Santa Monica Beach Bike Path

The bike path along Santa Monica State Beach is part of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, a 22-mile paved path on the Los Angeles County coast from Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades to Torrance Beach. In Santa Monica it runs about three miles on the sand, from Will Rogers State Beach in the north to Venice in the south, with a separate walking path beside it. It is open year-round, and e-scooters are not allowed on it.

The Route Through Santa Monica

Going north to south:

1. Will Rogers State Beach, where the trail begins. See Will Rogers State Beach.
2. The Annenberg Community Beach House at 415 Pacific Coast Highway, with restrooms, a café and parking. See Annenberg Beach House.
3. The long north beach below the Palisades bluffs, past Beach Lots 9 North to 3 North.
4. The Santa Monica Pier, where the path passes the Pier. See Santa Monica Pier.
5. Original Muscle Beach and the south beach lots along Appian Way and Barnard Way. See Muscle Beach.
6. Venice, where the trail continues south toward Marina del Rey and the South Bay.

LA County publishes a trail map with mile markers between beaches and restroom locations; download it from the County's bike path page before a long ride.

Rules on the Path

• Bikes on the bike path, people on the walking path. The City notes that a pedestrian path runs parallel to the bike path through Santa Monica. Walkers, runners and skaters with strollers should use it.
• No e-scooters. The City bans e-scooters on the beach bike paths, the Santa Monica Pier, Ocean Front Walk, the Third Street Promenade and City parks including Palisades Park. A violation can get you a ticket.
• Bikes are allowed on the Pier, according to the Pier Corporation. Ride slowly on the deck on busy days.

Renting a Bike

The Pier Corporation lists these options near the Pier:

• Blazing Saddles, 320 Santa Monica Pier, 310-393-9778.
• Perry's Cafe and Beach Rentals, which rents bikes, boogie boards, chairs and umbrellas and runs guided beach bike tours.
• Santa Monica Bike Share, with stations near the Pier.

Parking for a Ride

Any beach lot along the path works. Lot 1 North at the Pier stays open until 2 a.m.; the Annenberg Beach House lot charges by the hour, which suits a short ride. See parking for every lot and rate.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: a flat, car-free ride with the ocean on one side, families on cruisers, and a one-way trip to Venice or Will Rogers and back.

Maybe skip if: you want a fast training ride on a summer weekend afternoon, when the path near the Pier is crowded. Go early in the morning.

Who Maintains It

LA County Public Works maintains most of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail. For bikeway information and path closures, the County points to Public Works' Bikeways website.