California Digital Nomad
Everyone knows California for the incredible weather and the beaches. But people don’t talk enough about the parks that let you enjoy both at the same time.
Palisades Park is perfectly placed up on the bluffs, overlooking the beach and the Pacific Coast Highway, and it’s right next to the city of Santa Monica.
In this post, I’m going to share all the cool things I found in Palisades Park, plus a few short (but interesting) historical facts about the monuments along the path. My two favorites were the statues that explain how Santa Monica got its name, and how the park was protected from private developers so the public can still enjoy these same views, just like people did way back in the 1800s.
If you’re thinking about visiting, this should help you decide. I’ll start with the basics, then get into more detail on each thing I saw. And by the way, I think this park is great for families with kids, couples of all ages, and solo trippers like me.
Palisades Park Begins From The Top of Santa Monica Pier
Stats about the park
Length: 1.6 miles (2.6 km)
Walk time: 1 hour
Let’s start with parking. It’s one question I always have everywhere I go, it’s where can I park my car so I can go enjoy what I came here for.
There are a lot of options around here, but I parked next to the Santa Monica Pier. Since I was planning to be at the beach all day, it was perfect. You can park there until 2:00 am for only $8.
Most of the nearby state beach lots close earlier, usually around 6:00 PM, and some stay open a little later (8–10 PM) depending on the season. They also charge closer to $15. They’re open longer during summer, but for me, parking by the pier was still the best choice.
From there, I rode my bike on the Marvin Braude bike trail, under the Santa Monica Pier, and made my way around towards the bridge. That’s where they Palisades Park begins.
There’s a lot to see on the way to the park, including the original Hot Dog on a Stick shack, the Looff Hippodrome carousel, and a few other landmarks. If you don’t have a bike, there are plenty of rental shops around the beach and downtown, including e-bikes you can unlock by scanning a QR code and activating them on your phone.
The Palisades Park Has Over A Dozen Distinct Monuments
When I came to ride through Palisades Park, I didn’t expect to see so many cool looking monuments.
It’s a really beautiful stretch of park, with tall palm trees lining the path, benches facing the ocean breeze, and wide patches of grass where you can sit down and just hang out. It feels like the perfect place for a slow ride, a picnic, or a quick break in the shade. I honestly loved it.
As it got later in the day and the sun started dropping toward the horizon, the park got a lot shadier. What I noticed was how some of the benches were placed in perfect spots to catch that shade at the right time. Whoever engineered the layout of the park did a great job.
Monument 1: Rodman Gun Cannons Guarding The Coastline
First up is the Rodman Gun cannons. There’s two in the park, and they are the oldest historical artifacts in Palisades Park, serving as a reminder of the city's early 20th-century civic pride. They’re located at the southern end of the park, near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Broadway.
History and Origin
These cannons are authentic pieces of military hardware from the Civil War era, though they were brought to Santa Monica much later as monuments. These are 1861 model Rodman seacoast guns, named after their inventor, Thomas Jackson Rodman. They were famous for a "hollow casting" method that made them the most reliable heavy artillery of the 19th century.
The 1908 Dedication: The federal government loaned these surplus guns to Santa Monica in 1908. They were officially dedicated on July 4th of that year to coincide with the arrival of President Theodore Roosevelt’s "Great White Fleet" off the California coast.
A Century of Service: The cannons have remained in their exact spots for over 115 years, sitting on their original concrete pads which still bear the 1908 dedication date.
While the cannons were never fired in combat here, they still hold deep symbolic value for the Santa Monica coastline. They were positioned to overlook the bay, symbolically "guarding" the entrance to the city and the pier during a time of heightened national patriotism.
Fun Facts
You’ll notice the cannons have a distinct, bulging "bottle" shape. This was a deliberate engineering choice to provide extra thickness at the breech, where the explosion of gunpowder created the most pressure.
Each of these guns weighs approximately 15,000 pounds. Moving them from San Francisco to the Santa Monica bluffs in 1908 was a massive logistical feat involving heavy rail and horse-drawn teams.
