About This Beach
Santa Monica State Beach North extends from the iconic pier to the city boundary with Pacific Palisades, offering a quieter alternative to the bustling south beach area. This section features the original Muscle Beach with outdoor fitness equipment, plus numerous volleyball courts that host both casual players and professional tournaments. The wide beach has soft, well-maintained sand perfect for sunbathing and sandcastle building. Running parallel to the shore is the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail (also known as The Strand), popular with cyclists, joggers, and skaters. The beach offers views of the Santa Monica Mountains to the north and Malibu in the distance, with spectacular sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.