Headed to Santa Monica and worried about breaking the bank? Fear not! This vibrant beach city offers a ton of fun, completely free things to do. From iconic spots like the Santa Monica Pier to hidden street art gems, discover 15 budget-friendly ways to soak up the best of Santa Monica, whether you're a local or just visiting.
Short-Cut Menu 🖱️
15 Free Things to Do in Santa Monica
1. Experience the Santa Monica Pier
One of the most popular free things to do in Santa Monica is the iconic Santa Monica Pier. This famous California landmark sits on the Pacific Ocean and boasts a vibrant mix of attractions such as the historic carousel, an aquarium, and the solar-powered ferris wheel of Pacific Park. Although the Pier is completely free to walk along and check out everything it has to offer, there are fees for the amusement park rides and aquarium. This lively destination offers breathtaking ocean views, delicious food, and an atmosphere like no other, making it a great spot for tourists, locals, and children of all ages.
💡 Insider Tip: Visit the Mariasol Restaurant at the end of the Pier for delicious seafood with stunning panoramic views.
📍 Location: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
🌐 Website: Santa Monica Pier
2. Have Fun at Santa Monica Beach
Known for it's scenic beauty, gorgeous weather, and bustling atmosphere, the Santa Monica Beach consists of over 3 miles of soft sand where its visitors can enjoy a simple and free beach day full of soaking in the sun, building sandcastles, and swimming in the Pacific Ocean. If desired, people can also surf, sail, paddle-board, and more for an additional cost. The beach is also conveniently close to the famous Santa Monica Pier as well as a variety of dining and shopping options to make the most out your beach day.
💡 Insider Tip: Keep an eye out for celebrities as a lot of have homes in the area and visit the beach for a tad of normalcy.
📍 Location: 1550 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90404
🌐 Website: Santa Monica Beach
3. Explore Third Street Promenade
Located in the midst of Downtown Santa Monica, the Third Street Promenade is a 0.4 mile pedestrian-only shopping and entertainment district. It is completely free to walk around and see the street performers and public art installations, but there is also a variety of retail stores, bars, coffee shops, and restaurants to indulge in as well. The outdoor mall also hosts a variety of free events all year long, such as their "Pride on the Promenade" festival in June.
💡 Insider Tip: The Third Street Promenade has been featured in films including "Freaky Friday" and "Pretty in Pink".
📍 Location: 1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
🌐 Website: Third Street Promenade
4. Have a Picnic at Palisades Park
Located atop the gorgeous coastal bluffs in Santa Monica, the Palisades Park is a landmark park in California with breathtaking panoramic views of the Santa Monica Bay, making it the perfect spot for a picnic on the grass or on one of their many picnic benches. There is plenty of lush greenery, big palm trees, historic artwork and monuments, as well as the iconic Camera Obscura Art Lab - a small building with a pinhole camera that takes photos from the outside, but displaying them in a dark room inside. There are also plenty of scenic walking paths to enjoy a stroll in the park, creating a peaceful escape from the lively downtown Santa Monica.
💡 Insider Tip: Check out the Rose Garden at Palisades Park for a peaceful spot full of blooming roses and ocean views.
📍 Location: Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
🌐 Website: Palisades Park
5. Browse the Santa Monica Farmers Market
Held on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in three different locations within Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Farmers Market has a diverse choice of fresh, locally sourced produce and artisanal goods. Over the years, the Farmers Market has become a popular gathering spot for chefs and food enthusiasts, giving visitors the opportunity to freely sample, and purchase, high-quality ingredients directly from sustainable farmers. Tourists and locals alike can freely roam the Farmers Market while also soaking in the "foodie" atmosphere that makes up a large part of California culture.
💡 Insider Tip: The Farmers Markets always take place when scheduled, rain or shine.
📍 Location: Various locations; see website
🌐 Website: Santa Monica Farmers Market
6. Educate at the Santa Monica Public Library
The Santa Monica Public Library is a free-entry, stunning library with over 500,000 items including books, multimedia, and digital resources, creating a vibrant hub of knowledge and community. It has a very eco-friendly and modern design, a rooftop garden, and spaces solely for children and teens, making the library a welcoming place for people of all ages. There are also free events that take place at the library, such as computer classes, as well as free wireless Internet access.
💡 Insider Tip: The top floor of the library has an unmissable sunlit reading room with panoramic views.
📍 Location: 601 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
🌐 Website: Santa Monica Public Library
7. Bike, Skate, or Walk the Santa Monica Beach Path
If you're searching for a free activity to get your heart rate moving and your body feeling good, then be sure to check out the Santa Monica Beach Path, otherwise known as "The Strand" or the "Marvin Braude Bike Trail". This scenic 22-mile coastal pathway stretches from Torrance County Beach all the way north to Will Rogers State Beach, running through Santa Monica along the Santa Monica State Beach. The iconic trail offers stunning views of the ocean as well as easy access to sandy beaches, which has made it an extremely popular destination for biking, skating, and walking. The picture-perfect setting creates an enjoyable experience for people of all ages looking to explore the Southern California coastline.
💡 Insider Tip: Be sure to check out the hidden art installations tucked away along the scenic route of the Beach Path.
📍 Location: Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
🌐 Website: Santa Monica Beach Path
8. Play at Annenberg Community Beach House
The Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica is a free, public pool facility right on the beach, providing its guests with stunning ocean views as well as a kid-friendly pool. The Beach House has a rich history, as it was once a part of a former estate owned by actress Marion Davies, which has since been transformed into a community space with art exhibits and cultural events. The Beach House offers free access to its grounds, art gallery, playground, and beach, while amenities like the pool, parking, and guided tours of the Marion Davies Guest House require a fee.
💡 Insider Tip: They have an on-site restaurant, "Back on the Beach Café".
📍 Location: 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402
🌐 Website: Annenberg Community Beach House
9. Take Instagrammable Photos
There are lots of different and unique places throughout Santa Monica to get some great Instagram-worthy photos, whether you're a local or a tourist on vacation.
Route 66 Sign: This iconic sign marks the endpoint of the historic highway, offering a classic photo opportunity with its famous "Americana" vibe.
📍 Location: 9 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, 90401
Lifeguard Tower 26: This famous lifeguard tower offers views of the sandy beach and Pacific Ocean, providing a perfect beach scene.
📍 Location: 2600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Pacific Park Ferris Wheel: Especially stunning at sunset, the Ferris Wheel offers a colorful snapshot of the Pacific Park Amusement Park's lively atmosphere against the sky.
📍 Location: 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
💡 Insider Tip: The Pacific Wheel sometimes changes it's colors at night to promote events or celebrate holidays.
🌐 Website: Route 66 Sign; Lifeguard Tower 26; Pacific Park Ferris Wheel
10. Play Sports at Ocean View Park
The Ocean View Park in Santa Monica is a popular, free-to-visit beachfront park known for its laid-back vibe and gorgeous Pacific Ocean views, making it the perfect spot to relax on the park's grassy areas or even play some basketball or tennis at one of their many well-maintained courts. There is also a walking path which connects the park to the beach, where visitors can soak up the sun or indulge in beach volleyball.
💡 Insider Tip: Occasionally, local instructors host yoga and fitness classes in the park.
📍 Location: 2701 Barnard Way, Santa Monica, CA 90404
🌐 Website: Ocean View Park
11. Take a Street Art Mural Tour
Whether you're a tourist seeing a new area for the first time or a local exploring home, Santa Monica has a lot of different and creative art murals that offer a showcase of works by renowned artists, transforming public spaces into beautiful visual experiences. People are welcome to go on self-led Street Art Mural Tours for free, with the help of Santa Monica's curated guide to all of the art murals in the city, which allows visitors to explore artistic hotspots. The murals give people the chance to experience special stories told by different contemporary artists.
💡 Insider Tip: Look for the hidden mural of a stunning ocean on the side of the alley behind the 3rd Street Promenade.
📍 Location: Various locations; see website
🌐 Website: Street Art Mural Tour
12. Workout at Muscle Beach
Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, established in the 1930s, is a historic outdoor gym that became a hub for fitness enthusiasts, but more so for bodybuilders and acrobats. This iconic beachfront spot is known for its energetic atmosphere, where a mix of locals and tourists gather to watch different sorts of shows and competitions. It is completely free to attend the gym, but there are sometimes fees to watch professional competitions.
💡 Insider Tip: Visit early in the morning to watch dedicated bodybuilders training before the crowds arrive.
📍 Location: Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
🌐 Website: Muscle Beach
13. Bring Your Dog to Herb Katz Dog Park
The Herb Katz Dog Park is a well-maintained, free dog park in Santa Monica which provides dogs and their owners with a friendly and safe environment. Located in the heart of the city within the larger Joslyn Park, there are comfortable seating areas as well as separate off-leash areas for large and small dogs, making it perfect for play and relaxation.
💡 Insider Tip: There is a small grassy area next to the park for kids to watch the dogs play.
📍 Location: 633 Kensington Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
🌐 Website: Herb Katz Dog Park
14. Skate at the Cove Skatepark
The Cove Skatepark is an outdoor skate facility with a fun environment and even some challenging features, including bowls, ramps, and a street course. It's mix of professional-level elements and family-friendly functionality makes it a popular place for skaters of all levels to practice their skills. While the park offers free admission for spectators, skaters are required to pay a fee for access.
💡 Insider Tip: They have 18+ skate nights on Sundays from 4:30PM-7PM and Wednesdays from 5:30PM-9PM.
📍 Location: 1401 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
🌐 Website: The Cove Skatepark
15. Swim at Stoner Park Pool
If you're looking for an outdoor pool facility with great amenities and a friendly community, then the Stoner Park Pool is the place to be. There is a lap-swim area, a recreational pool with a water slide, and a shallow area for children, as well as lots of different sports, fitness, and cultural programs, which makes it perfect for people of all ages. Entrance to the pool and poolside areas are free, but amenities like swim lessons and special programs require a fee.
💡 Insider Tip: There are co-ed basketball, soccer, and baseball teams that play at the facility.
📍 Location: 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025
🌐 Website: Stoner Park Pool
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