Looking for the best parks and outdoor spots in Santa Monica? A quintessential California beach city, Santa Monica pairs its famous pier and beach with clifftop parks and ocean paths. This local guide covers Santa Monica’s marquee parks and green spaces, its trails and outdoor recreation, neighborhood gems, and how to find where locals actually go to get outside.
Santa Monica’s best parks & green spaces
Palisades Park — a clifftop stretch of green above the beach with palm trees and ocean sunsets — is Santa Monica’s scenic centerpiece. Tongva Park’s modern landscaped grounds near the pier, and the wide Santa Monica State Beach, anchor the outdoor scene alongside the iconic Santa Monica Pier.
Trails, waterfronts & outdoor recreation in Santa Monica
The beach offers swimming, and the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (“The Strand”) runs for miles along the sand toward Venice and beyond, a beloved biking and skating route. The pier and beach support volleyball, and nearby canyon trails offer hiking with ocean views.
Neighborhood parks & hidden gems
Reed Park, Clover Park, and the Annenberg Community Beach House (a public beachfront with a pool) are local favorites, and the nearby Santa Monica Mountains trailheads add hiking away from the crowds. To see how the areas connect, check our guide to the best neighborhoods in Santa Monica.
What to know about Santa Monica parks
The beach and pier get crowded; beach parking is pricey — arrive early or use the Expo Line. The Strand is a great car-free route. The marine layer keeps mornings cool. Palisades Park and the beach are free.
Where Santa Monica locals actually go outdoors
The best-kept outdoor secrets — the quiet trailhead, the uncrowded picnic spot, the park that’s perfect right now — usually come from locals, not brochures. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Santa Monica community, real Santa Monica neighbors share their favorite outdoor spots and what’s worth visiting this season. For more ideas, see our guide to the best things to do in Santa Monica. Join your Santa Monica neighbors free and discover the best local outdoor spots →
Fitting it into a day in Santa Monica
The parks and trails here are where neighbors actually spend their weekends, each with its own character. What sets Santa Monica apart is how close everything sits together. Start near the Santa Monica Pier, work in one of the spots from this guide, and you are minutes from Palisades Park if you want to keep going. Locals often round out time outdoors with a detour to the beach bike path or a quieter stop at Tongva Park. Because the distances are short, you can improvise as you go rather than lock the whole day down in advance.
More Santa Monica guides
Santa Monica rewards people who dig a little deeper. These related guides map the same neighborhoods from different starting points: Dog-friendly Santa Monica, Things to do in Santa Monica, Free things to do in Santa Monica — enough to plan a whole day or two.
Get a local’s take
Guides are a starting point; the current, on-the-ground details come from people who live in Santa Monica. Hours shift, favorites change, and residents always know what is genuinely worth it now. Ask Santa Monica neighbors directly or join your town community free to hear from real locals.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best parks in Santa Monica?
Palisades Park on the bluffs, Tongva Park near the pier, Santa Monica State Beach, and the Annenberg Community Beach House.
Where can you bike in Santa Monica?
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail (‘The Strand’) runs for miles along the beach toward Venice and beyond, ideal for biking and skating.
Where do locals go outdoors in Santa Monica?
Locals favor Palisades Park at sunset, the beach Strand, and nearby canyon trails — Santa Monica neighbors share their favorite spots in our community.