Santa Monica Beach is a historic, 3.5-mile-long California coastline west of downtown Los Angeles and bounded by Malibu and Venice Beach. The area was used as a Spanish encampment area in the past, but it was a prosperous seaside resort during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Santa Monica Pier opened in 1909, and the Original Muscle Beach gained popularity in the 1930s as a fitness centre. The beach is arranged in blocks, one of which is the pier of fame, and the north part is divided by the Palisades cliffs, and the south part is on a level with the city and has the International Chess Park and beach complex. There are numerous activities for visitors like swimming, surfing and beach volleyball, biking or walking along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail. The famous Santa Monica Pier, home to the Pacific Park, amusement rides, and the old-fashioned carousel and is a major centre of entertainment among millions of visitors to California.
What Can You See & Do at Santa Monica Beach?
Here are the eight best things to see and do at Santa Monica Beach, California:
- Relax on the Sandy Shores: Spread on the broad golden beaches, bathe in the sea air and catch the Californian sunshine. There is ample space available on the beach to relax and sunbathe or have a picnic, or just relax with a good book and enjoy the sound of the waves.
- Swim, Surf & Play Water Sports: There is a swimming area on the beach where the water is shallow. Always follow safety measures. Enjoy playing with water.
- Bike or Skate the Beach Path: There is a well-known 22-mile-long coast bike trail called Marvin Braude Bike Trail (also known as the Strand). E-bikes, rollerblades, and rental bikes are available to explore beautiful ocean vistas, including Santa Monica to the beach in Venice.
- Visit Santa Monica Pier & Pacific Park: Pacific Park amusement area is included in the iconic pier and has a solar-powered Ferris wheel, roller coaster, arcade games and street performers. Visitors enjoy local food booths, souvenirs and live music events.
- Yoga, Beach Fitness & Outdoor Workouts: Fitness enthusiasts are also attracted to the beach, where they are involved in yoga, beach volleyball, and outdoor workouts, either on the sand or the Original Muscle Beach gym adjacent to the pier, an old-fashioned outdoor gym accessible to all.
- Catch a Sunset: Sunsets in Santa Monica are famous all over the world. When the sun goes down behind the Pacific, the sky is laden with brilliant colours of orange, pink and purple, which is ideal for taking pictures or having a romantic walk.
- Explore the Annenberg Community Beach House: This community beach is a facility with a pool, cafeteria, playground, art exhibits and beach rentals. It is very family-friendly and is popular among visitors who want to enjoy their time at the beach in a well-organised manner and have the option of using restrooms and showers.
- Enjoy Beachfront Dining & Snacks: Santa Monica offers casual food trucks and the fine dining restaurants of Ocean Avenue. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood, smoothies, and local California cuisine that are served with views of the ocean.
How to Get to Santa Monica Beach?
Here are the five best ways to go to the Santa Monica Beach, California:
- By Metro: The Metro E Line light rail is the most efficient and cost-effective route out of Downtown Los Angeles, and the direct route between the 7th Street Station and the Downtown Santa Monica Station. It takes less than an hour.
- By Bus: The Metro Rapid 720 buses and Wilshire Boulevard connecting Downtown LA and Santa Monica, and the local bus Big Blue (the route 3 or Rapid 3 of the LAX City Bus Centre, or some local routes of the Santa Monica) covers the whole city and the nearby areas.
- By Limo Service: To have a more unique and direct ride, you can hire a limousine service Los Angeles, and the ride takes approximately 17 minutes in the same direction as Downtown LA.
- By Car: Driving is the most convenient and flexible mode of transportation, and a ride between Downtown LA and the area takes approximately 17-20 minutes under normal traffic. On-site, they have many public parking buildings and car parking lots at the beach.
- By Bike/Scooter: Bikes and scooters are also easy ways of transportation. Always wear a helmet while driving.
What are the Best Times to Visit Santa Monica Beach?
The most appropriate time to see the Santa Monica Beach is based on what you like in terms of weather and the number of people. To enjoy the most pleasant weather and the most favourable swimming season is from July to August. It is better to visit during September and October, when the weather is pleasant and rates are relatively lower. If you do not want to pay much money for accommodation, then the winter period between December and February is the most appropriate time to visit, the weather is not very hot, and it is also possible that it will rain.
Where to Eat Near Santa Monica Beach? (Menu, Ambience, Staff)?
Here are the four best eating places at Santa Monica Beach, California:
- The Albright (on the Pier): The Albright is situated on the back part of the Santa Monica Pier and offers a very lively, sit-down meal serving mainly seafood. The environment is informal, quite busy, and the employees are efficient in their services. It is a nice choice when one is looking to have a full meal and also a busy, popular atmosphere.
- Blue Plate Taco (Beachfront): To make Mexican food more contemporary, Blue Plate Taco is the best option located right on the sand and has a very colourful and upscale casual dining experience. The menu includes modern Mexican cuisine, and the environment is stylish and modern, which accentuates the proximity to the beach. The employees are mostly hailed as being hospitable and sensitive, adding up to a comfortable and pleasant meal.
- Big Dean’s Ocean Front Café: the closest café to the beach is Big Dean’s Ocean Front Café, which has its tables on the sand. It is a very relaxed and busy place, which makes it an excellent family restaurant or a place to have classic American cuisine such as burgers and fries in a casual environment. The employees have a reputation for being amiable and operating effectively in a high-paced setting.
- Perry’s Café & Beach Rentals: The Café & Beach Rentals by Perry is a cheaper alternative, which is right on the beach. It is casual, beachy, and has sandwiches and salads on the menu. It’s best for a snack or a light lunch at the beach. Its atmosphere is extremely relaxed.
Is Santa Monica Beach Worth Visiting?
The Santa Monica Beach is a place that is worth visiting, especially when you want the archetypal Southern California experience of a large, tidy beach with plenty of entertainment activities all around. It has an energetic environment, fine sand, and the legendary Santa Monica Pier with the only Ferris wheel in the world, which is powered by sun, a roller coaster, an aquarium and a host of other shops and street entertainers. There is the Third Street Promenade, which is easily accessible on foot, has shopping and restaurants and the walkable Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which can easily connect with the other coastlines areas such as Venice Beach. It becomes very crowded during peak season. It is rather a fun beach than a relaxing getaway.
