Santa Monica State Beach

Santa Monica State Beach is a protected coastal area along the Pacific Ocean in California, extending roughly 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) and covering sandy shores, pathways, and public areas. The grounds run from Will Rogers State Beach in the north to the border with Venice Beach in the south, connecting several coastal sections.

The area was home to the Tongva people for centuries before European settlers arrived in the 1870s and established the town of Santa Monica. During the 1920s and 1930s the coastline developed into a popular destination, drawing visitors from across California.

The name comes from the nearby settlement that Spanish missionaries named after a Christian saint while traveling along the California coast. Today you see surfers at dawn, joggers on the coastal path, and families gathering on the sand to watch the sunset.

Access is available through multiple parking lots and public transit, with most areas wheelchair accessible. Volleyball nets are available for open use, and restrooms plus showers are located along the waterfront promenade.

The Marvin Braude bike path runs parallel to the coast and connects with other towns along the Pacific over a total distance of roughly 22 miles (35 kilometers). South of the pier stands an outdoor training ground with rings and parallel bars, considered the birthplace of California's fitness movement.