Santa Monica State Beach is a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) California State Park located right along the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica. Operated by the city of Santa Monica, this iconic coastal destination is easily accessible via wooden pathways designed for beachgoers with disabilities, alongside a dedicated bike path and rental services. Overlooking the coast from atop nearby cliffs, Palisades Park provides exceptional vantage points across Santa Monica Beach and the surrounding Pacific Ocean.
The expansive sandy shoreline caters to a dynamic mix of water sports and traditional beach relaxation. Visitors can jump into the Pacific Ocean for a swim, catch waves on a surfboard, or head out on a stand-up paddleboard. On land, the beach features dedicated volleyball courts, picnic spaces, playgrounds, parks, concessions, and the famous Muscle Beach. For added safety, the strand includes staffed lifeguard stations, alongside conveniently placed restrooms across the park.
This versatile California strand serves everyone from active surfers, paddleboarders, and swimmers to families enjoying the playgrounds and parks. History enthusiasts can explore the 1909 Santa Monica Pier featuring the 1922 Looff Hippodrome Carousel, while chess players can utilize the public tables and human-scale sidewalk board at International Chess Park. Nature lovers can also spot nesting Snowy Plovers or appreciate ongoing native coastal strand habitat restoration projects along the sand.
01 Highlights & things to do
What makes this stretch of coast worth the trip — from the water to the walks, wildlife and the views.
Compiled from Wikipedia · conditions vary with weather, tides and the season.
Beach map & the area
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the beach and its surroundings — the coastline, access roads, nearby towns and where to park. Zoom in for detail, or open it live in a full map.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free).
02 Getting there
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Road | Located directly along the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica. |
Getting there · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · always double-check access & ferries
03 Nearby & around
Other beaches, coves, towns and sights within easy reach — worth stringing together into a coastal day.
Good to know
- Smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on Santa Monica State Beach.
- Staffed lifeguard stations are positioned along the beach for water safety.
- Wooden pathways are available across the sand for beachgoers with disabilities.
- The OEHHA has issued a safe eating advisory for local fish caught off the beach due to mercury or PCB levels.
