It's about 2.5 miles (4 km) from Santa Monica Pier to the Venice skatepark. Flat, sunny, and full of things to look at. It's also about 50 minutes of walking, which is exactly when your body remembers that large iced coffee.
Good news: this stretch of coast is one of the easiest in LA for bathrooms, and almost every stop below is free. Here they are, in walking order.
Before you start
1Santa Monica Place Free
395 Santa Monica Pl · top of Third Street Promenade
The open-air mall at the end of the Promenade. Restrooms are on the upper level. The last calm, indoor option before the beach.
The walk
2Santa Monica Pier Free
Pier deck and beach level
Public restrooms on the pier and below it by the sand. On summer weekends there can be a line; if one is busy, try the other.
3Beach restrooms at Bay Street Free
2600 Barnard Way · on the beach path, about 1 mile south of the pier
A simple restroom building right on the bike and walking path. Handy halfway point.
4Ocean Park Branch Library Free
2601 Main St · two blocks inland
A small detour to Main Street, which has good cafés anyway. Open during library hours only.
5Venice Beach restrooms at Rose Avenue Free
Rose Ave and Ocean Front Walk
Where the Venice Boardwalk begins. The restroom building is next to the beach parking lot.
★Heron CA Laloo partner
517 Ocean Front Walk, Venice
California coastal clothing, vintage and original designs, right on the Boardwalk. Show the code LALOO10 at the register. Full disclosure: Heron CA is run by Laloo's founder. This is a shop stop, not a restroom.
6Venice Beach restrooms at Windward Avenue Free
Near the skatepark and Muscle Beach
The busiest part of the Boardwalk. Restrooms are right by the skatepark, so you can watch the tricks while you wait.
7Venice Pier Free
Washington Blvd · south end of the Boardwalk
If you keep walking to the fishing pier, there are restrooms at its foot. From here, Marina del Rey is next door.
Good to know
As of September 2026, all the public restrooms on this route are free. They are run by the cities of Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Beach restrooms are open in the daytime and some close around sunset. Carry a few tissues, just in case.
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