HomeCaliforniaSanta Monica › Crescent Bay Park

Crescent Bay Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,993 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Monica, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Crescent Bay Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Tranquil park featuring grassy areas, benches & a pergola, plus views of the ocean.

What runners say about Crescent Bay Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (2,993 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“My ride share got me to the Park horribly late and I got to enjoy some beautiful vistas from the top of the stairs just as the March returned!”

The attached pics would say more than the review Tips - - Start from Venice beach, and walk towards Santa Monica pier between 630 to 730 local time - enjoy pier view and wine during sunset - walk from pier, away from Venice beach during morning for an awesome morning walk or run

★★★★★ — And_Eats , Aug 2019

Nice park that at the beach with ample parking. Overnight parking is available for free. You can walk to the pier, downtown, and all the way to Venice Beach if you like. There are tennis courts close by, restrooms, showers and food..you could live here as so many do.

★★★★★ — I , Aug 2019

Great place to walk and relax, sometimes it gets a bit crowded. There's restaurants, stores and arcades on the Santa Monica Pier. Minutes away walking on 3rd st. There's more restaurants a mall and so much more.

★★★★★ — Steven , Nov 2025

Very nice beach for the family. I'd really enjoyed it. The weather was great. Nice view of the buildings along the walkway. They do have scooters for you to rent with your smartphone. Nice view of Santa Monica boardwalk love it. Will like to visit again.

★★★★★ — Adrian , Jul 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 2,993 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 15 mentions

“My ride share got me to the Park horribly late and I got to enjoy some beautiful vistas from the top of the stairs just as the March returned!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 13 mentions

“Was only there a few minutes because of limited parking which forced me to park at a meter.”

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🚻 Restrooms 6 mentions

“Right in front and the beach and bathroom So it's honestly perfect, then trying to fight the crowd.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“Nice view of Santa Monica boardwalk love it.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly

“The goal was to give an ailing dog a good day, and she had one!”

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Plan your run at Crescent Bay Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitesmgov.net
  • Phone+1 310-458-8300

Hours

Monday 6 am–11 pm
Tuesday 6 am–11 pm
Wednesday 6 am–11 pm
Thursday 6 am–11 pm
Friday 6 am–11 pm
Saturday 6 am–11 pm
Sunday 6 am–11 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Crescent Bay Park

2000 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Get directions

Running trails near Santa Monica

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Barnard Way Linear Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 355 reviews

Santa Monica, CA

Scenic

Narrow park above the beach featuring a walking path with water views & many benches.

under a mile away

Ocean View Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,357 reviews

Santa Monica, CA

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Busy beachfront park features paddle tennis, basketball & tennis courts, plus a grassy lawn & hill.

under a mile away

Venice Beach Walking Trail.

4.6 ★★★★★ 30 reviews

Venice, CA

BoardwalkLitScenic

1.3 miles away

Palisades Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 8,100 reviews

Santa Monica, CA

LitScenicDog-friendly

This sizable strip of grass, palm trees & walking trails features expansive ocean views.

1.6 miles away

Clover Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,736 reviews

Santa Monica, CA

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

This 17.9-acre park includes lighted ball fields & tennis courts, plus playgrounds & picnic spots.

2.0 miles away

Santa Monica Stairs

4.7 ★★★★★ 432 reviews

Santa Monica, CA

PavedScenic

Challenging outdoor cardio workout spot featuring concrete and wooden stairs and scenic views.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in Santa Monica, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.