Hours & Fees

Santa Monica State Beach is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year, and there is no fee to walk onto the sand. What you pay for is parking: a summer day in the City lots by the Pier costs $20, and less in the lots farther north and south and in winter. The Santa Monica Pier is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and is free to walk.

Beach Hours

The City lists Santa Monica State Beach hours as sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. On the day we checked, the City's page showed 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., so the posted times follow the season. The beach is open all year.

The City asks visitors to plan ahead, especially in the summer months.

Fees

• Beach entry: free. Neither the City nor California State Parks lists an entry fee.
• Parking: the main cost. See the table below and the full parking guide.
• The Pier: free to walk. Rides, games, food and the aquarium cost extra.
• Pacific Park: free to enter; rides about $5 to $15 each.
• Heal the Bay Aquarium: $12 adults, $5 kids 4 to 12.
• Annenberg Beach House pool: same-day passes sold on site in summer.

Parking Costs by Season

From the City's pricing table (rates from January 12, 2026). Summer = April to October; winter = November to March.

• Central lots by the Pier (1 North to 3 North, 1 South to 3 South): $20 a day in summer; $8 weekdays and $12 weekends in winter.
• Northern lots (4 North to 9 North): $12 weekdays and $15 weekends in summer; $8 and $12 in winter.
• Southern lots (4 South, 5 South): $12 weekdays and $15 weekends in summer; $7 and $10 in winter.
• Short-term lots: $3 an hour in summer, $2 in winter.
• Pier deck: $4.25 an hour in summer, capped at $20 on weekdays and $22 on weekends.
• Annenberg Beach House lot: $4 an hour; $15 a day in summer, $10 in winter.
• Disabled placards: half the posted rate.

Other Hours Nearby

• Santa Monica Pier: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Shops and rides keep their own hours.
• Pier deck parking: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., during Pier Bridge work.
• Beach Lot 1 North: 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Most other beach lots: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Pacific Park: changes by season and day; check its calendar.
• Heal the Bay Aquarium: weekend public hours paused since October 19, 2026; open houses instead.
• Annenberg Beach House grounds: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (April to October), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (November to March).
• Palisades Park: 5 a.m. to midnight.

Holidays

The Annenberg Beach House gated area closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, though its parking and beach access stay open. The City lists no holiday closures for the beach itself.