Palisades Park Santa Monica

Best Things to Do at Palisades Park

• Walk the 1.5-mile paved path. The main path runs the full length of the park along the bluff edge. It is flat, paved, and takes about 45 minutes round trip at a leisurely pace.
• Watch the sunset. The park faces due west over the ocean, making it one of the best free sunset spots in Los Angeles. Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset for a bench along the railing.
• Visit the Camera Obscura. A historic landmark near the south end of the park. The building houses an optical device that projects a live image of the ocean onto a viewing table inside.
• See the 9/11 Healing Memorial. A sculpture installed in 2008 honoring those lost on September 11. Located mid-park with ocean views behind it.
• Picnic on the grass. The park has grassy areas and benches throughout. Bring food from a nearby restaurant or the Farmers Market.
• Walk or run for exercise. The flat, paved path is popular with local joggers and walkers. Many extend their route down the California Incline to the beach path and back up.

Best Sunset Viewpoints

The entire west-facing railing is a sunset viewpoint, but three spots stand out:

1. California Incline Overlook (south end). The railing at the top of the Incline gives you the Pier and Ferris wheel silhouetted against the setting sun. This is the most photographed sunset spot in the park.
2. Mid-park benches (near San Vicente Blvd). The widest section of grass with the most benches. Less crowded than the south end and you can see both the Pier and Malibu coastline.
3. Adelaide Drive end (north end). The quietest section, with views up the coast toward Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Fewer people, no Pier in the frame — just open ocean.

Sunset times vary from 4:45 PM in December to 8:05 PM in June. Check the exact time for your visit date and arrive 30-45 minutes early to claim a bench.

Walking Route Through Palisades Park (45-60 Minutes)

This route covers the full 1.5-mile length of the park and back. It is flat, paved, and accessible. Start at the south end near the Pier and walk north to Adelaide Drive, then return.

Palisades Park to Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is directly below the south end of the park. From the California Incline overlook, walk down the Incline's pedestrian path (about 5 minutes) to reach the Pier and beach level. The Pier has rides, an aquarium, arcade games, and food. It is the natural endpoint of a Palisades Park walk if you are coming from the north.

Palisades Park to the Beach

There are two main ways down to the beach from the park. The California Incline at the south end has a wide, protected pedestrian path that descends to PCH and the beach in about 5 minutes. At the north end, a public staircase at the end of Idaho Avenue drops down to North Beach, which is quieter and less crowded than the area near the Pier.

California Incline Access

The California Incline is the roadway and pedestrian path that connects Ocean Avenue at the south end of Palisades Park down to Pacific Coast Highway and the beach. The pedestrian path is separated from traffic by a concrete barrier and is wide enough for two people to walk side by side. It takes about 5 minutes to walk down and 8-10 minutes to walk back up due to the incline. Cyclists share the path. For a full guide with parking info, walking times, and photography tips, see our California Incline visitor guide.

Parking

Metered street parking is available along Ocean Avenue directly beside the park. Rates are typically $1-2 per hour with a 2-hour limit in most zones. Meters operate until 8 PM. On weekends and summer evenings, parking fills up quickly — arrive before 4 PM for the best chance at a spot. Alternatively, city parking structures on 2nd and 4th Streets (a 5-minute walk east) offer the first 90 minutes free and charge $1.50-2.00 per hour after that. The City of Santa Monica parking page has real-time structure availability.

Restrooms

Public restrooms are available in the park near the Camera Obscura building, roughly midway along the route. Additional restrooms are located at the Santa Monica Pier (south end, beach level) and at North Beach (bottom of the Idaho Avenue stairs).

Dogs

Dogs are welcome in Palisades Park on leash. The park is a popular spot for local dog owners, especially in the morning hours. There is no off-leash area within the park. Owners must clean up after their dogs — waste bag stations are located along the path. Dogs are not allowed on the Santa Monica Pier, but they are allowed on the beach below the park (on leash) and on the beach bike path.

Picnics

Picnicking is allowed and common. The grassy areas between the walking path and Ocean Avenue have plenty of space. There are benches along the bluff railing, but for a picnic on the grass, bring a blanket. The Downtown Farmers Market (Wednesday and Saturday) is a 5-minute walk away and is an excellent source for picnic supplies. Alcohol is not permitted in the park.

Accessibility

The main walking path is paved, flat, and wheelchair accessible for its entire 1.5-mile length. Curb cuts are located at each cross street. The California Incline pedestrian path is also accessible, though it has a gradual slope. Benches with armrests are available throughout. The grass areas are level but may be soft for mobility devices after rain. Accessible parking spaces are located along Ocean Avenue at regular intervals.

Photography

Palisades Park is one of the most photographed locations in Santa Monica. The three best shots: (1) the Pier and Ferris wheel from the California Incline overlook, especially at golden hour; (2) the curved coastline looking north toward Malibu from mid-park; and (3) the sunset itself, framed by palm trees along the path. The bluff edge railing is low enough to shoot over with a phone or camera. For the best light, shoot 30 minutes before sunset to 15 minutes after.

Visiting With Kids

Palisades Park is stroller-friendly and safe for kids, but it is not a playground — there is no play equipment. Kids enjoy running on the grass and looking over the railing at the beach below. For a full kid-friendly outing, combine the park walk with a trip to the Pier (rides, aquarium) or Tongva Park, which has a splash pad and play area and is a 10-minute walk south along Ocean Avenue.

Best Time of Day

Morning (7-10 AM): Quietest time. Popular with local joggers and dog walkers. Cool and often overcast in summer ("June Gloom").
Midday (11 AM-3 PM): Busiest in summer. Full sun, minimal shade on the path. Good for photos with strong light.
Late afternoon/sunset (4-8 PM): The most popular time. Golden hour light, sunset watchers, and photographers. Arrive early to get a bench at the railing.

How Long to Spend

A full walk from one end to the other and back takes 45-60 minutes at a leisurely pace. If you just want to see the view and take photos, 15-20 minutes at the California Incline overlook is enough. If you are watching the sunset, plan for 60-90 minutes total (arrive early, stay until the sun drops below the horizon). Many visitors combine the park with the Pier and beach for a 2-3 hour outing.

Palisades Park vs Tongva Park

Both parks are on Ocean Avenue and free, but they serve different purposes:

If you want a long walk with the best ocean views, choose Palisades Park. If you have kids or want a more designed landscape with shade and water features, choose Tongva Park. Both are free and a 10-minute walk apart — many visitors do both.

Nearby Attractions

Palisades Park is within walking distance of most of Santa Monica's top attractions. The Santa Monica Pier is directly below the south end (5 minutes down the California Incline). The Third Street Promenade is one block east — a 3-minute walk from any point in the park. Tongva Park is a 10-minute walk south along Ocean Avenue. North Beach is accessible via the Idaho Avenue stairs at the north end. For more free things to do in Santa Monica, the park itself is a top pick. If you are planning to stay overnight, see our guide to hotels near Palisades Park — many are within a 5-minute walk.

• Free Breakfast

See nearby places to stay along Ocean Avenue with ocean views just steps from the park.