Southern California Outdoor Recreation at its Best

Those who love the outdoors have found paradise in Santa Monica, California. With a beautiful beach and a scenic coastal mountain range at your disposal, the possibilities for al fresco excitement are endless. Grab your sunglasses and sunscreen and discover why Southern California is synonymous with an active outdoor lifestyle. Here are several of the innumerable options to pursue:

Santa Monica State Beach
In this city, life is definitely a beach and visitors should not miss a chance to sink their toes into the soft sand as the waves of the Pacific Ocean beckon. The best place to get to the beach is from the Santa Monica Pier, just steps from our hotel.

This 3.5 mile-long beach is cleaned and raked daily and is also staffed by lifeguards during daylight hours. This beach is also known for its mild surf, making it an optimal choice for swimmers, boogey boarders and novice surfers. Families with little ones should be sure to visit the south end of the beach where there is a playground, restroom facilities and a picnic area.

South Bay Bicycle Trail
Those who come to Southern California will find that the bicycle is a very popular means of transportation. Not only a great way to save money and natural resources, bike riding is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny climate as well as the spectacular scenery.

The trail, a total of 22 miles in length, extends beyond the Santa Monica State Beach north to Pacific Palisades and south to Torrance, making it the longest beach path of its kind in the world. When staying at our Santa Monica hotel, getting out on this bike trail is easy with our convenient bicycle rentals on-site.

Volleyball
If you are a beach volleyball enthusiast, this city is an ideal place to hone your skills. Volleyball courts are located in various places north and south of Santa Monica Pier. Volleyballs can be rented at any of the Perry's Café locations on Ocean Front Walk.  Be sure to get your spot early – courts are accessible on a first come-first serve basis, but reservations may also be made by calling (310) 458-8300.

Santa Monica Mountains
Although Santa Monica is well-known for its incredible beach scene, the nearby mountains are also the perfect spot for some outdoor action. Recreation opportunities abound at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, including: horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, surfing, camping and even Segway® tours. Call (805) 370-2301 for more information.

A refreshing alternative to Santa Monica Beach hotels, Holiday Inn Santa Monica Beach - At the Pier invites you to experience our warm hospitality, the finest of amenities and relaxing, amply-appointed accommodations. Reserve your Santa Monica hotel room online today for our Lowest Internet Rate Guarantee.