Santa Monica Pier to Venice Pier - A Great 5 Mile Out and Back Run

If you are a visitor to Southern California, or evenway adjacent to the beach. Look both ways
a local, one of the best places to run is on Oceanbefore crossing the bike way. Some cyclists
Front Walk that runs along the beach betweenassume that pedestrians cross at their own risk.
Santa Monica and Venice. If you are a compulsiveDo not run on the bike path. Stay on the
who needs to know how many miles you havewalkway.
run, keep reading. An avid math guy has used aThe paths will make a half left by a toddler
calibrated wheel to check out half mile landmarks.playground. Turn around here for two miles.
Drive to the Santa Monica Pier parking lot andRun by the playground and a refreshment stand
park in the far corner of the main lot. Oceanbike rental area and back right to the walk along
Front Walk is at the back of this lot.the beach. After a long straight way, the path will
Walk away from the pier until you come to aturn left for a few hundred feet and pass behind
curb on the right side. Just past the exit of thea townhouse area. You will see a couple of
main lot is your start. At one time, there was amanhole covers in the walk and bike path. Turn
small yellow paint mark on the curb marking thearound here for three miles.
start. It may still be there but if not start at theContinue straight through, observing the local stalls
edge of the main lot.and street performers. Eventually you will see a
Start running toward the pier, pass under it androw of stores in a long red brick building. Look for
continue along the walk past a playground anda wheel chair lift adjacent to the brick stairs. Turn
bike rental shop and behind the ocean front hotels.here for four miles.
For a mile run turn around at the dead end streetContinue running by a collection of both old and
adjacent to the Shutters Hotel.new Venice architecture. Soon you will see a park
Continue until you come to another parking lotarea with rest rooms on your right.
and then veer right to the bike way and walk