Santa Monica Beach

All-Day Seaside Fun

Santa Monica Beach is an iconic destination known for its fun beach activities which attract visitors from around the world. The three-mile-long beach features restaurants, a bike trail, gymnastics equipment, rides, and more, making it a top location for tourists. The beach’s expansive pier, home to Pacific Park, the historic Carousel, a trapeze school, and more offer additional experiences for visitors to enjoy. With so much to do, you can easily spend an entire day here.

Location

Santa Monica, California

Hours

Operating dates and hours vary by venue

Recommended Ages

All ages

Sign welcoming visitors to Pacific Park seaside amusement park on Santa Monica Pier
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier
Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel at Pacific Park seaside amusement park
Pacific Wheel at Pacific Park
View of Pacific Park seaside amusement park and the beach in Santa Monica, California
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier
Overlooking Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica Beach
Walkway to Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier
Attractions on Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier
Aerial view of the end of Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier
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Things to Do

Santa Monica Beach on a clear day

Beach

Relax on the beach, go for a swim in the ocean, enjoy a scenic bike path, stop by the Original Muscle Beach, and enjoy nearby restaurants & shops.

Overhead Pacific Park octopus sign greets guests visiting the pier amusement park

Pacific Park amusement park

Enjoy the many classic amusement rides that line Santa Monica Pier, including a towering Ferris Wheel, an exhilarating roller coaster, and nearly a dozen other attractions.

Overhead view of the historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel
Image: Pacific Park

Santa Monica Pier Carousel

Visit the historic carousel attraction, and climb atop a wooden family of animals.

Playland Arcade building

Playland Arcade

Play classic and contemporary games at Playland Arcade, home to over 200 arcade activities, including PacMan and Dance-Dance Revolution.

Heal the Bay Aquarium building
Image: Pacific Park

Heal the Bay Aquarium

Experience hands-on presentations and interactive exhibits designed to educate, inspire, and empower visitors to be stewards of the environment.

Popular For

Sign displaying available activities on the Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier

The historic Santa Monica Pier is home to the Pacific Park seaside amusement park, shops, restaurants, and more.

Outdoor gym, featuring ropes, parallel bars, swings, and more, at Santa Monica Beach
Image: Santa Monica Travel & Tourism

The Original Muscle Beach

Santa Monica’s Muscle Beach, which opened in the 1930s, features retro gym equipment, such as parallel bars, rings, and ropes.

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