel
- Restaurants near Santa Monica Bay:
- (0.02 mi) Pier Burger
- (0.03 mi) Japadog at Santa Monica Pier
- (0.04 mi) Funnel Cake Factory
- (0.05 mi) Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
- (0.07 mi) The Albright
- Attractions near Santa Monica Bay:
- (0.01 mi) Playland Arcade
- (0.02 mi) Route 66 End of the Trail Sign
- (0.02 mi) Trapeze School New York, Los Angeles
- (0.03 mi) Santa Monica Farmers Market
- (0.09 mi) Santa Monica Pier