Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier is a pier break in Santa Monica, CA, covered by a free live cam from explore.org.

About the Break

Santa Monica’s beach break sits in the lee of Malibu’s headlands and doesn’t see the same swell exposure as spots further up the coast, but the sandbars near the pier turn on fun, beginner-friendly waves on a west or southwest swell. The wide, flat beach and lifeguard presence make it one of the region’s go-to learn-to-surf spots. As a pier break, it draws a range of skill levels, but the pilings themselves are a real, fixed hazard worth respecting, especially in bigger swell or a strong current.

Surf Etiquette at Pier Breaks

Pier breaks add one real hazard beach breaks don’t have: the pilings themselves. Give them a wide berth, especially in bigger swell or onshore wind where currents can push you sideways into them, and never assume the wave will let you cut it close. Etiquette-wise, the usual rules apply — the surfer closest to the peak has right of way, don’t drop in on a rider already up — but pier peaks often draw a steady crowd since the structure itself tends to shape a consistent peak, so expect more people sharing fewer waves than at an open beach break nearby.

About the Cam Host

The cam is provided by explore.org, a nonprofit livecam and documentary network describing itself as “the world’s leading philanthropic live nature cam network,” operated under Explore Annenberg LLC. Watch Live Cam →

Location & Access

Santa Monica Pier sits on the Pacific coast in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. See the California surf guide for the full regional picture →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Santa Monica Pier surf cam free to watch? Yes — every cam in the directory is free and public, no login required.

Where exactly is the camera? At explore.org in Santa Monica, CA — see the map above.

Are there other free surf cams nearby? Yes — see Nearby Live Cams below.