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About Santa Monica State Beach – South Beach in Santa Monica, California

The south part of Santa Monica State Beach is located south of the Santa Monica Pier and north of Venice Beach. On the other side of the pier you’ll find North Beach which continues in that direction to Pacific Palisades. The city of Santa Monica operates this California state beach and Los Angeles County provides the lifeguards. It’s a popular beach to say the least and is one of the LA area’s best beaches.

South of the Santa Monica Pier there are several different parks and public parking lots with beach access. These parks have open fields, sport courts, picnic areas, playgrounds for kids, and even a large human-scale chess board. The original Muscle Beach which began in the 1930’s is still located near the pier with workout facilities for bodybuilders. Bike riders and skaters zoom along on the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, a paved path that winds through the back part of the beach. Volleyball courts are all along this wide sandy beach that is big enough to land a jumbo jet on.

The pier is home to Pacific Park Amusement Park which has thrill rides and arcade games, restaurants, shops, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. If you haven’t been to the pier before, make this a destination on your trip to LA.

Parking lots for Santa Monica State Beach are located near the pier and along Ocean Avenue and Barnard Way. The main park centered on South Beach is at the west end of Ocean Park Boulevard.

Address
2600 Barnard Way
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone
310-458-8300
Park Name
Santa Monica State Beach, South Beach Park, Ocean View Park, Crescent Bay Park, Bernard Way Linear Park, Beach Green, Chess Park
Other Names
Ocean Park Beach, Original Muscle Beach
Owner
State Park
Pet Details
No dogs allowed on the beach
Fees
Fees for parking
Activities
Biking, Skating, Walking, Tennis, Volleyball, Fishing, Surfing, Swimming, Sunbathing, Basketball, Chess, Beach Walking
Amenities
Restrooms, Showers, Playground, Picnic Tables, Grass Park, Volleyball Courts, Paved Bike Path, Walking Path, Tennis Courts, Accessible Features, Lifeguard, Bike Rentals, Fishing Pier
Map of Santa Monica State Beach – South Beach
Santa Monica, US
2:29 pm, March 28, 2024
temperature icon 65°F
L: 54° H: 65°
Feels like 64.31 °F clear sky
Wind gusts: 8 m/s
UV Index: 6.3
Precipitation: 0 inch
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 6:45 am
Sunset: 7:11 pm
Humidity 76 %
Pressure1016 mb
Wind 8 m/s

Nearby Beaches

Venice City Beach

1 miles away

Venice City Beach is the main beach in the Venice District of Los Angeles. It stretches from the Venice...

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Sorrento Beach

1.6 miles away

Sorrento Beach is the northernmost beach in Santa Monica State Beach yet just one mile from the Santa Monica...

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Nearby Attractions

Nearby Lodging

Reviews

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5
1 review(s)
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Rated 5.0 out of 5
April 12, 2023

Amazing beach, but bon fires are not allowed on this beach. thumbs down for that.

Zack F