Santa Monica Beach — The Complete Guide
Santa Monica Beach is the LA beach. It's the one people picture when they think of California — wide sand, the pier glowing against the water, volleyball games running, skaters and cyclists cruising the path, and the kind of light in the late afternoon that makes everything look like a movie. It runs about 3.5 miles along the coast, which means there's room to spread out even on a packed Saturday.
But Santa Monica isn't just a beach. It's a full day. You can start on the sand in the morning, walk to some of the best food in the city by lunch, spend the afternoon on the pier or cruising the bike path, and end up watching the sunset from the bluffs above with something cold in your hand. Everything is walkable. You don't need a car once you're here. And honestly, it's the kind of day that's dramatically better when you've got people to do it with.
Things to Do at Santa Monica Beach
The beach has two distinct personalities depending on where you are. South of the pier is where the energy lives — volleyball nets, crowds, the buzz of people actually doing things. North of the pier is quieter and more spread out — families, surfers, people reading books on towels. Pick your vibe or do both.
Bike the Strand. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail — locals call it "the Strand" or "the beach path" — is a 22-mile flat, paved path running right along the coastline. Rent bikes near the pier for $10‒15/hour and ride south to Venice (about 15 minutes) or north toward Will Rogers Beach. It's the best way to cover the coast without sitting in traffic and one of the most iconic things you can do in LA.
Surf (or learn to). The waves at Santa Monica are mellow, which makes it one of the best beginner surf spots in LA. You're not going to impress anyone experienced, but if you've never stood on a board, this is where you learn. Rentals and lessons are available right on the sand from multiple vendors.
Play chess. The International Chess Park is just south of the pier. Concrete tables, usually a few regulars looking for a game. It's free, it's weird, it's very LA.
Or just lay out. Bring a speaker, bring some snacks, claim a spot, and do nothing for a few hours. The sand is wide and clean. Sometimes doing nothing is the whole plan, and that's fine.
Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Courts
Santa Monica is literally the birthplace of modern beach volleyball. The AVP was founded here, and the courts along this stretch of sand have hosted Olympians, legends, and weekend warriors side by side for decades. There are over 150 public courts spread across six designated areas, and they're available first-come, first-served unless reserved.
Where the courts are:
Tournament Beach (1620 Pacific Coast Hwy) 80 courts. This is the main hub. South of the pier, it's where most of the action is on any given day.
Sorrento Beach (2600 Pacific Coast Hwy) 20 courts. A mile north of the pier. This is the historic home of SM beach volleyball — legends like Sinjin Smith and Ron Van Hagen made their names here in the '70s and '80s. Rope-lined courts, good sand, games at all levels.
Santa Monica Pier Courts (1550 Appian Way) 6 courts with lights for evening play. These are the only lit courts on the beach, so they're the spot for after-work games. They're also designated as challenge courts at all times.
Ocean Park South (2600 Ocean Front Walk) 8 courts.
Annenberg Community Beach House (415 Pacific Coast Hwy) 6 courts (4 reservable, 2 open play). You can also rent nets here and they offer volleyball classes through the City.
Pickup games happen constantly, especially on weekends and weekday evenings. If you want something more organized, ClubWAKA runs a social beach volleyball league on Sundays near Lifeguard Tower 28, Meet U At The Net runs 2v2 leagues on Saturdays and Sundays, and ZogSports has adult leagues year-round.
Court rules to know: After 5pm, all courts become challenge courts if players are waiting and no other courts are available. You can hold one court with a 30-minute window for your group to arrive. Bring your own volleyball — nets are provided but balls are not.
Best times to play: Mornings (7‒9am) and late afternoons (4‒6pm) are peak times. Weekdays are more relaxed; weekends get competitive.
Santa Monica Pier — What to Know Before You Go
The pier has been here since 1909 and it's the centerpiece of the whole beach. Pacific Park sits on top — the solar-powered Ferris wheel (it lights up at night and you can see it from miles away), a small roller coaster, midway games, and the kind of funnel cake that only tastes right at the beach. It's not a theme park. It's a pier. And that's exactly what makes it fun.
The historic Looff Hippodrome carousel has been spinning since 1922. The Heal the Bay Aquarium is underneath the pier — small but well done, with over 100 local marine species. The Route 66 "End of the Trail" sign is at the entrance to the pier.
The move: Go in the late afternoon. The pier is crowded midday on weekends and the energy is more chaotic than fun. But hit it at 4 or 5pm and you get golden hour — the light on the water from the end of the pier is one of the best sunset views in all of LA. In summer, the Twilight Concert Series brings free live music to the pier on Thursday nights.
Best Restaurants Near Santa Monica Beach
The food scene within walking distance of Santa Monica Beach is genuinely one of the strongest in LA. Here's what's actually worth your time, organized by what kind of meal you're looking for.
