Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Beach, located in the city of Santa Monica, is a highly popular 3.5-mile-long beach with light brown sand. This beach, also known as Santa Monica State Beach, is divided into three main sections: Santa Monica Beach - North Beach (which is also known as Santa Monica - North Beach and Santa Monica North Beach), Santa Monica Beach - Pier Beach (which is also called Santa Monica - Pier Beach and Santa Monica Pier Beach), and Santa Monica Beach - South Beach ( which is also called Santa Monica – South Beach, Santa Monica South Beach, and Ocean Park Beach). 

Santa Monica Beach—North Beach is quieter, offering a more peaceful experience, while Pier Beach is at the center and features the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica Beach - South Beach, also referred to as Ocean Park Beach, is situated to the south of the pier.

Santa Monica Pier, stretching 1,650 feet, is a well-known landmark and draws millions of visitors annually. It is an iconic pier that was initially opened in 1909 and has been designated as a Santa Monica Historic Landmark - this pier offers a large variety of things to do including a popular amusement park named Pacific Park that has the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, fun rides for kids (including a 1920s carousel), an arcade, an aquarium at the end of the pier named Heal The Bay Aquarium, and interesting concessions and shops. If you are planning to fish from the Santa Monica Pier or from any part of Santa Monica State Beach, please follow the local fishing regulations that can be found on the website of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Santa Monica Beach is also frequented by snorkelers and scuba divers, and visitors may spot wildlife such as seals, sea lions, and migrating whales at certain times of the year. If you’re into biking or skating, the Ocean Front Walk (also called the Santa Monica Boardwalk) offers a scenic path with oceanfront views and passes by various restaurants and shops. The North Beach Trail section includes unique artwork inspired by local plant and animal life. A portion of another famous biking trail named the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (also known as The Strand) is also located along Santa Monica State Beach - this popular 22-mile oceanfront biking, jogging, and roller-skating trail mostly runs parallel to the coastline of the Santa Monica Bay.

Santa Monica Pier Beach, situated in the heart of Santa Monica, California, is a vibrant and iconic section of the 3.5-mile-long Santa Monica State Beach.  This area is renowned for its golden sands and serves as the backdrop to the historic Santa Monica Pier, a landmark that has been captivating visitors since its opening in 1909.  The pier itself is home to Pacific Park, an amusement park featuring the world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.  Beyond the rides, the pier hosts an array of attractions, including the historic 1922 Looff Hippodrome Carousel, the Heal the Bay Aquarium, and a variety of shops and eateries, making it a central hub of activity and a symbol of Southern California's coastal charm. ​

Located to the south of the iconic Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Beach - South Beach (which is also called Santa Monica South Beach and Ocean Park Beach) is a popular and world-famous beach with light brown sand that is part of a larger three-and-a-half mile long beach named Santa Monica State Beach.  Santa Monica Beach - South Beach has a more festive ambiance compared to other portions of Santa Monica State Beach. 

Located in the popular coast city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Beach - North Beach (which is also called Santa Monica North Beach) is a large and wide beach with light brown sand that is part of a larger three-and-a-half mile long beach named Santa Monica State Beach.  The northernmost portion of Santa Monica Beach - North Beach is also sometimes referred to as Sorrento Beach - this portion of the beach received this name because there used to be a restaurant near it named Sorrento Grill.