Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica Beach, an icon of California

The Santa Monica audio-guided tour leads you to Santa Monica Beach, a huge strip of sand that stretches for several kilometres and is among the most famous images of California. From the north, towards Will Rogers State Beach, to the south, towards Venice Beach, it unrolls an emblematic coastline.

A beach partly shaped by man

What is less well known is that this beach is not entirely natural. Originally, the coast was much rockier, with cliffs close to the water. Over the twentieth century, the city gradually brought in enormous quantities of sand to create this wide beach, which became a symbol of Californian seaside life and a major leisure spot of the Los Angeles area.

What there is to see

The beach is a vast playground: swimming, sunbathing, cycling along the bike path, beach volleyball and the famous Muscle Beach, the cradle of outdoor fitness culture. The Santa Monica Pier and its big wheel stand out against the horizon. At sunset, the beach offers one of the finest shows on the west coast.

Practical information

Santa Monica Beach stretches along the Pacific, at the foot of the Santa Monica Pier and Palisades Park. The beach is freely accessible at all hours and on the level; paid car parks border it. A bike path runs along it towards Venice Beach. Swimming is under lifeguard supervision at the indicated hours.

Is Santa Monica beach natural?

Not entirely: the coast was originally rockier. In the twentieth century, the city brought in enormous quantities of sand to create this wide beach.

What is Muscle Beach?

Muscle Beach, on Santa Monica beach, is the cradle of outdoor fitness culture, where people train facing the ocean.