Santa Monica Beaches

There are many terrific reasons to head out to a a beach near you. Hanging out in the sun, floating in the water, and creating memories with your family and friends to name a few.

It’s easy to find a swimming beach in Santa Monica that are near your location with the help of our table of beaches. If you need some guidance with locating a beach near your location, then locate one using our collection. Begin, by entering a zip code using the following box below.

Beaches Near Santa Monica

If there has been lots of rain, flooding, or thunderstorms over the past few days, it may create bad water quality levels. Be sure to visit the beach’s website for details about water quality closings.

Most beaches in Santa Monica, CA will be accessible for the public, however many are private beaches. You should look at the beach’s website to see if it’s possible to go to the beach without any restrictions. It is common that beaches will only stay open for specific times of the year or for specific hours of the day.

Rules of the Beach

While each beach in Santa Monica will use various guidelines on how to use the beach, be prepared to abide to the following rules for any beach in Santa Monica that you visit.

  • Glass bottles can easily shatter, so don’t take glass bottles to beaches.
  • Even if the lifeguard is nearby, understand that you are entering the water at risk to yourself.
  • never visit the beach whenever it is not open.
  • Do not swim outside of the specified swimming region.
  • Drinking at the beach may not be allowed.
  • Don’t forget, if you bring an object with you, you are obligated to not leave anything behind.

Santa Monica Beach Tips

  1. Get there early. Arriving at the beach when it opens is the best way of getting the perfect spot on the beach.
  2. Will the beach have lifeguards? Many large beaches in Santa Monica staff a lifeguard around, however do not count on a lifeguard being there. On your way to the beach, look for lifeguard on duty signs. Occasionally they display lifeguard hours.
  3. Insects like the beach too. If you want to visit the beach in the morning or late in the day, you’ll find mosquitos, biting flies, fleas and other annoying bugs could ruin your beach experience.
  4. Remember extra clothing. It’s common knowledge that the temperature in Santa Monica will change on a moment’s notice. It is especially important if you are wanting to go for a swim, so pack plenty of dry items like a jacket, blankets, pants, and shirts.
  5. Get out the sunlight. If you think that finding a shady area will be tough, or if you suspect that there likely won’t be many shady spots around, pack your own shade! Use a beach umbrella, pop up tent, or similar equipment that provides shade. It’s best to use something that has good ventilation.
  6. Store items in a mesh bag. It may be convenient to find a purse, grocery bag, or water-resistant travel bag to stash beach necessities such as towels, shovels, speakersinflatables, and lifejackets. However, these types of bags keep moisture from escaping, causing mold growth or just keeping beach essentials from airing out.
  7. Don’t swim outside of the specified swimming region. If there is a specified swimming region it is likely dangerous to swim beyond the region. The area may have dangerous objects under the water, be reserved for boaters, or is unsupervised by lifeguards.