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the USA🇺🇸 | beachesSanta Monica BeachPier amusement park, coastal bike path, Muscle Beach, train access | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Santa Monica Beach
🌟 Highlightbeach ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Santa Monica Beach is free to walk onto, and the Metro E Line train from downtown Los Angeles drops you within a few blocks of the sand. It sits on the Pacific coast of California in the United States, west of downtown Los Angeles. Be honest with yourself about summer weekends: the pier is packed, parking costs real money, and lodging nearby is pricey. Still, the sand is wide and groomed, the bike path runs for miles, and the water is good for swimming and bodyboarding near the lifeguard towers, though it is cold for snorkeling. I remember the pier’s wooden planks thumping under hundreds of sneakers while a carousel organ wheezed over a seagull argument, a soundtrack no one could have scripted. Budget food is easiest a few blocks inland, away from the pier. Before you go, check the lifeguard flags and beach parking signs, since both can ruin a cheap day.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 beach in the USAWhy Santa Monica Beach should be on your travel list

Santa Monica Beach works for backpackers because it is a rare stretch of Los Angeles where you can do a lot without a car. The Metro E Line terminus and the Big Blue Bus lines mean you can arrive from downtown or the airport area and spend the day on foot. The sand is free, the showers and restrooms are public, and the bike path means you can drift toward Venice on two wheels instead of chasing rideshares.

There is also the social side. Hostels in the area fill with travelers swapping notes about Hollywood, Griffith Observatory and the national parks, so the beach becomes a natural meeting point at the end of the day. Volleyball nets and pickup games stay busy, and the Original Muscle Beach area adds a bit of local color.

It also serves as a pause on the Pacific Coast Highway route. Malibu … read more 👉
Santa Monica Beach works for backpackers because it is a rare stretch of Los Angeles where you can do a lot without a car. The Metro E Line terminus and the Big Blue Bus lines mean you can arrive from downtown or the airport area and spend the day on foot. The sand is free, the showers and restrooms are public, and the bike path means you can drift toward Venice on two wheels instead of chasing rideshares.

There is also the social side. Hostels in the area fill with travelers swapping notes about Hollywood, Griffith Observatory and the national parks, so the beach becomes a natural meeting point at the end of the day. Volleyball nets and pickup games stay busy, and the Original Muscle Beach area adds a bit of local color.

It also serves as a pause on the Pacific Coast Highway route. Malibu lies up the coast, and Santa Monica gives you a spot to rest, wash off road dust, and plan your next leg before heading north or south.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Santa Monica Beach

  1. Santa Monica Pier: The wooden pier is the landmark everyone searches for. Pacific Park, on the pier, has a solar-powered Ferris wheel and a roller coaster, and walking the pier itself is free. The end of the pier is a good place to watch anglers and the shoreline curve.
  2. Pacific Park: This small amusement park sits right on the pier, with rides priced individually or through a day pass. Go at dusk when the Ferris wheel lights up against the sky and the crowds thin slightly.
  3. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail: A paved coastal path runs along the sand, with bike and skate rentals close to the pier. Riding south toward Venice takes you past street performers, skate parks and murals, with the ocean beside you the whole way.
  4. Original Muscle Beach: Just south of the pier, outdoor gym equipment, rings and
… read more 👉
  1. Santa Monica Pier: The wooden pier is the landmark everyone searches for. Pacific Park, on the pier, has a solar-powered Ferris wheel and a roller coaster, and walking the pier itself is free. The end of the pier is a good place to watch anglers and the shoreline curve.
  2. Pacific Park: This small amusement park sits right on the pier, with rides priced individually or through a day pass. Go at dusk when the Ferris wheel lights up against the sky and the crowds thin slightly.
  3. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail: A paved coastal path runs along the sand, with bike and skate rentals close to the pier. Riding south toward Venice takes you past street performers, skate parks and murals, with the ocean beside you the whole way.
  4. Original Muscle Beach: Just south of the pier, outdoor gym equipment, rings and bars are free for anyone to use. It has a long fitness history, and watching gymnasts and weightlifters train in the open air is a good free show.
  5. Swimming and sunset on the sand: The beach is broad and gently sloped, with lifeguard towers along its length. Swim between the flags, then stay for the sunset, when the sky behind the pier turns orange and pink and the lights come on.
Santa Monica Beach itself needs no ticket, but Pacific Park rides require a purchase at the gate or online, and a day pass is worth buying ahead if you plan on several rides.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Santa Monica Beach