Grab-and-Go (Eat on the Beach)
Bay Cities Italian Deli — 1517 Lincoln Blvd — 10 min walk from the sand The Godmother sandwich is one of the most famous sandwiches in Los Angeles. Get it on the Italian roll with the works. There will be a line. It will be worth it. Grab it and eat on the beach. This is the move.
Tacos Punta Cabras — 2311 Broadway Baja-style fish tacos that are unreasonably good for the price. The smoked fish taco is the order.
Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe — 1014 Wilshire Blvd The pastries here will ruin other pastries for you. The maple bacon biscuit is dangerous. Gets packed on weekends — go early.
Group Dinner (Sharing Plates, Big Tables)
Tar & Roses — 602 Santa Monica Blvd The menu is built for sharing, which makes it perfect for a group. The whole fried snapper with soba noodles might be the single best dish in Santa Monica.
Birdie G's — 2421 Michigan Ave Seasonal California comfort food with Jewish and Eastern European influences. The lamb "a la Saless" on impossibly crispy rice is a must-order.
Xuntos — 521 Santa Monica Blvd Best Spanish restaurant on the Westside. Tapas, Basque cider, croquetas, and the kind of energy where a two-hour dinner turns into three without anyone noticing.
Din Tai Fung (Santa Monica Place) — 395 Santa Monica Place Soup dumplings, garlicky string beans, spicy wontons. Reliably great and one of the easier places to fit a big group.
Date Night / Special Occasion
Elephante — 1332 2nd St Rooftop Italian-Mediterranean with panoramic ocean views. Beautiful space, excellent pasta, the kind of place that makes you feel like you're somewhere special. Reservations essential.
Pasjoli — 2732 Main St Recently revamped to a more relaxed bar-food concept. Cordon bleu-stuffed chicken wings, a burger with bone marrow aioli. Still available: the pressed duck dinner for $185 if you're feeling bold.
The Lobster — 1602 Ocean Ave Right at the pier entrance. Seafood and ocean views. Slightly touristy but the location is unbeatable and the lobster is genuinely good.
Coffee & Drinks
Dogtown Coffee — 2003 Main St No-frills, strong coffee, local vibes. Named after the Dogtown skateboarding era. Cold brew before the beach.
The Bungalow — 101 Wilshire Blvd Beach-house bar at the Fairmont Miramar. Fire pits, tiki vibes, strong drinks. Great group hangout that doesn't feel like a club.
Chez Jay — 1657 Ocean Ave Dive bar. Open since 1959. Peanut shells on the floor. Stiff pours. More history than most LA landmarks. This is where you end up at 1am telling stories with people you just met.
Third Street Promenade & Downtown Santa Monica
Three blocks from the beach, Third Street Promenade is Santa Monica's outdoor pedestrian street — closed to cars, open to street performers, live music, shops, and restaurants on every block. It's a good place to wander after the beach when you're done with sand but not done with Santa Monica.
For a more local, less tourist-heavy feel, walk south on Main Street instead. Independent shops, good coffee, restaurants that feel like finds rather than landmarks. Keep going and it turns into Venice.
What Else Is Nearby
Palisades Park
The bluffs directly above the beach. Walking paths, benches, palm trees, and wide-open Pacific views. Walk the full length from Montana Avenue to the pier — it's one of the most underrated walks in LA.
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Wednesday and Saturday mornings on Arizona Avenue. This is where LA's best chefs shop. Fresh produce, flowers, prepared food. Wednesday is the bigger market.
Tongva Park
Hidden gem next to the pier. Six acres of modern design — gardens, shaded seating, a splash pad in summer. Great for a break from the sand.
Annenberg Community Beach House
Just north of the pier. Public beach club with a pool, volleyball courts, gallery space. It feels like a secret that shouldn't be as accessible as it is.
Santa Monica Beach Parking (Updated 2025)
Parking is the single most stressful part of a Santa Monica Beach day. Here's the actual current info — a lot of what's online is now outdated because the city changed its rates in January 2025.
Beach lots along Pacific Coast Highway are flat-rate, typically $8‒18 depending on the day and lot. They increased by $2.50/hour in beach and downtown zones in January 2025 but remain among the cheapest beachfront parking in Southern California. Lot 1 North (the main beach lot near the pier) is open 6am to 2am.
Downtown parking structures on 2nd and 4th Street are closest to the Promenade and pier. Important update: As of January 1, 2025, the first 60 minutes are free — it was previously 90 minutes, and most websites still say 90 minutes. After that, rates increase at the 2-hour and 4-hour marks.
Meters run $2.50/hour everywhere else. There is no free meter parking on Sundays — a common misconception.