During World War II, many historical iron monuments across the country were melted down for scrap metal to support the war effort. These cannons were spared, making them rare survivors of that era's scrap drives.
There’s So Many Squirrels Everywhere in The Park
I was surprised these squirrels don’t run away like they do back at my city park. They might be used to people trying to feed them (which you’re not supposed to do), but it made it easy for me to get a good up-close shot.
There’s even an area people call “Squirrel Kingdom” because there are so many of them. They didn’t bother me or anyone else. I think they’re just out here enjoying the beach weather like the rest of us.
Because there’s so many of them throughout the park, it felt worth sharing it so you’re not surprised when you go here. I seen plenty of people laying out on the grass taking naps, so they aren’t a problem.
Monument 2: The Arizona Avenue Bridge for Beach Access
The Arizona Avenue Bridge, often referred to as the Arizona Avenue Pedestrian Overpass, is a vital and scenic link connecting the elevated bluffs of Palisades Park to the shores of Santa Monica State Beach. This structure serves as one of the most popular access points for pedestrians looking to bypass the busy Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) below.
History and Significance
The bridge was designed to solve a long-standing logistical challenge in Santa Monica, the steep clay cliffs that separated the growing city from the ocean. Before modern overpasses were built, visitors had to navigate precarious wooden stairs, such as the famous "99 Steps," to reach the beach.
Cultural Landmark: The bridge is a favorite spot for photographers because it offers a perfectly centered view of the Santa Monica Pier to the south and the sprawling coastline to the north.
Digital Recognition: Gamers often visit this specific bridge because it was meticulously recreated in Grand Theft Auto V as part of the "Del Perro" area, making it a real-world destination for fans of the franchise.
It is widely considered one of the best "free" sunset viewing spots in the city. The bridge's orientation allows you to watch the sun dip directly into the Pacific while the lights of the pier begin to glow in the background.
Monument 3: Santa Monica Veterans Memorial For All 5 Military Branches
I spotted this monument as I rode past it, but I didn’t even think to stop and read it. Later, when I got home and looked it up, I realized it’s actually a Veteran’s Memorial.
The Santa Monica Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 1998, and it’s the city’s main place to honor people who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It was created with help from the City of Santa Monica and local veterans’ groups, as a permanent spot for ceremonies and quiet reflection.
The part that stands out the most is the five tall granite pillars. Each one represents a branch of the military: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
Fun Facts
Architectural Alignment: The pillars are positioned so that at certain times of day, the shadows they cast point toward the ocean, symbolically linking the service members' journeys abroad with the home they were protecting.
The Time Capsule: There is a time capsule buried near the base of the memorial containing letters from local veterans and artifacts from the late 1990s, intended to be opened by future generations of Santa Monicans.
Monument 4: Saint Monica Statue & How The City Got its Name
The Saint Monica statue is an 18-foot-tall monument dedicated to the city's namesake, Saint Monica. This Art Deco figure has watched over the bluffs since its completion in 1934, serving as a symbolic "tower of strength" for the community.
As I rode toward the center of the park, this statue immediately stood out to me. I had never really thought about how the city got its name until I saw this beautiful statue. And if you position yourself just right, you can get the sun in the background to align with the head of the statue for a cool glowing effect.
The Legend of the City's Name
The city is named after Saint Monica because of a poetic observation made by Spanish explorers in the 1700s. According to the most popular account, a member of the Portolá expedition—specifically Father Juan Crespí, encountered a pair of natural springs (the Kuruvungna Springs) on a hot day in May. He said it reminded him of the tears that Saint Monica shed for her son Augustine.
Saint Monica's patience is legendary—she prayed for her son Augustine's conversion for 17 years before he became one of Christianity's most influential theologians. This statue honors that unwavering devotion.
Positioned at the foot of Wilshire Boulevard, she is meant to look out over the Pacific as a "protectress" of the coastline, symbolizing the enduring strength and patience associated with her historical figure.
Monument 5 Senator John P. Jones Memorial Seat
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Senator John P. Jones lived in a grand mansion called "Miramar" (where the hotel is now). Every single evening, he would cross the street with his dogs and sit on the edge of the bluffs to watch the sun go down over the Pacific.
