Address: Ocean Avenue at Colorado, Santa Monica
Phone: (310) 394-3264
Park features: Restrooms, Easy Hiking, Picnic Tables, Parking Lot, Drinking Water, ADA Accessible, Historical Sites
Beach Activities Ride a wave or wade in one. Work on your tan. Build a sandcastle or build up your body. Pedal or skate along the sand. Play games that are good for the body and the brain. Or just watch the waves kiss the shore. On Santa Monica Beach you can be as active or laid back as you want to be. Because in Santa Monica being who you want to be is the way of life. Pier What people do on the Pier today isn’t very different from what they did more than 100 years ago. They fish day or night, watch the waves, view the wonders of the undersea world, dance under the stars, ride a carousel horse or a roller coaster, dine at an ocean view restaurant, entertain themselves at an enticing arcade and shop for souvenirs. The Pier is a place for families and fun, for amusement and amazement. Palisades Park The perfect vantage point to see the sweep of Santa Monica Bay and the Pacific Ocean is from Palisades Park which sits atop Santa Monica’s famed sandstone cliffs. This gathering place for locals and visitors alike is also home to public art installations, a meditation center and the Santa Monica Visitors Center. In this ideal setting, with its majestic palms, lush green lawns and flower-filled gardens you’ll discover the quintessential beauty of California. Muscle Beach As you stroll along Ocean Front Walk you’ll come upon California’s original Muscle Beach, the famous outdoor workout venue. Newly restored in 2000, this bit of beach has attracted suntanned fitness buffs since 1930. The combination of gorgeous location and wide array of gymnastic and balance apparatus draw fitness experts and novices alike. There’s even an exhibition area where the fittest are likely to do some flexing for you. Chess Park Just past the Volleyball courts at the south side of the Pier on Ocean Front Walk is the International Chess Park, Santa Monica’s sunny response to New York City’s Washington Square Park. This public installation has recently been refurbished. Its chess tables draw game lovers so don’t be reluctant to stand and watch, but no advice, please.
Trails & hiking
Featured route: Santa Monica Pier, Boardwalk, and Beach Trail (trail details & live conditions on AllTrails)
- Distance: 3.4 mi (5.5 km) — Loop
- Elevation gain: 39 ft (12 m), high point 19 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Typical time: 1–1.5 hr
- Rating: 4.6/5 (939 AllTrails reviews)
- Good for: Walking, Running
- On the trail: Dogs on leash, Kid-friendly, Partially paved, Beaches, Views, Wildlife
Conditions vary by season. Check live weather and air quality on the AllTrails trail page before heading out.
Location
Ocean Avenue at Colorado, Santa Monica
Approximate coordinates: 34.0095, -118.4974
View on OpenStreetMap
Related documents
Nearby parks
Park description restored from the 2017 lamountains.com archive (Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy). Trail statistics courtesy of AllTrails. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
