THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Explore Santa Monica by stair: a 3-hour, 5-mile guided walk that threads bluff-top parks, hidden stairways, and historic neighborhoods, ending at the Annenberg Community Beach House. Ideal for walkers who want coastal views, local stories, and a moderate workout.
Explore Santa Monica by stair: a 3-hour, 5-mile guided walk that threads bluff-top parks, hidden stairways, and historic neighborhoods, ending at the Annenberg Community Beach House. Ideal for walkers who want coastal views, local stories, and a moderate workout.
A cool ocean breeze meets the salt-scrubbed bluffs as the group gathers beneath the twenty-foot Totem Pole at the north end of Palisades Park. The guide sets a steady pace and the city slips into a quieter rhythm: concrete gives way to granite steps carved into hillside, canyon gullies curve inward, and stairways thread neighborhoods like back-alley arteries daring you to climb.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Garden Safaris · Santa Monica, California
A cool ocean breeze meets the salt-scrubbed bluffs as the group gathers beneath the twenty-foot Totem Pole at the north end of Palisades Park. The guide sets a steady pace and the city slips into a quieter rhythm: concrete gives way to granite steps carved into hillside, canyon gullies curve inward, and stairways thread neighborhoods like back-alley arteries daring you to climb.
This three-hour, roughly five-mile urban walk moves through parts of Santa Monica shaped by the Pacific and the Santa Monica Mountains — marine terraces and bluff faces that once determined where houses and paths could sit. Along the way the tour points out architectural styles from Craftsman bungalows to bold modern facades and relays local stories, including the history of the Annenberg Community Beach House (once Marion Davies’ estate) and the role of beach-driven tourism in the city’s development.
Expect coastal scrub, isolated pockets of native plantings, and stair connectors that were once informal routes between bluffs and neighborhoods. Guides typically pause at shady canyon nooks for water and stories, and finish on the beach-side esplanade near the Annenberg Beach House.
Practically: wear grippy, broken-in walking shoes, bring 1–2 liters of water, and layer for wind and sun. The route includes stair climbs and short single-track dirt connectors; steady pace and moderate fitness make the loop comfortable. Mornings offer cooler air and clearer views; weekends fill up faster, so arrive early to secure a spot and enjoy the quieter side streets before lunch crowds roll in.
Meet at the twenty-foot Totem Pole at the north end of Palisades Park (closest address 101 Ocean Ave); the guide will hold a Garden Safaris sign.
No. The tour includes multiple stairways and uneven canyon paths that are not suitable for wheelchairs or most strollers.
The walk is approximately 3 hours and about 5 miles, with several stair climbs and short dirt connector paths.
For a full refund cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time; tours may be canceled in bad weather.
Garden Safaris operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A cool ocean breeze meets the salt-scrubbed bluffs as the group gathers beneath the twenty-foot Totem Pole at the north end of Palisades Park. The guide sets a steady pace and the city slips into a quieter rhythm: concrete gives way to granite steps carved into hillside, canyon gullies curve inward, and stairways thread neighborhoods like back-alley arteries daring you to climb.
A cool ocean breeze meets the salt-scrubbed bluffs as the group gathers beneath the twenty-foot Totem Pole at the north end of Palisades Park. The guide sets a steady pace and the city slips into a quieter rhythm: concrete gives way to granite steps carved into hillside, canyon gullies curve inward, and stairways thread neighborhoods like back-alley arteries daring you to climb.
This three-hour, roughly five-mile urban walk moves through parts of Santa Monica shaped by the Pacific and the Santa Monica Mountains — marine terraces and bluff faces that once determined where houses and paths could sit. Along the way the tour points out architectural styles from Craftsman bungalows to bold modern facades and relays local stories, including the history of the Annenberg Community Beach House (once Marion Davies’ estate) and the role of beach-driven tourism in the city’s development.
Expect coastal scrub, isolated pockets of native plantings, and stair connectors that were once informal routes between bluffs and neighborhoods. Guides typically pause at shady canyon nooks for water and stories, and finish on the beach-side esplanade near the Annenberg Beach House.
Practically: wear grippy, broken-in walking shoes, bring 1–2 liters of water, and layer for wind and sun. The route includes stair climbs and short single-track dirt connectors; steady pace and moderate fitness make the loop comfortable. Mornings offer cooler air and clearer views; weekends fill up faster, so arrive early to secure a spot and enjoy the quieter side streets before lunch crowds roll in.