Photo of Santa Monica Beach with bright sand surface

Photo of Santa Monica Beach with turquoise water surface

Photo of Santa Monica Beach with long straight shore

Photo of Santa Monica Beach with very clean level of cleanliness

Photo of Santa Monica Beach amenities area

Photo of Santa Monica Beach and the settlement

8.1

Very good

Santa Monica Beach

Los Angeles, United States

#29 out of 385 in California

8.1

Very good

Free entrance Amenities beach Easy access Bright sand Sand bottom Good for Sup surfing Good for Surfing

Click on any feature to view all similar beaches in area

Located within the settlement

Santa Monica • 1.2 km

Map of beach

Park Will Rogers State Historic Park

5.2km

Hiking Area Los Leones Canyon

7.1km

Sports Complex Venice Beach Skatepark

3.1km

Tourist Attraction Will Rogers State Beach

9.4 - Excellent 4.6km

Museum The Getty Villa

7.4km

Museum The Getty

7.9km

Tourist Attraction Parker Mesa Overlook

9.6 - Exceptional 8.9km

Tourist Attraction Trailer Canyon Trailhead

9.6 - Exceptional 9.6km

Historical Landmark Venice Sign

3.3km

Historical Landmark Muscle Beach Venice Hall of Fame Betty Weider

3.4km

Historical Landmark Venice Canals

3.9km

View all on map

About

Santa Monica Beach is located on the Pacific ocean and it is in the 29th place out of 385 beaches in the California region 574.1 km away from its center, the city of Sacramento. It is one of the beaches of Santa Monica settlement, just 1.2 km from its center. The beach is located in an urban area.

It is a long lasting coastline with turquoise water and bright sand, so you don't need special shoes. The entrance to the water is very smooth. This beach is suitable for different categories of people, lonely travellers, relaxation getaway lovers etc. It is partially crowded during the high season.

Santa Monica Beach coast is free for all. This beach has the following amenities, beach restaurant, changing rooms, showers, toilets. During the season this beach line is supervised by a lifeguard.

In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can also take part in other activities, sup-surfing. There are also some surf spots.

This beach is easily accessible, it is located very close to road. Parking is located directly on the beach.

3 more beaches are also available within a 5 km radius. The best one is Will Rogers Beach II, which has a rating of 7.8.

Santa Monica Beach is located in California within Santa Monica, which makes it easily accessible and therefore popular among travelers. In the high season this may cause some discomfort, due to the large influx of tourists.

The beach stretches on the sunny coast, within the boundaries of the settlement, it is not difficult to get to it. If your stay is located not far from the beach, you can reach it by walking. In this case you will not be tied to finding parking or to the schedule of public transport. If you are traveling by car just use your navigator. In any case, do not forget about the availability of public transport and taxis.

Weather

history

+21 ^o C +18 ^o C

Air temperature

4 M/S

Wind

+20 ^o C

Water temperature

1.3 M

Wave height

Located within the settlement

Santa Monica • 1.2 km

Map of beach

Park Will Rogers State Historic Park

5.2km

Hiking Area Los Leones Canyon

7.1km

Sports Complex Venice Beach Skatepark

3.1km

Tourist Attraction Will Rogers State Beach

9.4 - Excellent 4.6km

Museum The Getty Villa

7.4km

Museum The Getty

7.9km

Tourist Attraction Parker Mesa Overlook

9.6 - Exceptional 8.9km

Tourist Attraction Trailer Canyon Trailhead

9.6 - Exceptional 9.6km

Historical Landmark Venice Sign

3.3km

Historical Landmark Muscle Beach Venice Hall of Fame Betty Weider

3.4km

Historical Landmark Venice Canals

3.9km

View all on map

Booking.com

Stays nearby

12 accomodations nearby

620m from the beach

7.7 Very good

Sonder The Beacon

Hotel

Located at nearest locality

Santa Monica • 900m from center

Booking.com View deals

7 Large Down Town Santa Monica Apartment

730m from the beach

7.8 Very good

7 Large Down Town Santa Monica Apartment

Entire Apartment

Located at nearest locality

Santa Monica • 1km from center

Booking.com View deals

730m from the beach

Casa Playa: Luxe, Stylish, Secure Condo 4 blocks to Ocean Ave

Entire Apartment

Located at nearest locality

Santa Monica • 580m from center

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1km from the beach

The Pacifica - AMAZING Coastal-chic condo with 2 Master Suites in Santa Monica

Entire Apartment

Located at nearest locality

Santa Monica • 230m from center

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View all nearest stays

Booking.com

Area

Average rating of nearest beaches is 7.6 (Very good)

What to do in Santa Monica Beach? Are there any attractions or entertainments in region?

If you like outdoor activities, the Santa Monica Beach can offer such an experience. In particular - SUP surfing. The beach stands out for an excellent base for this kind of sport. And the bonus is the gorgeous scenery from the water. Just try, we recommend it!

For those who wish to engage in something more extreme than a lazy holiday on the beach, it is worth noting that Santa Monica Beach is excellent for surfing. This kind of activity is suitable for beginners and for professionals. The waves in this region you can see in the photos above or study the reviews by our users. And by the way, on the beach you can take surfing coaches!

