Why is Santa Monica Beach so popular?

With the iconic Santa Monica Pier as the backdrop, it's no wonder that Santa Monica Beach is world famous. The north part of the beach consists of soft sand and surf, nestled along the coastline. These wide stretches of sand offer perfect spots for tanning, playing in the waves, and building sand castles.



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Beyond the natural elements and fitness opportunities, there's also the iconic Santa Monica Pier with its own amusement park, equipped with the world's only solar-powered Ferris Wheel and a roller coaster. So much of Santa Monica's culture stems from the beach and is reflected throughout the city.

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Venice Beach vs Santa Monica Beach—Both Are Winners Venice Beach is a vibrant beach locale that's perfect during the day, whereas the larger Santa Monica provides a wider range of things to do and a much more happening nightlife.

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Two L.A. beaches made the top 10 dirtiest list: Santa Monica Beach at the pier was on the list, then taken off after they installed a stormwater capture system there, and now it's reclaimed its spot. The water quality seems to have degraded as a result of the removal of bird netting beneath the pier.

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Santa Monica is a city, filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and lots of people all about (think Brighton on a sunny day). Malibu is a laid back, locals only, small town - not much to see except to take pictures at the Pier and watch surfers - enjoy the 27 miles of Malibu coastline on your drive up to SB.

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Yes, you can definitely swim at Santa Monica Beach as well as enjoy other water activities like surfing or paddle boarding. Even with 280 days of Santa Monica sunshine, the Pacific Ocean tends to be a little cold, so you may want to consider swimming during warmer months.

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In fact, 95 percent of Santa Monica Beach consistently receives an “A” grade or above for water quality on average. The best beach and water quality is 100 yards to the left and right of the Santa Monica Pier, thanks to the City of Santa Monica's significant investments in pollution reduction.

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