The smart move: Take the Metro E Line. It drops you at Downtown Santa Monica station, 10 minutes' walk to the beach. Park at one of the Metro station garages along the E Line for $3 and ride in. No parking stress, no circling, and you can have a few drinks without worrying about driving. If you must drive: get to beach lots before 9am on weekends.
Is Santa Monica Beach Safe to Swim?
Mostly yes, with a couple of important caveats. Overall, Santa Monica Beach's water quality is strong — 95% of the coastline consistently receives an A grade or better on Heal the Bay's weekly Beach Report Card. The open stretches of beach north and south of the pier are generally safe and clean.
The exception is right around the pier. The area within about 400 yards of the pier on either side has persistently higher bacteria levels due to limited water circulation under the structure and bird populations. Heal the Bay has flagged this stretch as a chronic concern. Best practice: swim at the pier if you want, but if water quality matters to you, walk a few minutes in either direction.
After rain: Avoid the water for at least 72 hours after any significant rainfall. Stormwater runoff washes bacteria and pollutants into the ocean, especially near storm drains. Check beachreportcard.org before you go — it gives weekly A‒F grades for every LA beach.
Best Time to Visit Santa Monica Beach
Weekday mornings are the secret. The beach is nearly empty, parking is easy, and you have the whole coast to yourself. This is when regulars go.
Weekend afternoons are packed but alive. Volleyball, people-watching, the pier at full energy. If you want the classic Santa Monica experience, this is when you get it.
Late afternoon into sunset, any day is the best window. The light is unreal — everything goes golden — and the temperature is perfect. The pier lights come on as the sun drops.
Best months: April through May and September through October. Warm enough for the beach, not so packed you can't move. Summer (June‒August) is peak season — expect crowds, higher parking rates, and competition for everything.
June Gloom is real. May and June mornings are often overcast until noon, but it almost always burns off to a sunny afternoon. It's a local quirk you learn to live with.
Hotels Near Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica has a ton of hotels, but these are the ones worth your money.
The Georgian Hotel
Vibe: Old Hollywood glamour, art deco, ocean views. Why it's great: Built in 1933, this iconic hotel recently underwent a massive renovation. It's right on Ocean Avenue, across from Palisades Park, with stunning views of the pier and the Pacific. The Veranda restaurant is a scene.
Hotel Casa del Mar
Vibe: Mediterranean villa, luxury, beach club. Why it's great: Sister property to Shutters on the Beach, Casa del Mar feels like a European escape. It's right on the sand, with a beautiful pool, spa, and a lively lobby bar. Perfect for a romantic getaway.
Shutters on the Beach
Vibe: New England beach house, understated luxury, celebrity spotting. Why it's great: The most famous hotel in Santa Monica, Shutters is where celebrities stay. It's right on the sand, with two oceanfront restaurants, a pool, and a spa. Impeccable service and a relaxed, elegant atmosphere.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Vibe: Modern, minimalist, wellness-focused. Why it's great: Designed by Kelly Wearstler, this hotel is a design lover's dream. It's a few blocks from the beach, with a rooftop pool, a fantastic spa, and two excellent restaurants. Great for a stylish, health-conscious stay.
Santa Monica Beach FAQ
Can you have a bonfire at Santa Monica Beach? No. Bonfires and fire pits are not allowed at Santa Monica Beach. For beach bonfires, head to Dockweiler Beach, which has designated fire rings.
Where should I watch the sunset in Santa Monica? Three great spots: the end of the pier (most dramatic), Palisades Park bluffs (most comfortable — benches and ocean views without sand), or on the beach near lifeguard towers south of the pier.
Is there free parking at Santa Monica Beach? Not at the beach lots — those are flat-rate. Downtown parking structures offer the first 60 minutes free (changed from 90 minutes in January 2025). Your best free option is taking the Metro E Line in and skipping parking entirely.
How far is Venice Beach from Santa Monica Beach? About 1.5 miles. A 15-minute bike ride or 30-minute walk along the beach path. Most people visit both in one trip.
Are dogs allowed on Santa Monica Beach? Dogs are not allowed on Santa Monica State Beach. There's an unofficial off-leash area at the far north end near the border with Pacific Palisades, and the official Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach if you want a proper dog beach day.
Can you drink alcohol on Santa Monica Beach? No. Alcohol is prohibited on all Santa Monica beaches. But The Bungalow, Chez Jay, and plenty of other bars are a short walk from the sand.
Is Santa Monica beach good for groups? Yes, Santa Monica Beach is one of the best beaches in LA for groups. The wide sandy beach has plenty of space, and the nearby pier and boardwalk offer entertainment, food, and activities for everyone.
What is there to do in Santa Monica besides the beach? Santa Monica offers the famous Santa Monica Pier with its amusement park, the Third Street Promenade for shopping, excellent restaurants, and the nearby Palisades Park with ocean views.
