Santa Monica on a budget? Discover 15 amazing free things to do, from iconic spots like the Santa Monica Pier to hidden street art gems. Start exploring...
You can spend a full day in Santa Monica without paying for anything beyond parking and food. Walk the Pier and Third Street Promenade, picnic at Palisades Park, then hit the beach or the Strand bike path. All 15 free spots below were rechecked in July 2026 — nothing on this list has closed or added an entry fee.
Santa Monica has a reputation for being pricey, but most of what makes it worth visiting doesn’t cost a dime. We rechecked every address, hour, and fee note on this list in July 2026 — from the Pier down to Muscle Beach, everything below is still free to access exactly as described, with only the extras (rides, pools, lessons) carrying a charge.
Free to walk the whole length, with the historic carousel, Heal the Bay Aquarium, and Pacific Park's solar-powered Ferris wheel along the way — rides and aquarium admission are the only paid parts. Free Saturday-morning yoga and a group run return to the pier's west end April through October 2026.
Three-plus miles of soft sand for sunbathing, swimming, and sandcastles at no cost; surfing, sailing, and paddleboard rentals run extra if you want them. It sits right next to the Pier and a long stretch of beachfront dining.
A 0.4-mile pedestrian shopping strip in the heart of downtown, free to walk with regular street performers, public art, and year-round free events like the annual Pride on the Promenade festival each June.
A landmark bluff-top park with sweeping Santa Monica Bay views, palm-lined paths, and the Camera Obscura Art Lab — a pinhole-camera building projecting the outside view into a dark room inside. Bring a picnic and grab a bench along the bluff.
Running Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays across three locations, this market draws chefs and food lovers for locally grown produce and artisanal goods you can sample and browse for free even if you don't buy. Rain or shine, it runs as scheduled.
A free, striking modern library with over 500,000 items, a rooftop garden, dedicated kids' and teens' spaces, and free WiFi and computer classes. The top-floor reading room has some of the best sunlit views in the building.
Also called the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, this 22-mile paved coastal path runs from Torrance up through Santa Monica to Will Rogers State Beach — free for biking, skating, or walking, with hidden art installations along the way.
A former Marion Davies estate turned public beachfront space, with free access to the grounds, art gallery, playground, and beach. The kid-friendly pool, parking, and Marion Davies Guest House tours require a fee; there's an on-site café, Back on the Beach Café, if you want food.
Three free photo stops worth the detour: the Route 66 end-of-the-road sign at the Pier entrance, Lifeguard Tower 26 down at 2600 Ocean Front Walk, and Pacific Park's Ferris wheel, which is especially striking at sunset and sometimes changes colors at night for holidays and events.
A laid-back beachfront park with ocean views, grassy lawns, and well-maintained basketball and tennis courts. A walking path connects straight to the beach for volleyball or sunbathing after your game.
A self-guided mural tour using Santa Monica's own curated guide to the city's public art, spanning work from a rotating roster of contemporary artists. Look for the hidden ocean mural tucked in the alley behind Third Street Promenade.
A historic outdoor gym dating to the 1930s that helped put Santa Monica bodybuilding on the map. Free to watch, with occasional paid professional competitions; go early morning to catch dedicated lifters training before the crowds show up.
A free, well-kept dog park inside Joslyn Park with separate off-leash areas for large and small dogs, plus shaded seating for owners and a grassy strip where kids can watch the dogs play.
An outdoor skate facility with bowls, ramps, and a street course spanning beginner to pro-level features. Spectators get in free; skaters pay a small access fee, and 18+ skate nights run Sundays 4:30–7pm and Wednesdays 5:30–9pm.
A City of LA outdoor pool right on the Santa Monica border, with a lap-swim area, a water slide, and a shallow section for kids. Entrance and poolside access are free; swim lessons and special programs carry a fee, and the facility also runs co-ed rec sports leagues.
Yes, walking the Pier is free. You only pay for Pacific Park rides, the aquarium, or food and drinks along the way.
Yes, watching is free. Occasional professional competitions charge admission, but the historic outdoor gym itself is open to watch at no cost.
Entrance and poolside access are free. Swim lessons and special programs are the only parts that cost extra.
The Route 66 end-of-the-road sign at the Pier entrance is the most iconic, but the Pacific Park Ferris wheel at sunset is a close second.