2-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

2-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

5.0(96) 2h
From €132
per personViator
Los Angeles Luxury Private Tour For Up To 7 Passengers

Los Angeles Luxury Private Tour For Up To 7 Passengers

5.0(45) 7h 30m
From €907
per personViator
2h of Private Surf Lesson for Beginners in Santa Monica

2h of Private Surf Lesson for Beginners in Santa Monica

5.0(25) 2h
From €259
per personViator
Los Angeles Private Tour

Los Angeles Private Tour

5.0(21)
From €331
per personViator
Santa Monica & Venice Bike Tour

Santa Monica & Venice Bike Tour

5.0(16) 2h
From €86
per personViator
Private Custom 4.5-Hour Tour of Los Angeles in English or German

Private Custom 4.5-Hour Tour of Los Angeles in English or German

5.0(13) 4h 30m
From €453
per personViator
2-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

2-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

5.0(10) 2h
From €90
per personViator
Private Tour - Day Hollywood Tour of Los Angeles - 6 Hours.

Private Tour - Day Hollywood Tour of Los Angeles - 6 Hours.

5.0(8) 8h
From €1,225
per personViator
Private Malibu Tour: From the Beaches to the Mansions

Private Malibu Tour: From the Beaches to the Mansions

5.0(7) 4h 30m
From €362
per personViator
8 Hours Sightseeing Tour with a Private Chauffeur in Los Angeles

8 Hours Sightseeing Tour with a Private Chauffeur in Los Angeles

5.0(6)
From €681
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Santa Monica Beach

  • Summer (June to September): Santa Monica Beach is warmest and busiest, with highs of 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F) and water around 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F). Daylight stretches past 14 hours, but the pier and beach fill up on weekends and lodging prices peak.
  • Early Summer Gloom (May and June): Morning marine layer often hides the sun until midday. Temperatures sit at 20 to 23°C (68 to 73°F).
  • Fall (September to November): Clear, warm days of 22 to 27°C (72 to 81°F), thinner crowds and the warmest ocean of the year make this the best stretch for swimming.
  • Winter (December to March): Highs of 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F), water near 14 to 15°C (57 to 59°F), and daylight of about 10 hours. Rain is occasional, whale watching peaks, and rooms are cheaper.
Book midweek in September or October for warm water, clear skies and softer prices.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
united-states-beach-santa-monica-beach
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✈️ The backpacker research shortcutthe USA Travel Guide

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in the USA

Downtown Santa Monica, within a 10 minute walk of the sand, is the best base for backpackers, with dorm beds typically US$50 to 90 a night in summer. The blocks around the Third Street Promenade and the pier put you near the Big Blue Bus lines and the Metro E Line terminus, which reaches downtown Los Angeles in about 50 minutes. Social hostels cluster here, and common rooms fill with solo travelers swapping plans for Hollywood and Griffith Park. Evenings are lively and well lit, so walking back after dinner feels easy.
Venice, a 30 to 40 minute walk south along the Marvin Braude bike path (or a … read more 👉
Downtown Santa Monica, within a 10 minute walk of the sand, is the best base for backpackers, with dorm beds typically US$50 to 90 a night in summer. The blocks around the Third Street Promenade and the pier put you near the Big Blue Bus lines and the Metro E Line terminus, which reaches downtown Los Angeles in about 50 minutes. Social hostels cluster here, and common rooms fill with solo travelers swapping plans for Hollywood and Griffith Park. Evenings are lively and well lit, so walking back after dinner feels easy.
Venice, a 30 to 40 minute walk south along the Marvin Braude bike path (or a short bike or scooter ride), is the second option. It suits travelers who want skate culture, street murals, cheaper tacos and a looser, artsy crowd. Beds run about US$40 to 80, and the beach is a few blocks away.
Avoid staying far inland to save money, because Westside distances are long and rideshare costs eat the savings. Book early for July and August, when dorm prices rise and the best-located beds sell out weeks ahead.
Best hostels in the USA


