Santa Monica and Venice Beach camping, parking, what to expect, and city information
Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach
Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach are part of the longest beach path in the world stretching 22 miles from Malibu to Torrance. The bike trail is free and open to most non-motorized wheeled conveyances. Along the trail is world-famous Muscle Beach in Venice Beach as well as its unique mix of vendors, artists, street performers, workout facilities and beachgoers. South of Venice Beach, the
|
beachside trail loops inland around the yacht basin of Marina del Rey and Playa del Rey, then back to the ocean to pass along Dockweiler State Beach and behind Los Angeles International Airport. It continues past El Porto Beach, Manhattan State Beach (there are two side-by-side paths here, one for walking and jogging and the other for biking and skating), Hermosa Beach and ends just south of Redondo State Beach. |
There are free-to-the-public volleyball courts south of the Pier hoisting Santa Monica's reputation as a Mecca for both players and fans of the sport. Anyone can join pickup games here, and a number of America's Olympic beach volleyball competitors have trained on these very courts. Spectators watch the action from bleacher-style seating on long, broad wooden steps.
For beach parking along the Pacific Coast Highway a.k.a. Hwy 1 in the Santa Monica Pier vicinity you can park, shower, and use the bathrooms for free between 7am and 8am - anywhere there is not an attendant on duty. Later in the day you should pay the meter to stay all day as the beach parking facilities are constantly being patrolled. On Ocean Avenue which is just above Hwy. 1 there is metered parking but parking is free on some of the side streets. Along Ocean Avenue there is a pedestrian path that goes for miles among manicured grounds and under beautiful shade trees. There are restrooms and benches along the path too. There are about five pedestrian overpasses that lead from Ocean Avenue down to Highway 1 for beach access. We did a lot of walking around the Third Street Promenade which is downtown. There are lots of retail shops, restaurants, bars, fast food, bookstores, coffee shops and entertainment facilities. In the evenings there is a variety of street performers entertaining everyone. We went to the famous Farmers Market on Wednesday morning and we got kumquats, a fresh almond pastry, avocados, sourdough bread (of course), and a few other fresh and wonderful produce items grown locally in and near Santa Monica Beach.
Jason's thoughts - Nothing special
compared to other California beaches.
Kelly's thoughts - I am not much into crowds in
the heat of summer. I can say "been there, done that" but I
wouldn't go out of my way to walk the Santa Monica and Venice beach scene
again. Of course, I like the path along the beach and that is the only
reason you would see me there. I would be running, walking, rollerblading
or biking quickly pass the crowds on my way to the end. Third Street Promenade was a lot of fun to walk in the evening because the weather was pleasant and I my belly was satified.
Travel Info -There is parking for oversized vehicles at the Santa
Monica Pier. Parking is difficult to find, therefore, arriving early is
recommended.
Click for California beaches
or full-time rv diary.
Sitemap list all pages
Commandments
Used RV Checklist
Quit the job travel now
How to sell an RV
Used RV for sale
RV Insurance
RV Loans Financing
RV Parts
Full Time RV Diary
RV Vacation
Motorhomes
Camping Pictures
RV Dealers
Sell Your RV
RV Accident Lawyer
RV Camping Parks
Campground Sales
RV Awnings
RV Storage
RV Rent
Campers
rv types explained
Transportation RV Links
Advertising Plans
Buses for Sale
Bus for Sale Guide
Contact us
Here's how I quit my job
at 38 and travel in my RV
See how we stay skinny
while eating out every day
