Access/Parking

Parking at Santa Monica Beach

There are eight beach parking lots north of Santa Monica Pier along Pacific Coast Highway. In addition to the Pier Parking Deck, five beach lots are near the Pier (two north, three south, and the Pier Parking Deck), and two beach lots are located farther south at Bicknell and at Ocean Park Boulevard.

There are also several short-term parking lots along the beach. Metered parking rates are approximately $1 per hour. In the beach parking lots, visitors deposit money in a central kiosk according to the parking space number. The kiosk then produces a stub that should be placed visibly on the dashboard of the car. Always read and obey any applicable signs and always carefully read the meter instructions. Different restrictions and regulations may apply in different areas. In order to avoid a ticket, do not park in restricted areas.

Pick up a Santa Monica Official Visitors Map at any of our Visitor Information Center locations or download a printable PDF. For more information, visit Santa Monica Parking for a comprehensive parking map of the city with real-time parking availability.

SANTA MONICA Beach Access

Several options offer easy pedestrian access to the Santa Monica beach. At the end of Colorado Blvd., a ramp leads to the Pier, and steps descend to the beach. North of the Pier, four pedestrian bridges arch over the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), connecting Palisades Park to the beach, at Montana Ave., Idaho St., Arizona Ave. and Broadway Ave.