The memorial has a very famous and touching inscription that reads:
"In the evening of his life, John P. Jones used to come each day to watch the sun set over the ocean."
The memorial was designed by Robert Farquhar, who was actually Jones' son-in-law (and the same architect who designed the Pentagon in D.C.!).
I find it interesting how so many things and people connect back to major cities and big events. The more history I learn, the more it amazes me how far some people’s influence really went.
Monument 6: Beacon Lookout gives you one of the best views in the park
The Beacon Lookout is a large, sculptural installation by artist Donald Lipski, completed in 1898 (though it feels much more modern). It is designed to look like a combination of a ship's mast, a surveyor's tool, and a piece of industrial machinery.
It’s a cool little structure that kind of looks like a ship. The wooden planks stick out toward the edge of the bluffs, and you get this wide view of the whole coastline, the PCH running below, and the city right behind you. There’s also another bridge nearby that connects down toward the beach.
The views from here were incredible. Next time I’m coming back later in the evening so I can catch the sky changing colors at sunset.
Fun Facts
The "North Star": The tall, galvanized steel pole is actually a "beacon." In the past, it was designed to catch the sunlight and act as a landmark for people both in the park and out at sea.
The Viewing Platform: The "wooden ramp" you noticed is a raised viewing deck. Lipski designed it this way to give people a specific, elevated perspective of the horizon. It’s meant to mimic the feeling of standing on the prow of a ship looking out over the Pacific.
The pole isn't just a pole. It’s actually a tapered mast inspired by the sailing ships that used to dock at the long wharves in the late 1800s. It’s a nod to Santa Monica’s history as a major shipping port before the Port of Los Angeles took over that role down in San Pedro.
Monument 7: The Redwood Pergola From 1912
Originally built in 1912, the Redwood Pergola was designed as an intentional "resting point" that made Palisades Park even more enjoyable. The park itself was shaped in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to become one of the country’s premier oceanfront promenades.
After biking for about an hour, mostly taking my time, this was a great spot to hang out and get a little shade from the sun. When I crossed the Pergola opening in the center, you get another stunning view of the coast. It felt kind of private as not many people were here and your standing behind the Pergola structure.
Fun Facts
Historic Restoration: While the original structure eventually succumbed to the salt air and age, it was meticulously reconstructed in the early 2000s using sustainably harvested redwood to match the original 1912 design.
Architectural Detail: The pergola features heavy timber beams and classic craftsman-style joinery, supported by large concrete pillars that have been finished to blend in with the natural aesthetic of the park.
Visitors often note that the area under the pergola is noticeably cooler and quieter than the rest of the park, making it a popular spot for reading, meditation, or simply escaping the midday sun.
When the original pergola was built in 1912, walking through parks was a primary form of social recreation. The structure was placed specifically to provide a shaded destination for people walking the length of the bluffs, offering a place to sit and socialize out of the direct sun.
Architects of that era often used pergolas to "frame" a beautiful view. The beams were spaced and angled specifically to draw the eye toward the horizon and the Santa Monica Mountains to the north, creating a natural gallery for the Pacific Ocean.
Monument 8: The Idaho Gates Historic Boundary Markers
The four small stone pillars at the entrance of the Idaho Gates (the Idaho Avenue Pedestrian Overpass) are historic boundary markers that serve as a "prologue" to the modern bridge.
These four small stone pillars caught my attention, and as I went to take another rest under the tree in the grass area past these pillars in the picture, I found a gate for a ramp that leads towards that bridge. Hence, Idaho Gates.
It’s called the "Idaho Gates" because it sits at the western end of Idaho Avenue. In Santa Monica history, these "gates" or "overpasses" were the vital links that allowed the city on the hill to finally access the recreation on the sand.
These pillars date back to the early development of the park, likely installed around the same time as the original 1912 Redwood Pergola. They were part of a coordinated effort by city founders like Arcadia Bandini de Baker and John P. Jones to create a formal, "stately" entrance for every major street that terminated at the ocean bluffs.
