Tongva Park is a stunning contemporary city paradise in the middle of downtown Santa Monica in California, a block away from the beach and the Santa Monica Pier. It was inaugurated in 2013, and designed by the architect James Corner, who also assisted in the creation of the High Line in New York. The park is a mixture of natural landscapes and artistic design, which has a combination of winding paths, gardens, fountains, playgrounds, and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. Tourists are allowed to rest on the lawns, have picnics, view sculpture art, play with children in the splash pad, participate in community activities, or just sit and have fresh coastal air.
What Can You See & Do at Tongva Park?
Here are the six best things to see and do at the Tongva Park in Santa Monica:
- Explore the Themed Garden Zones: Themed areas Tongva Park consists of four well-designed areas: a Discovery Hill, an Observation Hill, a Garden Hill, and a Gathering Hill. All spaces have diverse landforms with indigenous California plants, dark walks and seats that accentuate the marine ecosystem and biodiversity of the region.
- Relax at the Serene Water Features: The contemporary fountains and flowing waterfalls in the park have a relaxing effect. The visitors sit next to the reflecting pools or walk by the graceful streams passing through the park, which provides an ideal location to relax and hear the water flowing.
- Kids’ Playgrounds & Splash Pad: The kids enjoy the fancy playgrounds of the park. It is a family-friendly place as it has slides, climbing structures, and a splash pad on which kids can safely have fun and cool off during sunny days.
- Observation Points with City & Ocean Views, Picnic, Lounge & Green Spaces: The observation hill provides observation of the city skyline, the Santa Monica pier and the Pacific Ocean. The extensive grass and shadowy picnic areas of the park also make it a great place to have an outdoor meal or to sit and relax, or read in a calm surrounding.
- Art, Sculptures & Design Walks: Art, Sculptures and Design Walks in Tongva Park is an outdoor art space containing modern sculpture, architecture, and landscape art as a cultural legacy of the Tongva people. Strolling in the park and walking through a breathing art gallery, which unites history, nature, and design, is a wonderful experience.
- Photography & Content Capture Walking & Jogging Paths: Tongva Park has an artistic design, giving it a view of the ocean, flora, and fauna, making it a dream location for a photographer. The well-kept walking and jogging paths are ideal for taking a soothing walk, exercising, or making gorgeous photos and videos during sunset.
How to Get to Tongva Park?
Here are the five best ways to go to the Tongva Park in Santa Monica:
- By Car: Tongva Park is easy to reach by car, and it is located at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and 1615 and the Santa Monica Pier. The nearby parking facilities are metered street parking and public parking structures.
- By Public Transit: You can access the park by the route of the Big Blue Bus or the Metro E Line (Expo), which serves the Downtown Santa Monica Station.
- By Limo Service: To ride more comfortably and stylishly, visitors can hire private limousine service Los Angeles, available all over Los Angeles and drop them off at the entrance of the park.
- By Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Driving is the most convenient way to go to Tongva Park, and you get dropped off at the main entrance on Ocean Avenue.
- By Bike or Scooter: Santa Monica has the best bike lanes and shared electric scooter services. Riding along Ocean Avenue or the nearby beach path is an easy way to reach Tongva Park.
What Are the Best Times to Visit Tongva Park?
The most appropriate seasons to visit Tongva Park in Santa Monica are spring and fall, when it is not too hot and the skies are clear and native plants in the park are in blossom. Mornings and afternoons are the time to have peaceful walks, enjoy amazing ocean views, and the temperature is lower, whereas during sunsets, the light is beautiful and golden, which adds to the modern landscape of the park and the Pacific Ocean overviews. Summer is also pleasant, but it is more crowded with tourists, whereas winter is quieter and best for those who like fewer people.
Where to Eat Near Tongva Park?
Here are the three best places to eat near the Tongva Park in Santa Monica:
- True Food Kitchen (Healthy Californian Cuisine): True Food Kitchen is a 5-minute walk from Tongva Park and has a fresh and health-based menu, which is seasonally driven. It provides a variety of meals including quinoa bowls, grilled fish, fresh salads and refreshing juices. Its outdoor seating and casual atmosphere are ideal for having brunch or lunch in the park.
- HiHo Cheeseburger (Casual Local Favourite): HiHo Cheeseburger is a restaurant that is approximately two blocks away from Tongva Park, and they serve juicy and tasty burgers made of pure Wagyu beef, which is grass-fed. The restaurant also has Crispy fries, creamy milkshakes and homemade pies. It is a good place to have a quick bite and a casual dinner in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
- The Albright (Seafood by the Pier): The Albright is one of the oldest family restaurants in the neighbourhood of the Santa Monica pier, a short walk away from the park. It serves its delicious seafood, including shrimp tacos, fish and chips, calamari and clam chowder with breathtaking oceanic views. The laid-back seaside environment makes it a wonderful location to relax after sightseeing in the park and at the pier.
Is Tongva Park Worth Visiting?
Tongva Park is a wonderful place to see, as it is a veritable combination of nature, art and architecture in the centre of Santa Monica. The park is a modern city oasis modelled with beautiful gardens containing native species plants, scenic walkways, fountains, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Pier. Its open lawns, playgrounds and shaded seating make it ideal for families, jogging and picnicking. Tongva Park gives you an opportunity to forget about the hectic city environment and feel the contact with nature.
