Santa Monica: Coast, Pier and Culture

Santa Monica combines expansive coastal areas with historic buildings, parks and art. When looking for a hotel in Santa Monica, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on: should your trip center mainly on the beach and coastal paths, the pier, or the town’s cultural history? The different areas offer different starting points for exploring each of these.

Coast and Paths

Santa Monica State Beach stretches for more than three miles and covers 245 acres of sand. Two distance figures are useful for getting your bearings along the coast: the Marvin Braude Bike Trail is a 22-mile paved bike path along the Los Angeles County coast. It runs between Will Rogers State Beach and Torrance Beach; a section at Santa Monica State Beach is also part of it.

The bike path at Santa Monica Beach itself runs for three miles from Will Rogers State Beach in the north to Venice Beach in the south. A walking path runs parallel to it. This makes it easy to distinguish the local route from the longer coastal route by their respective lengths. If you are planning your trip around a market day or other scheduled events, check the relevant dates before your visit.

Pier and Architectural History

The historic Santa Monica Pier extends into the Pacific at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue. Visitors can enjoy coastal views there and ride the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park. Check separately whether rides will be available before your trip.

The pier’s architectural complex includes the Looff Hippodrome, considered the oldest and architecturally most significant building there. Charles I. D. Looff designed and built it in 1916. Another public art feature is the Pierside Mural at 120 Colorado Avenue, across from Santa Monica Pier. The Shotgun House, in turn, is designated a Santa Monica landmark.

The history of the coast extends beyond its well-known buildings. Bay Street Beach was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. This recognition honors its role as a rare coastal enclave of African American communities. Those interested in the city’s development can also find exhibitions on the history of the Santa Monica Bay Area at the Santa Monica History Museum.

Beach House and Parks

At the Annenberg Community Beach House, visitors can tour Marion Davies’ Gold Coast-era guest house year-round. The historic swimming pool is open for use in summer; seasonal availability may vary. The site combines its historic heritage with modern facilities, beach courts and fields, and community and cultural events.

Tongva Park is a six-acre contemporary urban park. Its features include art sculptures, sustainable plants, play structures and walking paths through four areas. Free cultural performances are also held there, which visitors can watch or take part in. Palisades Park stretches across 26 acres along Ocean Avenue and offers views of Santa Monica Bay. The beach, landscaped park areas and scenic overlooks thus offer distinct ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Art, Architecture and Market Days

Bergamot Station Arts Center is home to more than 20 privately run art galleries, design offices and nonprofit organizations. The Santa Monica Conservancy’s Third Street Walk offers another way to explore local cultural history. The walking tour tells the story of Santa Monica’s first historic district and the city’s early development. It also explains how 27 bungalows and four other structures were granted historic district status. As this is a recurring offering, it is a good idea to check the schedule before your visit.

The streets also offer a glimpse into the city’s architecture and commercial life. Third Street Promenade is a car-free shopping, dining and entertainment destination in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica. Main Street features independent boutiques and art galleries, as well as a high concentration of restaurants and cafés. Its architectural landscape ranges from Classicism to Art Deco. The Santa Monica Farmers Markets take place twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at Third Street Promenade; check the dates in advance if you are planning a market visit.

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For the broader travel overview: Los Angeles.