The "Gateway" Concept: In Victorian and Edwardian park design, a "gate" didn't always have a moving door; it was often represented by pillars (known as stelae or bollards) that signaled a transition from the "urban" street into the "natural" sanctuary of the park.
Preservation Choice: When the old, failing wooden bridge was demolished in 2014, the community and the Landmarks Commission insisted that these specific pillars remain. They were carefully protected during the construction of the new $10 million overpass to ensure the modern design didn't completely erase the park's "Craftsman" roots.
A Geographic Anchor: Each pillar aligns with the original property lines of the Idaho Avenue tract. They serve as a physical reminder of the city's 19th-century grid system meeting the rugged, unpredictable edge of the Pacific coastline.
Monument 9: Public Art Gestation III
The "Gestation III" sculpture is one of the most intellectually deep pieces of art in Palisades Park. It’s located in the northern, quieter section of the park (near the Idaho Gates), and its history is rooted in the "Environmental Art" movement of the early 1990s.
The piece was created in 1991 by artist Baile Oakes. Oakes is famous for making large-scale public sculptures that explore the relationship between humans and the planet.
It was part of Santa Monica’s effort to turn the northern bluffs into a "contemplative" space. While the Pier is for high energy and noise, this end of the park was designed for reflection.
It’s constructed from Silicon Bronze and Cedar wood. The bronze is incredibly durable against the salty ocean air, while the cedar provides an organic, "earthy" heart to the piece.
Significance to the Area
"Gestation III" acts as a physical metaphor for the protection of the California coast.
A Sacred Space: The name "Gestation" refers to the development of life. The interlacing bronze bands are meant to look like a protective "womb" or a bird's nest.
The "Window" to the Horizon: The sculpture is hollow and intentionally aligned. If you stand inside it, the gaps in the bronze bands are designed to frame specific views of the Pacific Ocean and the horizon, forcing the viewer to focus on the vastness of the sea from a "safe" interior space.
The curves and organic shapes of the sculpture are meant to lower stress levels and induce a state of "awe," which scientists say is one of the most beneficial emotions for brain health.
Most public art has a "Do Not Touch" rule, but Baile Oakes specifically designed this so people could step inside the sculpture. He wanted it to be an immersive experience, not just something you look at from a distance.
Hidden Acoustics: If you stand inside and talk (or record audio for your video), you’ll notice the sound changes. The curved bronze bands reflect your voice back to you, creating a small "acoustic pocket" that blocks out some of the traffic noise from the PCH below.
Monument 10: Arcadia Bandini de Baker: The "Godmother" of Santa Monica
The Arcadia Bandini de Baker Statue is a bronze bust located in the northern half of Palisades Park. It commemorates the woman known as the "Godmother of Santa Monica," whose influence bridged the transition from the Spanish Rancho era to the birth of the modern city.
Arcadia Bandini was a member of a wealthy and powerful "Californio" family. She inherited the massive 30,000-acre Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica, which encompasses much of what is now Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Pacific Palisades.
Her Significance to the Area
Arcadia wasn't just a donor, she was the link between the old Rancho era and the modern American city.
Unlike many other Rancho owners who lost their land during the transition to American rule, Arcadia was incredibly sharp. She partnered with John P. Jones to subdivide the land and create the townsite of Santa Monica in 1875.
Preserving the View: The most significant thing she did for the area was the deed restriction she placed on the park land. She knew developers would eventually want to build high-rises on the cliffside, so she legally blocked it forever to ensure the public would always have that ocean view.
Fun Facts
A Teenage Bride: In a move that was common for the time but shocking today, she married the wealthy American businessman Abel Stearns when she was just 14 years old. This marriage combined her family's land with his massive fortune, making them the most powerful couple in Southern California.
The "Queen of Los Angeles": She was so wealthy and influential that she was often called the "Queen of Los Angeles." When she threw parties at her mansion (where the Fairmont Miramar is now), it was the biggest social event in the state.
