Santa Monica Public Library
Santa Monica Public Library
4.5
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a coastal town that maintains a balance as a tourist destination and as an area with a thriving local culture. On the beach, bikers, roller-bladers, runners and walkers move along the famed bike path enjoying the beautiful Los Angeles weather. The solar-powered Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica pier spins high above the water, while park revelers scream with delight riding the roller coaster. Inland from the beach, Third Street Promenade bustles with shoppers and street performers, where every block seems to have a musical or acrobatic act drawing crowds giving Santa Monica both the feeling of a laid-back beach town and a major commercial hub.
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4.5
130 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
25
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
2
EZGoingTraveler10001
New York City, NY153 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
Check the schedule you might catch a good speaker or a children's book hour. A perfect venue to take a little break from sight seeing for tourists and just catch up on the non-electronic world for locals. Return to the library, you will be glad you did. I go when ever I am in town it's a fabulous resource.
Written 24 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
allison
usa53 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
Santa Monica Public Library is such a treat. Feel happy to live in Santa Monica for the library alone!!! The facitlity itself is really nice, there is a cafe in the middle which is a lovely sun filled court yard that has a stream (!!) running through it. Great place to sit and read or use some wifi. They have an awesome selection of books as well.
Written 12 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mauratravels1111
San Clemente, CA48 contributions
June 2019
terrific location and peaceful place to relax and get a great book or dvd and enjoy a walk to the beach with your new found literary treasures
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Summerasalifestyle
Malibu, CA3,585 contributions
Nov 2015 • Solo
Disappointing on so many levels.
I grew up in SM and remember when it was built. I like an old library with some history. This one is neither old nor has any personality.
So this library has really nothing for visitors.
Good:
Large & clean. Airy & bright. Easy parking. Free wifi
BAD:
If not a Santa Monica resident, they charge an annual fee for use.
Plenty of homeless and those with mental illness using it to sleep, shower and hang out. Having said that, they have as much right to use any of the facilities from books to sinks and I do!
Kinda lacks a style and personality. Visiting—don’t bother unless you’re already next door at the very cool Santa Monica History Museum.
I grew up in SM and remember when it was built. I like an old library with some history. This one is neither old nor has any personality.
So this library has really nothing for visitors.
Good:
Large & clean. Airy & bright. Easy parking. Free wifi
BAD:
If not a Santa Monica resident, they charge an annual fee for use.
Plenty of homeless and those with mental illness using it to sleep, shower and hang out. Having said that, they have as much right to use any of the facilities from books to sinks and I do!
Kinda lacks a style and personality. Visiting—don’t bother unless you’re already next door at the very cool Santa Monica History Museum.
Written 24 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jetCalif_
calif.24 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
Each Branch Location is special and caters well to the needs of its neighborhood, but all SMPL Branches have the same high quality of service and resources. Thanks to the many volunteers too who continue to expand its outreach and caring. The SMPL is one of the City's most important resources and certainly also one of its most generous in its help for all of those who use its Branches.
Written 17 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cornelius T
Santa Monica, CA37 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
All right, it's not the NY Public Library, they don't have every book ever printed, but for a small city library it surpasses expectations. Its clean, modern layout and decor is well lit and comfortable, the staff is friendly and helpful and the selection on the shelves surprisingly good. You can easily spend a day browsing because you can get a rather nice lunch or snack in the cafe in the courtyard where you can munch and read surrounded by a stream-like fountain and shady trees. The library has quite a calendar of free lectures, readings and films as well--something you should work into your schedule if you'll be in town for a few days.
Written 1 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelvinPusfinger
Temecula, CA701 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
There is a good selection of books. And you could also pick up some bargains in the secondhand bookstore. Set against this is the fact that the entrance on Santa Monica Blvd. was nearly blocked by homeless people. And there were also homeless people sleeping at the tables in the interior courtyard. It may be politically incorrect but the city would be better served if they were alternate arrangements made for the homeless. As it currently stands, I would be reluctant to bring young children to this place, despite the impressive selection of books.
Written 18 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex T
San Francisco, California29 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
After a great lunch in Santa Monica I decided to wind down by going to the Santa Monica Library. It topped off the afternoon just right and after that relaxation a stroll on the near by beach was delightful! Ahh, what a great way to finish a nice lunch.
Written 12 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mimi Y
Santa Monica, CA37 contributions
Feb 2018
i have been a resident of santa monica since 1983. i love my hometown library!!! i highly recommend this place as a rest stop for tourists who have done the beach, the pier, the third street promenade, ..., and long for a quiet place to rest. there is a coffee shop on site with outdoor seatings.
Written 12 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blancalex2017
Santa Monica, CA8 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
This is a complete service public Library. Great access to technology for free. They have a huge selection of books and videos. They also have a great sale on books you can pick up for a dollar.
Written 20 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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