Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica State Beach is one of the most accessible stretches of coastline in the entire country.
Spanning three miles of sand totaling 245 acres, Santa Monica State Beach is jointly managed by the city and California State Parks, with biking paths and a paved Ocean Front Walk south of the pier. The 1909 pier, a National Historic Landmark at Ocean and Colorado, juts into the Pacific near the Third Street Promenade.
Santa Monica Pier Bridge Improvement Project
The Santa Monica Pier, designated a National Historic Landmark and dating to 1909, extends from a 245-acre beach jointly managed by the City of Santa Monica and California State Parks. Among the few surviving structures from the pier's original construction is the Looff Hippodrome, built in 1939. A Pier Bridge Improvement Project is currently underway, which may produce altered traffic patterns and parking limitations near the pier that photographers should plan around when scheduling visits.
Best Photo Spots
Six Santa Monica Beach photo spots span a pier, bluff park, beachfront trail, palm avenue, pedestrian overpass, and public art.
Santa Monica Pier
Photographs of This Location
Common Questions
Free beach wheelchairs, including electric models, can be borrowed on a first-come, first-served basis from three Perry's Cafe locations on Ocean Front Walk, from the Annenberg Community Beach House at 415 Pacific Coast Highway, or on weekends from the Heal the Bay Aquarium beneath the pier.
No, dogs are not allowed on the Santa Monica State Beach; the closest dog-friendly beach is Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach.
In Santa Monica, the beach biking path runs three miles from Will Rogers State Beach to the north and connects to Venice Beach to the south, alongside a parallel pedestrian path.
The pier and its businesses remain open during construction.
Practical Information
200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A, Santa Monica, CA 90401; Pacific Coast Highway; (310) 458-8295
Accessible parking is available at multiple lots along the Santa Monica State Beach beachfront.; Nearby general and disabled parking, including van-accessible parking, is provided by the City of Santa Monica in parking lots located on the beachfront.; South of the pier, parking lots, parks, homes, and hotels border the beach, while north of the pier parking lots run along the Pacific Coast Highway.
9:30am to 2:30pm (Sat-Sun); 8-10 AM Saturdays, April 4 - October 17; 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM
$425; $525; Free beach wheelchairs are available on a first come, first serve basis at the Heal the Bay Aquarium under the pier, though hours are limited.
Sand volleyball courts are first-come, first-served, but can be reserved in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling (310) 458-2201 ext. 5186.
Photowalk
Walk the Santa Monica Beach Photo Trail
1 routes through the same vantage points, from a quick loop to a full afternoon.
The Santa Monica Pier is set at Santa Monica's westernmost point, with the iconic Ferris wheel jutting into the Pacific Ocean.
Session Tips
- E-scooters are not permitted on the beach biking paths, the Santa Monica Pier, Ocean Front Walk, or in municipal parks, and violations can result in a ticket.
- Visitors should check the time for high-tide before visiting, as the ocean can cover all of the sand.
- Shoot at Santa Monica Pier & Beach in the early morning to avoid the heavy afternoon and evening crowds.
- Visitors should call ahead to confirm beach wheelchair availability at Perry's Cafe or the Annenberg Community Beach House before making the trip.
- Visitors are encouraged to stop, take a breath, and enjoy the salty air and atmosphere of the pier.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
1:25 PM - 1:50 PM
1:50 PM - 2:50 PM
12:35 AM - 1:35 AM
1:35 AM - 2:00 AM
Avoid
summer
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:59 | 17:08 | 10h 8m |
| Feb | 06:38 | 17:38 | 10h 59m |
| Mar | 07:04 | 19:01 | 11h 57m |
| Apr | 06:22 | 19:25 | 13h 2m |
| May | 05:52 | 19:48 | 13h 56m |
| Jun | 05:42 | 20:06 | 14h 24m |
| Jul | 05:53 | 20:05 | 14h 11m |
| Aug | 06:15 | 19:40 | 13h 24m |
| Sep | 06:37 | 19:00 | 12h 22m |
| Oct | 06:59 | 18:19 | 11h 20m |
| Nov | 06:26 | 16:50 | 10h 23m |
| Dec | 06:52 | 16:46 | 9h 54m |
What to Expect During Your Session
Early morning sessions at Santa Monica Pier and Beach capture golden hour before heavy afternoon and evening crowds arrive, though photographers should confirm the high-tide schedule since the ocean can cover all of the sand. E-scooters are prohibited on the pier, beach biking paths, and Ocean Front Walk, so arriving on foot is the practical option. A Monday 7:00 PM sunset history tour offers evening light, while weekend visitors can pair the 10 AM Walk Through Pier History tour with the 11 AM free historical walking tour.
A Walk Through Pier History morning tour runs every Saturday and Sunday at 10 AM.
A Walk Through Pier History sunset tour runs every Monday at 7:00 PM.
Free Historical Walking Tours of the Santa Monica Pier take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am to 12pm.
Photography sessions at Santa Monica Pier & Beach are available in 60 minute, 90 minute, 2 hour, and 3 hour lengths.
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- The Ocean Front Walk is a paved, multi-use path that runs the full length of Santa Monica Beach and connects seamlessly to Venice Beach further south.
- Public transit
- Big Blue Bus; Metro Expo Line
- Walking distance
- On the north side of the pier, a series of bridges, walkways, and stairs provides access to the beach from the city across the palisades and Pacific Coast Highway.
- Bike friendly
- A dedicated beach biking path runs the full length of the beach in Santa Monica, parallel to a pedestrian walking path.