Santa Monica offers various sports experiences for visitors year-round. Visitors can have a go at Olympic-caliber beach volleyball or choose to do some world-class surfing; this coastal city has established itself as a premier destination for both casual participants and serious athletes. Let’s take a closer look.
Beach Volleyball Paradise
Beach volleyball enthusiasts can hit the sand where Olympic gold medalists have trained. The Santa Monica Pier 360 hosts California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) tournaments annually, with the 2024 events scheduled for June 28-29. These competitions feature a $4,000 prize pool, with men’s tournaments on Saturday and women’s on Sunday. First-place teams take home $1,000.
The same weekend features the Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame Legends Exhibition. Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings frequently trains at Santa Monica Beach during winter months, occasionally offering impromptu clinics for lucky spectators.
During evenings, visitors often unwind at local sports bars with gaming options. The increasing popularity of mobile entertainment has led many tourists to explore the best casino apps during their downtime between beach activities or while recovering after an active day of sports.
Water Sports and Ocean Activities
The World Surf League, headquartered in Santa Monica since 1976, has helped establish the city as a surfing destination. Paddle Method provides paddleboarding lessons and guided tours for all skill levels, offering a different perspective of Santa Monica’s coastline.
For swimmers, the Santa Monica Swim Center offers public swimming sessions. This facility is associated with Southern California Aquatics, founded by Olympic swimmer Clay Evans and Bonnie Adair, who sometimes conduct special training sessions.
Running and Fitness Options
The Santa Monica Track Club, home to numerous Olympic gold medalists, organizes regular community runs along the beach trails. Visitors seeking structured workouts can drop into TriFit, a comprehensive fitness center offering personal training sessions and group classes.
For a challenging outdoor workout, tackle the Santa Monica Stairs – 152 wooden steps and 18 concrete steps that connect San Vicente to Santa Monica Canyon. This popular fitness spot draws serious athletes and casual visitors, especially during morning hours.
Cycling Opportunities
Santa Monica launched its bicycle-sharing system in November 2015 and has since received Bicycle Friendly Community Awards (Bronze in 2009, Silver in 2013). The city is traversed by the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, allowing visitors to explore the coastline on two wheels. In 2023, Santa Monica scored near the 90th percentile in the PeopleForBikes City Ratings.
Multiple rental shops offer hourly and daily rates for various bicycle types, including electric options. Guided bicycle tours depart regularly from the Pier area.
Unique Sports Experiences
The semi-professional Santa Monica Rugby Club competes in the Pacific Rugby Premiership, the United States’ premier rugby union club competition. The club offers open training sessions to visitors from time to time during their season.
The Cove Skatepark provides daily skateboard sessions for any skill level, and rented skateboards are provided. The grounds frequently feature summer professional demonstrations.
Memorial Park Gym features drop-in basketball and volleyball courts at low day-use fees. Adult basketball, soccer, and softball sports leagues are operated by the Community Recreation Division year-round.
Olympic Connection
Mark your calendars for 2028, when Santa Monica will host Olympic beach volleyball and surfing competitions during the Summer Olympics. Construction and venue preparations will begin in 2026, with test events scheduled throughout 2027.
