Running Clubs in Santa Monica
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Monica is one of the premier running destinations in Los Angeles, combining flat coastal paths, ocean breezes, and a vibrant fitness culture. Whether you're chasing a sunrise along the shoreline or joining an evening group run near the pier, Santa Monica has routes for every pace and distance.
The backbone of running here is the paved South Bay Bicycle Trail, which stretches 22 miles along the coast and provides a smooth, mostly flat surface perfect for tempo runs, long runs, and everything in between. Palisades Park sits high above PCH on the bluffs, offering a 1.5-mile out-and-back with sweeping Pacific Ocean views and cool marine layer mornings. For those who want more mileage, running south from the pier connects you to Venice Beach and beyond without a single traffic light. The area's running clubs typically meet near the pier, at Annenberg Beach House, or along Ocean Avenue. Parking is available in the beach lots off Barnard Way and along Main Street. Sea breezes keep temperatures mild year-round, making Santa Monica a consistent training ground for runners from casual joggers to competitive marathoners.