She Never Had Kids: Despite her massive wealth and influence, Arcadia had no children. When she died in 1912, her fortune (valued at $8–$15 million back then—billions today) sparked one of the longest and most famous legal battles in California history between her distant relatives.
The "Palisades" Name: She is actually the one who pushed for the name "Palisades" for the park, inspired by the dramatic cliffs.
Monument 11: Chess Park at Palisades Park
Chess Park is a dedicated pocket of the bluffs designed for strategy and social interaction. Situated near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, this area serves as a communal "outdoor living room" where locals and visitors gather over the game of chess.
The park was established to provide a permanent home for the long-standing tradition of street chess in Santa Monica. Before these permanent tables were installed, players would often bring their own boards to various benches along the bluffs, but the city eventually formalized the space to celebrate this specific subculture.
When I passed through, there were only a few people here, mostly enjoying the shade under the large trees. I’d love to come back and see people filling this area playing chess.
A Social Landmark: For decades, this spot has been a melting pot where people from all walks of life—from students to retirees—meet to compete. It’s significant to the area because it preserves a "slow-paced" form of recreation in a city that is otherwise very fast-moving and tourist-heavy.
The "Hustler" Culture: Much like the famous chess tables in New York's Washington Square Park, this area has a storied history of high-level amateur play and "speed chess" matches that draw crowds of spectators.
Very Beautiful Stretch of California Palm Trees and Lots of Relaxing Park Benches
There are so many benches tucked between the trees—some right along the bluffs, some in the shade, and a few in these little private corners where it feels like you’ve got your own spot.
Then you’ve got this long stretch of grass, tons of trees, and those iconic California palm trees all lined up. It made for a really great bike ride with that cool beach weather. It’s also perfect for pictures.
What looked the most relaxing was seeing people laying out blankets, or just lying out on the well-kept grass to take a nap. I’m telling you, this park is such a pleasant place to hang out and slow down. Next time I’m bringing a book and staying long enough to watch the sunset.
Monument 12: The Totem Pole With Indigenous Roots
The Totem Pole is a striking wooden monument located at the northernmost point of Palisades Park, where the bluffs overlook the start of the California Incline. This landmark has stood as a silent sentry over the coastline for nearly a century, offering a unique connection to Pacific Northwest artistry in the heart of Southern California.
The pole was a gift to the city of Santa Monica in the 1920s, reflecting a period when "Roadside Americana" and unique landmarks were being used to draw tourists to the coast.
It was donated in 1925 by J. Harvey McCarthy, a prominent real estate developer who was responsible for creating the nearby "Carthay Circle" neighborhood in Los Angeles.
The pole was carved by members of the Haida or Tlingit tribes from the Pacific Northwest (specifically Southeast Alaska or British Columbia). It was originally carved from a single log of Western Red Cedar, a wood prized for its durability against the elements.
Historical Preservation: The pole you see today is a result of extensive restoration. Over the decades, the salt air and sun caused the original wood to rot and the paint to fade. In the late 20th century, the city commissioned professional restorers to stabilize the wood and repaint the figures using traditional colors (red, black, and blue-green).
Finding Peace at Palisades Park
I work too hard to not enjoy a peaceful trip like this.
I spend a lot of time clocking hours at my day job, and it gets stressful sometimes. It gets even worse when I don’t do anything on my days off. I used to be a homebody, but that phase has run its course. These days, I’d rather be outside doing something affordable, seeing people, seeing nature, and getting some healthy movement to take care of my body.
I bought a bike on Facebook Marketplace for $170. It’s a good starter bike, and it’s perfect for trips like this. I can ride through trails, parks, and different areas, explore more of the world, and even meet new people along the way.
And it doesn’t really cost much. I only paid for parking and fuel and ate food I brought from home. That’s a small price to pay to enjoy life, reset my mind, and keep improving my health.
So that’s what this trip was for, a simple way to destress, stay active, and have fun exploring Palisades Park in Santa Monica.
My Total Cost:
Fuel $40
Parking $8
Total Cost = $48
See you next time.
Amado Aguilar
Explore. Adventure. Enjoy.
California Digital Nomad