Santa Monica Beach
310-458-8573
Stretching 3.5 miles, Santa Monica Beach lies between Venice and Malibu and is one of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles. In 2008, the American Planning Association bestowed its Great Places in America honor upon Santa Monica Beach. Marriage services are performed here, too.
Lifeguards are on duty year-round between sunrise and sunset, and the lifeguard headquarters is open around the clock.
A boardwalk runs along the waterfront, as well as the South Bay Bicycle Trail, which stretches for 22 miles. Fishing is open to the public, with no license required. Surfing is also allowed depending on the amount of beach traffic and weather conditions. Volleyball courts are open to the public for no charge, while boogie boards and additional beach equipment is available for rent.
Ballplaying is only allowed in permitted areas at Santa Monica Beach. Tents, sleeping and camping are banned, as are glass containers, percussion instruments and vendors. Audible electronic devices cannot be played between 10pm and 8am.
In an effort to ensure water quality, Santa Monica has teamed with Heal the Bay, which provides weekly water-quality reports at HealTheBay.org.
In addition to the Santa Monica Pier, the beach is also home to the restored Annenberg Community Beach House, which reopened in April 2009. Once owned by Marion Davies, the primary mansion was demolished decades ago, but many of the original guest houses, the swimming pool and the tennis court have been preserved. The pool is open to the public and available for use from 10am to 6pm; the rest of the establishment is open from 8:30am to 8:30pm. Community meetings are often held at the house, and tours are provided as well. The Annenberg Foundation is primarily responsible for the restoration of the landmark.
- Handicap Accessible: Yes
- Parking: On-street: metered, Paid lot
- When's the best time of day to visit this beach?: Any time between sunrise and sunset
- Public/Private: Public
- Type: Ocean
- Common activities: Fishing, Surfing
- Facilities: Boardwalk, Food/drink, Piers, Restrooms, Showers
- Restrictions: No alcohol, No fires, No pets, No smoking
Among Santa Monica's crown jewels our Beaches and The Third Street Promenade stand out foremost among them. From where the sand meets the sea one can walk the entire length of the beach and always marvel how clean, sparkling, and inviting these beaches consistently appear. Nary a time will you see trash, or litter spewing from the many trash cans, or homeless debris strewn on the sand.
Both residents and visitors ought to know about this great city beach crew that takes their responsibilities to heart in serving the public with skill and a strong sense of customer service. Led by Supervisor Paul Davis with a crew of some 25 city employees this small elite maintenance crew delivers five star service to multi-millions of beach users each and every year. Mr. Jose Aguilar the Supervisor of the Third Street Promenade is another super- star in the citie's constellation of premier leadership. His highly trained crew polishes the other crown jewel of our city and one of world renown; the "Downtown and Promenade Pantheon- Santa Monica area hosting millions of foreign and domestic visitors annually. A greatful public holds these inspiring city employees of both crews in high esteem. I am reminded of a great Churchillian phrase which I have modified to express both business and customer sentiments. "Never in the field of super maintence have so many owed so much to so few".