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Where is Santa Monica State Beach,Santa Monica, California?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: March 13, 2026, 13:58 ET

Santa Monica State Beach is located in California, USA. It lies between Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach and is situated along the Pacific Ocean coast. It is famous for its wide sandy beach, swimming, sunbathing, and outdoor activities.

Santa Monica State Beach Location Map,Santa Monica, California

Top Attractions Inside Santa Monica State Beach

  • Wide Sandy Shoreline – Perfect for sunbathing, beach games, and scenic strolls.
  • Volleyball Courts – Popular spot for casual and competitive beach volleyball.
  • Bike & Walking Path – Scenic trail along the coast for cycling, skating, and jogging.
  • Muscle Beach Gym – Outdoor fitness area famous for strength training and acrobatics.
  • Beachfront Restaurants & Cafes – Spots to enjoy ocean views with food and drinks.
  • Lifeguard Towers – Iconic colorful towers providing safety and classic photo opportunities.

Santa Monica State Beach Facts

Official NameSanta Monica State Beach
LocationSanta Monica, Los Angeles County, California, USA — Pacific Coast / Santa Monica Bay
Latitude & Longitude34.0099° N, 118.4973° W
Total AreaApprox. 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of sandy coastline along Santa Monica Bay, total area 1,500 acres (≈607 hectares) including beach and park areas
Established / OpenedDesignated as a California State Beach; formally managed by the City of Santa Monica and California Department of Parks and Recreation
Managed ByCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation / City of Santa Monica
RegionSanta Monica / Los Angeles County / Southern California
AddressOcean Avenue & Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Zip Code90401
Area Code310 / 424
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZonePacific Time (PT) – UTC−8 Standard / UTC−7 Daylight Saving
Theme / ConceptCoastal recreation, beach activities, sunbathing, swimming, volleyball, family-friendly, scenic oceanfront, outdoor fitness
Main Sections / AreasNorth Beach, Santa Monica Pier area, South Beach, bike and pedestrian paths, volleyball courts, picnic areas, restrooms, lifeguard stations
Famous AttractionsSanta Monica Pier, Pacific Ocean views, sandy beaches, bike and walking paths, volleyball courts, nearby parks and playgrounds, ocean sunsets
Annual VisitorsApprox. 8–10 million visitors per year
Entry Fee TypeFree public beach access; paid parking and pier attractions
Ticket Price RangeParking: $5–$15 per day; pier rides and attractions vary $3–$35 per activity
Ticket OptionsFree beach access, paid parking, Pacific Park rides tickets, group events, guided tours and fitness classes
Best Time to VisitYear-round; summer for full beach experience, spring and fall for mild weather and fewer crowds; early morning or late afternoon for jogging or photography
Nearby AirportLos Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 8 miles (13 km); Bob Hope Airport (BUR) – 25 miles (40 km)
TransportationCar, taxi/ride-share, public buses, Metro Expo Line (light rail), walking and biking along beach paths, parking lots and street parking
Official Websitehttps://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=615

Distances from Santa Monica State Beach to Nearby Landmarks

  • Santa Monica Pier – 0.2 km (0.1 mi)
  • Palisades Park – 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
  • Third Street Promenade – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Venice Beach – 3 km (1.9 mi)
  • Santa Monica College – 2 km (1.2 mi)
  • Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills) – 14 km (8.7 mi)
  • Getty Center – 18 km (11.2 mi)
  • Marina del Rey – 8 km (5 mi)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 20 km (12.4 mi)
  • Downtown Los Angeles – 27 km (16.8 mi)
  • Hollywood – 28 km (17.4 mi)
  • Griffith Observatory – 32 km (19.9 mi)
  • Universal Studios Hollywood – 31 km (19.3 mi)
  • Malibu Pier – 29 km (18 mi)
  • Dodger Stadium – 28 km (17.4 mi)

Top Places to Visit in California

Explore the most popular tourist places in California. The list below includes famous beaches, national parks, historic sites, and scenic attractions across the state, along with map locations.

Places (A -J)Places (J - P)Places (P - Z)
Alcatraz IslandJoshua Tree VillagePebble Beach 17-Mile Drive
Angel Island State ParkKings Canyon National ParkPebble Beach
Anza-Borrego Desert State ParkLa Jolla CovePfeiffer Beach
Badwater BasinLaguna BeachPinnacles National Park
Balboa IslandLake Shasta CavernsPoint Lobos State Natural Reserve
Balboa ParkLake Tahoe Scenic DrivePoint Reyes National Seashore
Bixby BridgeLassen Volcanic National ParkRedwood National and State Parks
Big Sur CoastlineMalibu BeachSan Diego Zoo
Big SurMalibu Creek State ParkSan Francisco Cable Car System
Bodie State Historic ParkMalibu Lagoon State BeachSanta Barbara Mission
Burney FallsMammoth Lakes BasinSanta Monica Pier
Carlsbad BeachMission DoloresSanta Monica State Beach
Channel Islands National ParkMission San Antonio de PaduaSequoia National Park California
Coronado BeachMission San Carlos BorromeoSonoma County
Crissy FieldMission San Juan CapistranoSonoma Wine Country
Crystal Cove State ParkMission San Luis Obispo de TolosaTahoe National Forest
Death Valley National ParkMission Santa BarbaraThe Broad Museum
Disneyland ParkMono Lake Tufa State Natural ReserveThe Exploratorium
Donner Memorial State ParkMonterey Bay AquariumThe Getty Center
Emerald Bay State ParkMount Lassen Peak TrailHenry W. Coe State Park
Fort Point National Historic SiteMount ShastaJ. Paul Getty Villa
Golden Gate BridgeMount Tamalpais State ParkThe Presidio
Golden Gate ParkMount WhitneyUSS Midway Museum
Griffith ObservatoryMount Whitney TrailThe Wave Organ
Griffith ParkMuir Woods National MonumentTorrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Hollywood SignNapa Valley Wine CountryTransamerica Pyramid
Hollywood Walk of FameNewport BeachUniversal Studios Hollywood
Joshua Tree National ParkPalace of Fine ArtsYosemite National Park
Joshua Tree Scenic Drive

Explore the complete list of places to visit in the United States, including national parks, cities, landmarks, and famous attractions.