68°
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
0%
67
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
Great day for a beach walk.
Cool but workable
Full NWS forecast for Today
Patchy fog before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Patchy fog after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 0 to 10 mph.
Weather
- 68°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 64°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 3.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
57 /100
good
41 Swim
67 Sunbathe
80 Walk
63 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
68°F
Cloudy
Wind
0 to 10 mph
SSW
Rain
0%
Today
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
68°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
64°F
Cold
Next High Tide
7:11 PM
5.6 ft · in 4.4h
Wave Height
3.9 ft
15s · SSW swell
Water Quality
Above threshold
1,200 MPN/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:44 AM
Sunset
11:09 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:04 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:34 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 12:31 PM | Low | 2.4 ft |
| 7:11 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
68°
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
0%
67
67°
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
0%
67
67°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
0%
67
67°
Mostly Sunny
0%
67
67°
Mostly Sunny
0%
67
67°
Mostly Sunny
0%
67
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 64°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.
Major
11:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Minor
4:50 AM - 5:50 AM
Major
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Minor
7:20 PM - 8:20 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
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Santa Monica State Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Santa Monica State Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
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