Is the Santa Monica Pier free to visit?

Yes, there is no admission fee to walk onto the Santa Monica Pier. You only pay for individual rides at Pacific Park, games, or food if you choose to purchase them.

What is the best time for a self-guided walk in Santa Monica?

Late afternoon, approximately two hours before sunset, is ideal. This allows you to explore the historic buildings in daylight and finish your walk in Palisades Park just as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean.

Can I see the Route 66 sign on this walking route?

Yes, the famous 'End of the Trail' sign is located on the Santa Monica Pier. It is a popular photo spot and is included as a highlight of this self-guided walk.

Is Palisades Park safe to walk through?

Palisades Park is generally very safe during daylight hours and is popular with joggers and tourists. Like any urban park, it is best to stay aware of your surroundings, especially if walking alone in the late evening.

Are there public restrooms along the Santa Monica coastline?

Yes, there are multiple public facilities. You can find them on the Santa Monica Pier, near the Camera Obscura in Palisades Park, and at the Annenberg Community Beach House at the end of the route.

Is this walking route suitable for families with strollers?

Absolutely. The entire route follows paved sidewalks and park paths. There are ramps and elevators to navigate the height difference between the beach level and the bluffs of Palisades Park.

What is the Camera Obscura in Santa Monica?

The Camera Obscura is a vintage optical device located in a dedicated building in Palisades Park. It uses mirrors and lenses to project a live, moving image of the surrounding beach onto a table in a dark room, a technology dating back to the late 19th century.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Experience the timeless allure of the Pacific coast with this self-guided walk through Santa Monica. This neighborhood stroll captures the essence of Southern California, blending the high-energy nostalgia of a century-old amusement pier with the sophisticated serenity of clifftop gardens. As you explore independently, you will transition from the bustling boardwalk to the refined architecture of the 'Gold Coast,' where Hollywood royalty once spent their summers. This walking route is designed for those who appreciate the intersection of coastal history and photography-worthy vistas. Your self-guided adventure begins at the Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome, a National Historic Landmark that houses one of the few remaining all-wood carousels in the world. From there, you will traverse the iconic Santa Monica Pier, a landmark that has survived storms and demolition threats to become a global symbol of leisure. Beyond the sand, the route leads you to hidden gems like the Camera Obscura Art Lab, where 19th-century optical technology provides a unique perspective on the coastline. This walking tour Los Angeles highlights the city's ability to preserve its past while embracing a vibrant, modern beach culture. As you move north, the atmosphere shifts. You will encounter the striking turquoise facade of The Georgian Hotel, a legendary Art Deco masterpiece that served as a discreet getaway during the Prohibition era. The route then ascends to Palisades Park, a lush 26-acre ribbon of green perched atop sandstone bluffs. This is one of the most scenic stretches for a walking tour Los Angeles, offering panoramic views of the Santa Monica Bay and the distant Malibu coastline. The walk concludes at the Annenberg Community Beach House, a public site built on the foundations of a 110-room mansion originally owned by Marion Davies and William Randolph Hearst. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a local looking to rediscover the shore, this audio walk provides a deep dive into the stories that shaped this world-famous coastline.

Highlights

Ride the historic 1916 carousel at the Looff Hippodrome

Stand at the official 'End of the Trail' for Route 66

View the coastline through a vintage 19th-century Camera Obscura

Admire the turquoise Art Deco architecture of The Georgian Hotel

Stroll the clifftop paths of Palisades Park for sunset views

Visit the site of the former Marion Davies 'Gold Coast' estate

Tour Stops (6)

Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome

Welcome to the starting point of your coastal walk. This distinctive building, the Looff Hippodrome, was built in 1916 by Charles I. D. Looff, a pioneer of American amusement parks. Unlike the modern rides you see today, this structure was designed to house a massive hand-carved carousel. As you look at its eclectic mix of Byzantine, Moorish, and California Bungalow architecture, you're seeing a rare survivor of the 'Golden Age' of piers. Inside, the current carousel—installed in 1947—features 44 hand-carved wooden horses. This building wasn't just for fun; it has also been a filming location for classics like 'The Sting.' Take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship that has entertained millions for over a century.

Santa Monica Pier

Step out onto the wood planks of the Santa Monica Pier. This is actually two piers in one: the shorter Municipal Pier built in 1909 to carry sewage pipes, and the longer Pleasure Pier built in 1916. For decades, it was the social heart of the city, hosting massive ballrooms and even a bridge to the mainland. It is also famous for being the symbolic 'End of the Trail' for Route 66, the 'Mother Road' that stretched from Chicago to the Pacific. Look for the sign near the middle of the pier. Despite facing numerous demolition threats in the 1970s, the pier remains a beloved landmark, preserved by passionate locals who recognized its historical value.

Camera Obscura Art Lab

Tucked away in Palisades Park is a marvel of 19th-century optics. The Camera Obscura was donated to the city in 1908 by Robert Miller, a nephew of one of Santa Monica's founders. It works using a simple pinhole and a mirror that reflects a live image of the beach onto a white circular table inside a darkened room. It’s a quiet, low-tech contrast to the digital world outside. This specific camera was originally located on the beach before being moved to this purpose-built Art Deco building in the 1950s. It offers a unique, 'voyeuristic' view of the boardwalk, capturing the movement of the waves and the people in a way no camera phone can replicate.

The Georgian Hotel

As you walk along Ocean Avenue, your eyes will be drawn to a striking turquoise and gold building. This is The Georgian Hotel, opened in 1933. Known as the 'First Lady' of Santa Monica, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city at the time. During the Prohibition era, the hotel was rumored to house a high-end speakeasy in its basement, attracting Hollywood stars like Clark Gable and Carole Lombard who wanted to escape the prying eyes of Los Angeles. Its Art Deco architecture, with its bold geometric lines and nautical influences, reflects the optimism and glamour of the early 20th-century California coast. It remains a functioning hotel and a testament to the city's sophisticated history.

Palisades Park

You are now walking through Palisades Park, a 26-acre stretch of greenery that runs along the edge of the Santa Monica bluffs. This land was donated to the city in the late 1800s by founders John P. Jones and Robert Baker to ensure the public would always have access to the ocean views. As you stroll, notice the variety of plant life, from towering palm trees to succulents and eucalyptus. The sandstone cliffs here are beautiful but fragile, constantly shaped by the salt air and erosion. This park serves as the 'front porch' of Santa Monica, offering some of the best vantage points in the county to see the curve of the bay from Malibu to the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Annenberg Community Beach House

Our walk ends at the Annenberg Community Beach House. While the current buildings are modern, this site was once the location of a sprawling 110-room colonial-style mansion. It was built in the 1920s by publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst for his mistress, actress Marion Davies. This area was once known as the 'Gold Coast' because of the many celebrity estates lined up along the sand. Today, only the original marble-decked swimming pool and the Guest House remain from the original estate. Now a public space, it represents the transition of Santa Monica from an exclusive playground for the elite to an accessible beach community for everyone to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

The walk from the pier entrance to the southern end of Palisades Park takes about 5 to 10 minutes. However, walking the full length of the park to the Beach House takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes at a leisurely pace, covering about 1.5 miles.