Santa Monica
A pier, a palisade, and 3.5 miles of LA's most photographed coastline.
- Distance
- ~3 miles
- Time
- 2.5 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Best at
- Late afternoon
- Stops
- 6
- Walk total
- 1.0 mi · ~21 min
Tip: open this page once with data, then it stays cached on your device. Use the printed copy if your signal drops on the route.
- 01
Camera Obscura at Palisades Park
"Start inside the Senior Recreation Center at 1450 Ocean Avenue. Ask the desk for the key to the Camera Obscura on the second floor — it's free. What city is the rotating dial labeled with as the 'view'?"
34.01670, -118.49860Pin on map - 530 m · ~7 min · head S from stop 102
Palisades Park & Route 66 End-of-Trail Sign
"Walk south along the bluff path to Colorado and Ocean. Find the white wooden 'End of the Trail' Route 66 sign. Read the city of origin listed on the plaque."
34.01190, -118.49830Pin on map - 290 m · ~4 min · head SSE from stop 203
Santa Monica Pier & Pacific Park
"Walk down the Colorado ramp to the pier entrance at 200 Santa Monica Pier. Find the year on the welcome arch. Then count the gondolas on the solar-powered Ferris wheel."
34.00940, -118.49730Pin on map - 40 m · ~1 min · head ESE from stop 304
Looff Hippodrome & Santa Monica Carousel
"On the pier deck, find the giant red-and-yellow Moorish building. Step inside to see the carousel — count the horses with a 'jewel' painted on the saddle (any color)."
34.00930, -118.49690Pin on map - 300 m · ~4 min · head NNE from stop 405
Tongva Park
"Cross Ocean Avenue to 1615 Ocean and walk into the curving pathways and fountains. Find the bronze 'Weather Field No. 1' sculpture (49 vertical poles with weather vanes). Count the vanes that are spinning."
34.01170, -118.49550Pin on map - 400 m · ~5 min · head NNW from stop 506
Third Street Promenade
"End at the pedestrian blocks between Wilshire and Broadway. Find one of the topiary dinosaur fountains (there are four). Which way are they facing?"
34.01520, -118.49650Pin on map