Get outdoors · Santa Monica, United States
8 Outdoor Adventures Near Santa Monica
Hikes, viewpoints and wild days out, all reachable from Santa Monica without changing hotels.
Everything here sits within 100 km of Santa Monica, ordered by review volume from real travelers. Distances are measured, not guessed. Updated monthly.
Runyon Canyon Park
Park & nature17 km awayFree entryRunyon Canyon Park is a 160-acre urban park in the Hollywood Hills, renowned for its hiking trails and spectacular vistas.
Read our full guide →Pershing Square (Los Angeles)
Park & nature22 km awayPershing Square is a historic five-acre park in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, established in 1866.
Read our full guide →Grand Park
Park & nature23 km awayGrand Park is a vibrant 12-acre linear park that connects Los Angeles City Hall with the Music Center, creating a green corridor through downtown.
Read our full guide →MacArthur Park
Park & nature20 km awayFree entryMacArthur Park is a longstanding public park in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, bordered by Wilshire Boulevard and Alvarado Street.
Read our full guide →Central Park
Park & nature34 km awayFree entryCentral Park is a modest 1.5-acre park located in downtown Pasadena, California. It features a children's playground, shaded benches, and grassy areas perfect for picnics or reading.
Read our full guide →UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden
Park & nature6 km awayFree entryNestled within the bustling Westside of Los Angeles, the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden offers a tranquil escape into nature.
Read our full guide →Bluff Park
Park & nature42 km awayFree entryBluff Park stretches along Ocean Boulevard on a bluff above the beach, providing a green oasis with panoramic ocean views.
Read our full guide →Carbon Beach
Park & nature17 km awayFree entryCarbon Beach, also known as Billionaire's Beach, is a narrow but beautiful stretch of sand along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
Outdoor and active spots around Santa Monica — trails, viewpoints, water and adrenaline — ranked by real review volume out of the 16 places we track. Updated monthly.
Good to know
Some activities near Santa Monica are weather- or season-dependent, so confirm they're running.
Popular tours and rentals sell out on weekends and holidays.
Bring layers and water; outdoor conditions shift faster than in the city.
Common questions
What outdoor activities are there in Santa Monica?+
The list above covers the top-rated active things to do in and around Santa Monica, from easy walks to bigger adventures.
Is Santa Monica good for adventure travel?+
Yes — this page ranks the outdoor experiences visitors rate most highly.
Do you need to book activities in advance?+
Guided and equipment-based activities are best booked ahead, especially in peak season.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.