Best quality hotels in the USA

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Santa Monica Beach is well managed and among the easier Southern California beaches for newcomers. Lifeguard towers operate daily in summer and on a reduced schedule the rest of the year, so swim near a tower and check the flag or posted conditions. Rip currents form around the pier pilings and when swells arrive, usually from late spring through fall. Waves are normally modest, but shore break can knock you down at steep tide changes. The Pacific is cool, so a wetsuit helps outside late summer. Stingrays occasionally rest in the shallows, and shuffling your feet while wading prevents stings. Morning fog gives way to strong sun, and the reflection off the sand burns quickly, so bring sunscreen. Bikes and phones are the common theft targets, so lock bikes and keep bags in sight. The beach closes … read more 👉
Santa Monica Beach is well managed and among the easier Southern California beaches for newcomers. Lifeguard towers operate daily in summer and on a reduced schedule the rest of the year, so swim near a tower and check the flag or posted conditions. Rip currents form around the pier pilings and when swells arrive, usually from late spring through fall. Waves are normally modest, but shore break can knock you down at steep tide changes. The Pacific is cool, so a wetsuit helps outside late summer. Stingrays occasionally rest in the shallows, and shuffling your feet while wading prevents stings. Morning fog gives way to strong sun, and the reflection off the sand burns quickly, so bring sunscreen. Bikes and phones are the common theft targets, so lock bikes and keep bags in sight. The beach closes at night, and rangers enforce that, so plan to leave by the posted hour.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

The easiest way to reach Santa Monica Beach is the Metro E Line, which runs from downtown Los Angeles to the Downtown Santa Monica station in about 45 to 50 minutes for roughly US$1.75. From LAX, you can take a rideshare in 20 to 30 minutes for about US$30 to 50, or ride the FlyAway bus to the Metro. Big Blue Bus Line 3 also connects the area to the airport corridor for around US$1.25.
Swimming is good here, especially from July through October, when the water reaches roughly 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F). Santa Monica Beach has gentle waves for casual surfing and learning, with board and wetsuit rentals around US$30 to 50 a day, though better breaks lie north at Malibu. Snorkeling is poor because of limited visibility and no reef, so head to Leo Carrillo or Catalina Island instead.
Yes, Santa Monica Beach is free to enter, with no admission fee. The pier is also free to walk, though rides at Pacific Park cost about US$8 to 10 each or roughly US$40 to 50 for an all-day wristband. Parking is the main expense, with beach lots charging around US$10 to 25 a day, so arriving by Metro or bike is cheaper.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other American beaches near Santa Monica Beach

Explore more nearby:

  • Venice Beach—Ocean Front Walk, skate bowls, outdoor weights, 1900s canals| 5 km away
  • Malibu Beach—Wooden pier, longboard break, Adamson House, lagoon birds| 18 km away
  • Laguna Beach—Bluff coves, tide pools, Heisler Park walk, pirate tower| 84 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Santa Monica Beach trips go wrong when travelers drive in at midday on a summer weekend and burn an hour circling for parking. I would take the train or a bus, arrive early, and walk the bike path south to escape the pier crowds.

✈️ When did I visit the USA?
In January 2023 I visited New York. Many years before, before digital cameras existed, I discovered most of the national parks in the West.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in the USA, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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