By Lookout Staff

February 27, 2024 -- Santa Monica State Beach was named one of the top ten beaches in the U.S. by Tripadvisor based on reviews posted on the popular travel website.

The city's beach ranked seventh in the Traveler' Choice Awards in the Best of the Best Beaches category after garnering 6,743 reviews averaging four and a half stars.

Santa Monica State Beach (Courtesy Tripadvisor)

"Santa Monica State Beach has it all: Soft, sandy shores for sunbathing, waves for surfing, and even an amusement park," Tripadvisor wrote.

The site advised visitors to "spend the afternoon relaxing by the water, then stroll along the boardwalk or grab a bike and hit the cycling path.

"For next-level views (and the best photos) check out Palisades Park, then round out the day on the pier where you can ride a ferris wheel and see the beach from high above," the site wrote.

The top rankings are awarded each year to destinations that "receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period," according to the site.

Of the 8 million listings posted on the site, fewer than 1 percent "achieve this milestone."

Of the 25 top-rated beaches Hawaii and Florida each claimed nine spots. California claimed two of the top beaches, with La Jolla Cove in San Diego ranking 5th.

The top rated beach in the U.S. was Ka'anapali Beach in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, followed by Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, Florida.