View map

Nearest Beaches

3.3km

Connected beach

Will Rogers Beach II Will Rogers Beach II

7.8 Very good

3.4km

Connected beach

Venice Beach Venice Beach

7.7 Very good

4.7km

Will Rogers Beach Will Rogers Beach

7.5 Very good

6.9km

Castle Rock Beach Castle Rock Beach

7.4 Good

7.5km

Ratner Beach Ratner Beach

6.8 Good

7.9km

Playa Del Rey Beach Playa Del Rey Beach

8.3 Very good

8.1km

Rocky Beach Rocky Beach

7.6 Very good

9.8km

Dockweiler Beach Dockweiler Beach

7.7 Very good

Localities

Nearest

Santa Monica • 1.2km

Main locality of province

Sacramento • 574.1km

Transport

Airport

SMO • 4.4km

Bus Station

Pacific Coast Hwy / Topanga Canyon • 8.2km

Train Station

Estacion Del Metro En El Centro De Los Angeles • 22.5km

All nearest beaches

You can set the search radius & filter nearest beaches by features

Recommended Activities

What to do in Santa Monica Beach? Are there any attractions or entertainments in region?

Travelers reviews

Average Reviews rating

8.1 Very good

Contribute

Share your experience with other travelers

Average Reviews rating

8.1 Very good

Nolan McAllister

8 Very good

It's worth noting that beach-goers can purchase volleyballs for $17 if they forget to bring their own. The beach is equipped with numerous volleyball nets, making it a perfect spot for beach volleyball enthusiasts. Despite its popularity among tourists, the beach also attracts many locals who appreciate its serene and inviting atmosphere. The lively boardwalk, stunning views, and picturesque pier are just a few of the many features that make this beach a must-visit destination. And let's not forget about the adorable furry friends who also enjoy this wonderful spot.

March 2023

Kavin Jayasuriya

10 Exceptional

This is an amazing location to park your car and quickly reach the pier and the beach. The price we paid, just $7, was a bargain in my opinion!

March 2023

Sarina Liang

10 Exceptional

This beach is a fantastic spot to take a break, relax with loved ones, and soak up the natural beauty. Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely stroll along the shore, taking in the refreshing sea breeze, or catching a stunning sunset, this beach has got you covered. Additionally, the mini amusement park offers a great opportunity to let loose and have some fun, while the street artists, souvenir shops, and food carts add to the festive atmosphere. Overall, this beach is an enjoyable and exciting destination for all ages.

March 2023

Nivardo

10 Exceptional

The ambiance of the beach is simply fantastic, exuding a positive energy that uplifts the spirit. The sunset is truly a sight to behold, leaving one in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds us.

March 2023

Lena Teller

10 Exceptional

In the midst of January, with no idea what the summer may hold, I had the pleasure of visiting a beautiful beach. It was easily accessible and the parking was surprisingly affordable, even for the off-season. The beach was immaculate, and while I cannot speak for its cleanliness at all times, it was certainly pristine on this particular day. I was pleased to see plenty of trash cans, which made it easy for visitors to dispose of their waste responsibly. My children were delighted to play in the playground area on the beach, and have already expressed their desire to return to this particular spot again.

March 2023

Questions and answers

What is the water and sand quality of the Santa Monica Beach?

The coastline of Santa Monica Beach is covered with golden sand. It's very clean, the surface has a mixed fraction. The water is impeccably turquoise. The entrance to the water is sandy, which makes it very comfortable.

What are the key activities at Santa Monica Beach?

For the main activity - sunbathing, there are no sun loungers on the Santa Monica Beach, so you need to take personal items with you and there is no natural shade, so be careful on a hot day.

The Santa Monica Beach is also suitable for the following water activities:

Sup surfing (Sup touring)
Surfing

Is the Santa Monica Beach good for swimming?

The entrance to the water is very smooth, the bottom is comfortable. The area has the high prevalence of sharks so all swimmers should be very careful. In the season the beach is attended by lifeguard.

The waves in the Santa Monica Beach are usually strong.

There are few boats in the bay. So the overall recommendation of the Santa Monica Beach for swimming is positive.

Is the Santa Monica Beach good for families?

Family travelers should consider the following features of the beach. On the beach, there are minimal sufficient amenities such as sun loungers or beach bar. It's covered with sand and the entrance to the water is very smooth.

Is the Santa Monica Beach secluded and good for relaxing?

There are several buildings near the beach. During the high season, the beach can get very crowded, making it an unsuitable place for those looking for a relaxing holiday.

Is there any food or beverages in the area of Santa Monica Beach?

The bar is located right on the Santa Monica Beach.

What is the closest accommodation to the Santa Monica Beach?

There are 699 places to stay in the Santa Monica Beach area.

Some of the best hotels in the area of Santa Monica Beach include:

Sonder The Beacon

The most popular other types of accommodations nearby:

How far is the Santa Monica Beach from parking?

The Santa Monica Beach has a parking spot. It is not very large, so in high season it can be busy. The approximate distance from parking is less than 100 metres.

Are there any attractions nearby Santa Monica Beach?

There are 1 attractions near Santa Monica Beach that are popular with travelers. The nearest are Will Rogers State Beach located in 4.5 km. See the attractions section for details.

What is the best time of the year to visit Santa Monica Beach?

The month with the highest temperature in Santa Monica Beach is September. Its average value reaches 25°C. The warmest sea is in September, the average value is 22°C. The coldest month is March with air temperature 17°C and water 15°C. See more details in weather section.

Is the beach good for sunbathing?

Santa Monica Beach (California) is not fully equipped for sunbathing. However, if you are not picky and are willing to spread out on a towel, you can sunbathe here as well. The natural shade will allow you to hide from the scorching sun in the peak of its activity. Well, the photos of our visitors will be the best proof of that, all the available photos of the beach are above.Santa Monica Beach (California) is a place for true nature lovers, but if you like sunbathing on the beach, then this location is not the best option. There are no sunbeds and umbrellas, and even there is no natural shade to hide you from the scorching sun. From positives, the presence of sand, on which you can sit comfortably. But do not forget sunscreen for this place, such a recommendation is relevant. Photos of the beach you can see above. All photos are taken by our visitors personally.