73°
Mostly Sunny
2%
82
Los Angeles County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Santa Monica State Beach
1550 PCH, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Three and a half miles of wide sand fronting downtown Santa Monica — the iconic Santa Monica Pier with the 1922 carousel and Pacific Park amusement park, the western terminus of Route 66, and the 22-mile Marvin Braude bike path. The most recognizable LA beach.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
73°F water · 73°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 0 to 10 mph.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
78 /100
great
76 Swim
76 Sunbathe
85 Walk
67 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
73°F
Clear
Wind
10 mph
SW
Rain
2%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
73°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.3 ft
14s · SSW swell
Water Quality
Above threshold
1,200 MPN/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:55 AM
Sunset
11:04 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:13 AM | High | 5.5 ft |
| 7:01 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 1:40 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| 7:21 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:05 AM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 7:36 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 2:25 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 8:37 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:08 AM | High | 3.8 ft |
| 8:10 AM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 3:14 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 10:16 PM | Low | 1.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:41 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 8:47 AM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| 4:07 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 11:50 PM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:56 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 9:37 AM | Low | 2.5 ft |
| 5:03 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 8:06 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 10:55 AM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 5:56 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:50 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:58 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 12:08 PM | Low | 3.0 ft |
| 6:46 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9410840, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
73°
Partly Sunny
2%
82
74°
Mostly Sunny
0%
83
74°
Sunny
1%
80
75°
Sunny
0%
80
76°
Sunny
1%
84
74°
Mostly Sunny
1%
83
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
1:10 AM - 2:10 AM
Major
6:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Minor
1:10 PM - 2:10 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid municipal lots and metered street parking. Beach Lot 1S (south of pier) and Lot 3N (north) are largest.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beach. Permitted leashed on the bike path.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
1550 PCH, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Santa Monica State Beach today?
Santa Monica State Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Santa Monica State Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beach. Permitted leashed on the bike path.
Is there an entry fee at Santa Monica State Beach?
Entry to Santa Monica State Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Santa Monica State Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Santa Monica State Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Santa Monica State Beach?
Amenities at Santa Monica State Beach include lifeguards, pier, amusement park, restaurants, shops, restrooms, showers, bike path.
When is the water warmest at Santa Monica State Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Santa Monica State Beach located?
Santa Monica State Beach is in Los Angeles County, CA, at 1550 PCH, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS