- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Santa Monica Stairs
Category: Local Flavor Local Flavor [Edit]
4th St & Adelaide DrSanta Monica, CA 90402
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
- Good for Kids:
- No
194 reviews for Santa Monica Stairs
194 reviews in English
-
Review from Jenn B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/12/2012 5 Check-ins Here
The move to the westside has been an adjustment for me, but the SM Stairs have made it significantly easier. Thanks to Stephanie for introducing me to my now favorite way to start my weekend.
I always go on Saturdays at 8:30. This is not obscenely early and I always find parking on Adelade, no problem. I've gone weekdays around the post-work time too, and also found parking. I can see how it COULD be difficult to park, but I've been here upward of 25 times and never had an issue, so maybe the parking gods just like me more than others? A good spot if there is no parking near the top of the stairs is across 7th on Adelade on that cul de sac.
Anyway, the wooden stairs (the only ones I do) are a phenomenal workout. I have a system of 3 reps then 2 reps until I hit 15, mixing in grapevines, lunging steps, and I jog the last one. It is a solid 45 minutes of working your body for all its got.
As somewhat of a regular of these stairs, let me impart some advice:
- The middle lane is a PASSING LANE. If you want to socialize and walk next to each other, this is not the place. Women seem to do this more than men. Catch up with each other when you take a break, NOT while you're on the stairs.
- This seems so obvious it's not worth mentioning, but people do it more than you would think. Do not bring your dog here! Not only is it a hazard for people to trip over it (in which case you could easily be sued) but stairs are terrible for a dog's joints. It is cruel to your animal.
- On that note, if you bring your kids, watch them. This isn't a playground and I've almost tripped over them, too. Hello lawsuit.
- If it rained and the stairs are wet, BE CAREFUL. I saw a guy take a nasty spill once so just go extra slow.
- Wear deoderant and a clean shirt. There is a guy who wears USC garb who blew out my nasal passage because he was sweating in a dirty shirt. The smell was putrid.
- Bring water. You will need it.
- Go earlier to avoid crowds and the heat.
And even though I'm bitching about people's behavior, by and large everyone is friendly and courteous. If you go often you will recognize everyone and come to smile or say hello. Many are friendlier than that, I'm just always in the "zone".
**Also what this Matthew I said about "black men will eye fuck you if you're a woman" is not only racist, it's ridiculous. Yeah, black men do the stairs. So do white men. From a woman's perspective, dudes eye fucking you has zero to do with race and everything to do with them being a man. You're probably the worst of all. -
Review from M C.
Beverly Hills, CA
2/5/2012
Parking is a pain.
Gets crowded.
The stairs are a good workout though.
It's narrow so you have to squeeze in between people at times, especially if they're slow and you have to pass them while oncoming people from the other side is running the opposite direction.
In terms of difficulty of workouts I've done so far involving running up inclined places so far from hardest to easiest:
Manhattan Beach Sand Dunes
Culver City Stairs
Santa Monica Stairs -
Review from Eric R.
1/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you live near here I understand why you go. If you live near Culver City I don't understand why you go. The Baldwin Hills Overlook offers a lot harder stairs in a lot less the time. Less people less headache.
If you want something that is easy on your joints and takes about 15 times to get tired then do the Santa Monica Stairs. My insignificant other and I did these a few times and then got bored. At least it has a decent view.
Too many people at times when normal people are out of work.
If you like to be around those too cool for everyone types there are more then enough here. I like to stick to the less traveled areas. -
Review from Kris B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/30/2012
Did the stairs for the first time tonight but could only manage 2 1/2 time's up the concrete ones. I won't beat myself... hey, I did it right?!
-
Review from Kristin C.
West Los Angeles, CA
1/9/2012
Burn baby, burn.
Cute neighborhood with large sidewalks, so consider running to the stairs, but only if you think you can make it home afterwards.
There are two sets of stairs.
One at the end of 4th and Adelaide. These stairs don't go straight down, you turn a few times, and they're narrower.
The other is further east. If you're looking at the first set of stairs, walk up the hill to your right a few blocks and you will see the second set. These are wider, wooden, and straight up. You can tell which I prefer ;)
Sometimes I do both so I don't get bored.
There is also a pull up bar at the bottom of the second set of stairs, to get the upper body in. Or just tricep dip off the curb.
Stay sexy Santa Monica! -
Review from Lindsey P.
Los Angeles, CA
12/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I do the stairs at/or before the crack of dawn (depending on the season) with my mom before we go to work. She wears this 40lb weigh vest and I follow behind her. At 6am, there arent a lot of people but around 7 it starts to get a little more crowded.
I definitely love doing the stairs especially at the same time every other day because the same people go and then friends are made.
Stairs = Friends
But don't be fooled. You'll be huffing and puffing at the halfway mark.
Don't believe me?
GO.AND.MAKE.STAIR.FRIENDS. -
Review from DeAnn S.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1/23/2012
Wow, if you really want a good work out. You gotta try the stairs it's a great experience. My friend he introduced me to this place, now I recommend this place to others.
-
Review from Linda M.
Los Angeles, CA
11/25/2011
It's no joke! The stairs is the best work out because it's super effective and high intensity.
The concrete set on the west side: steeper, narrower, and zig-zaggy.
The wooden set on the east: not as steep, wider, and straight up-and-down. It's 170 steps and a 99ft climb.
The Pros:
A workout that will kick your ass
Gorgeous views
Fresh air
Beautiful people
Absolutely free!
The Cons:
Crowds
Fitness freaks (the grunters, the guy with the freakish BO, the girl who spends the whole time on her cell phone, omg that crazy guy who does the stairs on... his hands?, etc etc).
Bottom line: total love! -
Review from Steve L.
Los Angeles, CA
10/22/2011
After running by many times, finally came with my wife to try out the famous stairs...
Definitely on the crowded side, but I guess that helps to kind of motivate you. Seeing others suffering helps make you realize you're not the only one who's trying to get back in shape... Of course there are those that whiz by that help make push yourself harder if you're the competitive type too.
Being close to the ocean helps it to be a nice cool work out.
As a tip... park further away on San Vicente. Can't understand all the people trying to get really close parking spots so they don't have to walk very far to their work out. A little bit of a walk works out to be a nice warm up, and cool down afterwards...
Have fun! -
Review from Pickyeater W.
Los Angeles, CA
12/27/2011
Stairs were a killer workout but definitely be careful since the steps are narrow even for small feet. Suggest a nice jog from the stairs towards Palisades Park!
-
Review from Nina M.
Santa Monica, CA
10/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh SM stairs... my friend and my foe.
You know when your on splash mountain and it's all happy music and then it gets all creepy and sad when you get close to the big drop? I get that same feeling in the pit of my stomach when I approach the stairs. If only all the critters were singing to me when this is all going on..
No really this is a great work out. It's quick and effective! Great way to stay in shape and mix up a workout routine. I have friends who say it cures their back pains! I never had such sore calves in my life than the day after my first stairs experience (and I only did them twice!). I could barely walk for like 5 days! Sad I know.. So maybe be aware and don't do them for the first time (or the first time after a while) before a big event or anything. It can get pretty busy from 5pm-8pm when people get off work or weekend mornings. It can get a bit jammed up and slow you down during those times.
At the end of 4th st. there are metal stairs and up the hill a bit there are some wooden stairs that are much wider and a little less intense. Good luck new stair-goers! -
Review from Halleh M.
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I always get a good workout on these stairs, but you get that work out for a price. The price you have to pay is being surrounded by all sorts of fitness freaks:
*The grunters and groaners
*The girls who wear barely anything
*The people who do all sorts of additional weird exercises at the top and bottom of the stairs to "supplement" their stair workout!
*The people who bring their dogs
*The people who talk on their cellphones
I can go on and on and on, but I think you get it. All this being said, it makes for some great people watching while you're catching your breath and gearing up for your next round.
I personally prefer the wooden stairs to the concrete spiral ones, but to each their own. You will also want to be careful when parking and make sure to pay close attention to the parking signs. Most of the areas right arond the stairs are permit only. The best thing to do is park on San Vicente and warm up by walking from San Vicente to your desired flight of stairs. Have fun! -
Review from harold b.
Los Angeles, CA
12/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Bring some water! Great cardio workout! I prefer the wooden stairs over the cement ones. It's easy to pass up as there's no sign leading up to the stairs. I did 7 sets on my 1st time! Itching to do more next time! Not into the 20 drive to the stairs at all!!
-
Review from J W.
8/18/2011
Great place to get some outdoor exercise and people watch. However, you never get the whole pie. The problems I have are as follows:
1 ) If you spend 30 minutes running the stairs, you may get frustrated by people exercising their dogs. That's right, I said it. Dogs. I love dogs and it's extremely considerate of their caretakers to exercise them. But the S.M. stairs is not the the place.
2) Parents carrying their infants in a stroller while going up and down the stairs. (Sounds dangerous and hard to believe)
3) There are too many people on the weekends and in the late afternoon/evening.
4) People walking and chatting side by side and ignoring any request to pass.
5) Men and women trying to pick up anyone while they rest.
6) People walking side by side chatting while pushing a stroller w/baby and exercising a dog while talking on their cell phone. (No B.S.) -
Review from Justin N.
6/15/2011
2,550 stairs up and 2,550 stairs down. That's 15 sets of the wooden stairs my friends, a workout that makes me walk funny for days. I probably look like I've been riding a horse all week or maybe went on a marathon freaky sex rampage, yes I walk that awkwardly after hitting the Santa Monica Stairs. Oh the crazy things we do to stay in shape.
In a world full of escalators, elevators, and even those flat conveyor style escalators just to skip a walk down the sidewalk, something feels good about going old school for a workout now and again. Up and down and up and down and up and down. It's meditative, you can feel the sun, the fresh air. Kick your own music and just zone out, no loud treadmills nearby, no florescent lights in a gym, no TVs all over the place. It's just you, the stairs, and your soon to be exhausted legs. Well, you and anywhere from five to fifty other people there for the same thing, but just do your thing and don't worry about it.
It may sound simple, but I can vouch that you'll feel the burn, I don't care how fit you are. To mix it up you'll see folks doing pushups or situps at the top of the stairs, pullups and more at the bottom of the stairs, carrying weights to work the arms, the whole place is one big workout community. Walk the stairs, run the stairs, some people even run up on hands and feet in some sort of animalistic whole body workout.
Mixing up your workouts, the best way to stay in shape. Come any time, that's the beauty of public places like this, they're open 24/7, no membership needed. Screw the gym! -
Review from Kali K.
6/26/2011
Your first problem is that your a** doesn't hurt as much as it could if you were a "Stairs" regular. But consider how many MORE problems you would have if you were a 'reg'. It would mean...
1. ...trudging up & down past mega-sweaty people, who--for some zany reason--think that you actually want to feel their driplets on your face & arms. *Shudder*
2. ...you enjoy working out w/ at least 1000 others. Picture you: all tryna' grunt your way up the steps only to have Mr. PsychoStairs all up on your gluteus max; he's riding you, & you don't even know his name. As in: "Wait--he's on top, & it's not even Sunday-morning-after-last-call yet!" O_O
3. ...you just *love* comparing yourself to pro athletes & ALL of Hollywood b/c they're ALL here (& so are their repugnant lackeys & wannabes--refer to #5). While that may seem tres cool at first, after reality sets in, you become cognizant of how (yawn) *average* you are. Bring your big ego; you'll need it.
4. ...that other average, random people *will* force you into their sick-sad worlds by comparing themselves to you. You'll know this b/c they'll STARE at you & do that obnoxious thing of hoofing past you like they've got the might of Lance Armstrong only to come to a full stop & pant like it's Sunday morning (refer to #2) at the next landing. The *best* part: once you've hiked your hams to the landing where said-narcissist is, he/she takes off again, just to one-up you.
5. ...you have the most excellent privilege (O_O) of knowing other 'Stairs people'. Bring your headshots & your cellphone, & be ready to talk to a "producer" & cue up conversation, like: "So we have a green light from Sony?" Brush up on your studio & exec names before parking your moto b/c Team Name-Drop holds pep rallies here. Oh, you'll also be pop-quizzed on global celeb hangouts, too. As in: "Yah, I just got back from, like, the Seychelles... Yah, red eye... Ugh, my glutes are, like, sooo gelatinated from R&R. I, like,*had* to hit SaMo." (Mind you, it's 9:30am, & anyone w/ a morsel of sense is doing more than merely doubting this tabloid-verse. Actually, we're thinking it's likely that the line is dead on the other end as we giggle & pass the 'fib-u-tante'.)
Every stair is a stage.
For add'l dramedy: Zoom in on (or *into*) the 'intrauterine chicks', spread-eagle at either end of the stairs, or the He-Man lads w/ their pull-ups & equipment. There are also the 'boot camp' psychos; a LOT could be said for these "classes" that take place (illegally, btw) on the adjacent median. O_O
While I confess that I've been stepping on-&-off for 18 yrs now; & that I used to be nuts w/ my acorn counters, & my water gallon, & my stretches; I've proudly left behind compulsion for alternative expression. Let's call said-expression "Yelp". ;-)Listed in: SoCal Beach Cities &…
-
Review from Sonya R.
Los Angeles, CA
7/28/2011
Me and my big mouth.
I hike all over the hills of Los Angeles. Santa Monica Hills, San Gabriel Hills, the trails along the coast in beautiful Orange County (Crystal Cove / Laguna Beach) just to stay in shape and get a good work out.
So my niece tells me about the stairs at Santa Monica (as she is now at UCLA ) and how good a shape she has gotten into by coming here every other day.
A challenge in a hidden location. One I had to take on.
Boy did the stairs kick my ass, but I enjoyed it so.
For one, it's a great neighborhood. Beautiful view of the cliff/hillside overlooking Pacific Palisades. Of the two sets of stairs, the cement set and wood set, I took the wood, because I know it is softer on all parts of the body. Another thing, it is in that little canyon, so you get a combination of fresh sea air and all the well tended to plants in the community. A great place to fill your lungs up with while you work it out. Lastly, I've seen more focus and good will here towards those who share your pain (the stairs) than I have in most team sports. It was full without being "crowded". Good karma all around from people at the top, bottom and working the stairs, in all shapes and condition.
It's quiet, it's subtle, it's pretty. And a girl could get used to this type of environment!
But my niece was right. For all the trails and many miles I have walked, I wasn't ready for this. By my 4th turn up and down the stairs, I was sucking air hard. The stairs are NOT for the casual workout, but for the serious who want to get the blood pumping and get good cardio.
By my 5th time up, I was dying. But once you reach the top, it's a great feeling of accomplishment with a rewarding view of the sunset at the ocean. It felt really good to be alive at this point and time and and this place.
It's a drive for me to come here, but each time I will visit my niece, I will make it a point to come out here with her. And make sure she doesn't kick my butt on the stairs again.
It's worth it. -
Review from Stanley G.
North Hollywood, CA
8/14/2011
Was asked by a friend to do the Santa Monica Stairs with them, and I decided to join them. I've heard a lot of about these stairs from everyone. From close friends, to celebrities, to homeless people. So the build up for these stairs was IMMENSE!!!
I put the address into my Google Maps app and drive to my destination, only...there's no sign that says that you have arrived at your destination. I drove past these "stairs" twice before realizing that the crowd of people waiting in line was not for a popular restaurant, but for The Santa Monica Stairs. There is absolutely no sign for it. Not a big deal so whatever. I start my workout with my friend, and realize that these stairs get super crowded! So if you are in better shape than the 20 people in front of you on the stairs, you will just have to go slower and wait until they are done their workout.
There's two sets of stairs, nice narrows stairs, and wide wooden stairs. I like to go up the wooden stairs because theres more room to pass people, and down the narrow ones. The wooden ones has railings that feel like they are gonna fall off so be careful. All in all, I am an athlete so I figured out how to get a good workout in regardless of it being crowded like an amusement park, there being no sign for where you are, and the wooden stairs needing major renovation.
I like the idea of the stairs, because stairs are a great workout, wherever you are...but to me, everyone was talking to me about it like it was a national landmark, then when I got there, it looked like some stairs that you can find anywhere. Its kind of like when teenage girls get all excited for Prom and have all these high expectations, and then they get there, and their date dances with some other girl, or they spill the punch on their dress and nothing ever goes right.
Yeah, that just happened to me. -
Review from Sharzad K.
Los Angeles, CA
7/3/2011
Love the stairs in Santa Monica. It's a great FREE, outdoor workout. There are two sets of stairs and you can go up and down them as fast or as slow as you want, either way it's kinda intense and it's a great way to work out. It takes about 30 minutes to do the stairs four times alternating between the two sets.
The location of the stairs is pretty awesome. You can get an impressive view of the ocean, the mountains and the huge houses. Amazeballs. There are palm trees, cactus and so much greenery everywhere. It really is quite beautiful. Go there ASAP.
Warning: this is trendy place to exercise, and it can get crowded. I've heard rumors that the Fire departments from all over LA work out at these stairs, so if you're single and ready to mingle this could be a good place for you to meet a hottie. -
Review from Lei B.
5/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
These stairs are no joke!! My sis and I came to check it out on Easter Sunday and there was a good amount of people getting their workout on. First we went down the concrete steps and turned left instead of right to the wooden steps. Whoops guess I should have read the reviews a little more carefully. The wooden steps look a little more intimidating because it's just a straight shot up. I was going at a pretty decent speed and still had to take a little break. Don't forget to leave a good amount of space between you and the person in front of you. If you're going to tailgate me I might have to release some gas on you!
Great place to work on those quads and also check out lots of eye candy =)Listed in: Pumpin' Up
-
Review from Lin Lin S.
Los Angeles, CA
5/7/2011
There are 2 sets of stairs: one straight-a-way wood set (located at Entrada and Amalfi - you wont see it on a map, but you'll see it on your run), which is more cushy, and another concrete zig-zag set (located at the intersection of Entrade and Ocean).
The distance from Lululemon to the stairs is about 1.8miles (take Santa Monica and 4th down to Ocean. Ocean all the way till it curves to the right going downhill - uphill is Adelaide. Follow Ocean until it intersects with Entrada. Ocean becomes Entrada. Find the wood stairs at Entrada and Amalfi. Head up the stairs to Adelaide, take a right on Adelaide, it leads you back to Ocean). It's a nice easy distance from Lululemon to the stairs and then back.
i was disappointed when i saw these stairs. my thoughts: oh. this is it?
what is the draw? i guess it's the only place to climb stairs outside. "The Stairs" are narrow. I may as well climb the stairwell in my office building, and I'd have more stairs to climb as well.
eh, it adds variety to a workout. but i guess the nice thing is, you can start at the bottom (at Entrada and Ocean), climb your way up (4th and Adelaide) and then jog gradually downhill, then climb up again to avoid knee strain by going down the stairs.
this place gets packed. people hang out by the guardrail on Adelaide. you feel the pressure to hurry up and down because people are behind you. and as mentioned, this is narrow...so only 2 people at a time.
and, i would hardly call it a challenge. i climb 7 flights every day at work.
ps: it's best on your knees to climb up (i cannot stand those people who come barrelling downhill - dont your knees hurt??!). these stairs are not a challenge. trust me, you've climbed the same amount of stairs sometime in your life. just dont look up when climbing. this is a mind trick and you will mentally tire yourself out. easy does it and before you know it, you'll be at the top thinking...that's it? -
Review from Nicole A.
Los Angeles, CA
6/5/2011
It's kind of funny that I'm reviewing about a physical entity that isn't really a "business" but the ironic thing is that I found out about it through Yelp! Well, kind of. I first found out about the stairs while I was at a nail salon getting my feet pampered and reading the ubiquitous Us Weekly in every salon. Looking over pictures of Fergie and Josh Duhamel at the SM stairs.
"Wha!? Stairs?!"
So of course I take out my trusty iPhone and search the stairs. Yelp reviewers tell me all about it and of course I have to try it out.
I found the concrete stairs and wooden ones. Figured out very quickly that going down the concrete steps is not the best idea if your knees are not in the best shape. So I made 4 laps. Down the wooden stairs and up the concrete ones. I went in the afternoon so it was a little more crowded, but everyone was nice. They passed you nicely if you were going too slow for them without any rude remarks. You may occasionally get the faint whiff of someone's B.O. as they're passing...but I guess who hasn't had that happen to them when at the gym?
Fast forward to the next day. Intense soreness all through my calves and thighs and I can barely sit down on the toilet without groaning. (great visual, I know). That really surprised me because I never even broke into a run on the stairs! Just climbed them at my own pace, heaving, feeling faint towards the top...the usual.
Amazing workout though! I'm feeling great and excited that it's warmer so I can do them more often.
Helpful tip that I'm glad I caught from another reviewer: Go before 6pm otherwise you may get ticketed if you park in that neighborhood. Oh and remember to stretch and wear deodorant! -
Review from Christina Y.
Santa Monica, CA
3/30/2011 7 Check-ins Here
The stairs are the best way for me to gauge how out of shape I am. It's really interesting to see the difference of how many rounds I can go when I've been working out compared to when I've been lying on the couch for a couple of weeks (as was the case before my most recent trip). On top of that, it's a great inspiration to stare at the taut booty of the person climbing in front of me to motivate myself to go one more time.
If you go on weekdays it's pretty easy to find parking on the block but if you go on a weekend, good luck! -
Review from jennifer L.
Los Angeles, CA
5/6/2011
Friend or Foe? I challenged the SM Stairs in a duel on Tuesday.
SM Stairs--equipped with 175 steps of steep, straight-away, wooden stairs. Me--equipped with my number 11 (legs). There were plenty of huffing and puffing, paired with sweating and thigh burnings (and @#$%#$@, under my breath).
I thought I won that day, but I don't know anymore. It has been a couple days since my last SM Stairs workout and I STILL feel the INTENSE SORENESS in my thighs!! (I must be totally out of shape.)
TIPS: For those, wanting a more challenging workout, take two steps at a time on your 'up' or try running it. There is a large grassy island on 4th Street where you can stretch, warm up and cool down--or lay in pain... (jk, sorta. hehe)
LOCATION: You can access the top of SM Stairs at Adelaide Drive and 4th Street (in this residential area). Or access the bottom of the SM Stairs on Ocean Ave.
I normally park my car along San Vicente (few miles away) and run westbound on San Vicente to 4th street then do the stairs and run back to the car. This forces me to run more. I mean, I guess I gotta run back to my car if I want to go home, right?
PARKING: Available on the street during daylight hours. Restrictions kick in after 6pm, others 7pm. Be aware of the midday street sweeping restrictions on alternating sides of the street on Thru and Fri (parking even more limited during those times). Parking is often available on 4th St. of San Vicente... just a short walk to the stairs.
I'll just have to continue to implement the Santa Monica Stairs in my workouts to see some rewarding results. Nothing beats a FREE, outdoor workout in sunny California.
So... Friend or Foe? You go do a few sets and lemme know. :) -
Review from Burrito M.
San Francisco, CA
7/20/2011
Got my ass whooped on the stairs today.
Went down, then up the wood set while wearing the BB (the concrete side was jam packed because they were filming some show on that side, so I avoided it). The whole way up I wanted to stop and rest, but I was too embarrassed, so I forced myself to keep going. As a result, by the time I got back to the top, I was wheezing! I didn't know I was in such crappy shape! As punishment, I took a second turn, and it was pretty much the same...
So why 4 stars? Cuz I'm a glutton for punishment and I secretly loved getting an ass whooping from the SM stairs :-) Can't wait to go back! In the meantime, I need to get in shape!
Minus 1 star cuz I wish it was longer and less crowded. -
Review from Diane N.
Los Angeles, CA
3/31/2011
Of course, there are people who love to come do the stairs at their leisure with their friends and dogs. And there are also many fit people in better shape than you. I prefer to come here alone, because I personally hate working out with other people.
But, crowded as they are, the stairs are a mind challenge to my personal physical strength and it's easy to zone out the masses and get a great outdoor workout and fresh air.Listed in: E(ART)H
-
Review from Erica J.
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
There are two separate staircases. The address for this listing puts you at the top of both sets of stairs, primed for the warm-up walk down before the steep climb back up. You can keep going up and down the same set of stairs, or you can alternate between the two sets, as most of the people seem to do.
My friend and I went around dusk, shortly before sunset, and it was nice and cool there. The available parking in the area was an added bonus to the view and the ocean breeze. The crowds of people you'll be following up or down the stairs at any given time were both a positive and a negative. They provided motivation and obstacles. On a narrow flight of steep stairs, it can be unnerving to be behind a slow-stepper, especially when you're starting to feel the mounting burn in your muscles.
If I lived closer, I'd use this as my neighborhood gym though. What more do you need? There's a nice paved road to run on, the beach nearby, and stairs that go up and up and down and down, in addition to training buddies if you stop to catch your breath and talk. -
Review from Mitra K.
Los Angeles, CA
10/18/2011
The stairs are awesome and fun - and even more fun while gossiping with a friend. Most people are pretty friendly and tolerant of us "slow-bies" I prefer the wooden set as they are wider and less of a shock on the knee but I usually end up doing both when I go. Nothing like exercising in the fresh (cough cough) LA air.
-
Review from Julia b.
4/20/2011
Hello, new obession! This is a great way to get outdoors and burn some calories. Much more effective and high intensity than a hike (my normal outdoor exersise). Yes, its crowded, but so is Runyon- if it really bothers you just go at off-peak times. We did 3 "sets" and I was sore for 2 days +. Cant wait to go back and do 4! My goal by the end of summer is 8.
Parking is not great- but try parking a few blocks away and *gasp* walking! -
Review from Katherine A.
Long Beach, CA
3/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
My top 5 reasons to hit the famed Santa Monica Stairs:
1. Great work out = Concrete Stairs + Wood Stairs (wider & "easier")
2. Atmosphere = fresh air + gorgeous views at the top
3. Group session = fun (as fun as stairs can be) + awesome motivators
4. Flying solo = music + de-stress & a clear head
5. Earlier the better = less crowds + street parking (easier to find) -
Review from Kristina S.
Los Angeles, CA
5/17/2011
The stairs are my favorite outdoor workout in LA! I usually do the concrete narrow stairs, mostly because the wooden ones are overcrowded and not as difficult. If you're looking for a run, I would do the wooden steps because they are wider and shorter. I feel like I'm getting a really good workout if I briskly walk up the concrete ones for about 30-35 minutes.
I have a few tips if you are a first-timer: 1) make sure to go before 6pm because you can't park in that neighborhood w/o a permit after that. 2) stretch, stretch, stretch! you'll have so much fun that you may out-do yourself, and you'll end up like me, 3 days later, with so much pain in my calves that I have to take the elevator. seriously, take the time afterwards to strech those babies.
have fun! -
Review from Amy L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/2/2011
I lived in Santa Monica for a couple years before finally checking out THE Stairs. I was so naive I mistakenly called them The Steps. (Trust me, don't do that...your friends won't let you live it down for years.)
The Stairs are a SaMo workout hotspot. I stick to the wooden stairs, more forgiving.
One summer weekend, I was overjoyed to catch a free coconut water promotion at the bottom. Nature's Gatorade! Please come back more often. -
Review from Mylinh M.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2011 12 Check-ins Here
It's pretty difficult to be a lazy POS when there is perfect weather, a gorgeous view, plenty of eye candy, and an intense workout to make you feel great about yourself. The cherry on top is that it's absolutely free.
The Santa Monica stairs is essentially 2 sets of stairs roughly 1/16 of a mile apart. There is a concrete set which is narrow and small (my friend with a 13 size shoe could not get his entire foot on one step) but is in the shade and has a nice steepness. The second set is wooden and wider with exactly 170 steps.
My friend and i went down the concrete, walked to the wood, went up the wood, ran to the concrete stairs and repeat. It was a great workout and we were absolutely tired after an hour. Yes it's a bit crowded but everyone was very good about staying on the far right in order to let others pass and it just felt so good to be out there with people who were also dedicated to working out. Doesn't hurt that there was great eye candy for everyone!
Love it, will definitely be back!Listed in: L.A. Rocks, Get up, get out.
-
Review from Ronjini M.
Los Angeles, CA
3/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this place. GREAT outdoor workout and plenty of other things to do and see while you're there. I generally run, stairs, run; but you see tons of people working out in all sorts of ways.
If you get there in the afternoon its gets REALLY crowded. There's nothing better than getting here early on a weekend morning and running while the sun rises and warms Santa Monica. Fresh, clean, air and a total body workout if you do it right.
I wish I could come here more often, but we're making it at least once a week for now.Listed in: The perfect day in LA
-
Review from Michelle K.
Orlando, FL
11/13/2010
The stairs are a really great workout for my extraocular muscles. I find myself rolling my eyes at all the pretentious posers who frequent the steps. Just one set up the stairs keeps my eye muscles sexy and toned for a month.
There are plenty of other stairs that provide a legit workout (between Ocean Ave and the beach, Drake stadium at UCLA, places in Malibu along PCH, umm the hill up to Universal Studios). Only tools come here to be seen... the same tools who take the elevator up 2 floors every day at work. You are so dumb. You are really dumb, for real. Yes, I am a hater, but a flight of stairs that leads to nothing couldn't be more overhyped. The only stairs that deserve any prestige of this magnitude are the Rocky stairs at the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Nutty Professor stairs (Janss steps) at UCLA. -
Review from Ed K.
1/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
You want a good, intense step workout the old fashioned way? With real stairs?
You live on the west side?
You want the wind in your hair and a gorgeous view of the ocean while you're at it?
Want lots of friendly, like minded step addict workout company around you?
If the answer is 'yes' to all, or even most of those questions, then the SM stairs is what you want!
Parking is wherever you can find it on the streets, and beware going during peak hours (this being weekend mornings) as it will get very packed, and while ppl are very courteous and polite, if you want to do a quick dashing up & down the steps, you'll have lots of slower moving foot traffic (like myself) to deal with.
Another note: a lot of ppl see the first set of tall concrete steps and think they're the only ones, but theres a lesser known set of wooden steps a block away that is less intense and a good balance to the more difficult concrete steps that are just begging for me to do a faceplant one of these days. -
Review from Glenn M.
Los Angeles, CA
2/13/2011
I like this place. Soo many eye candy awaits.
Friendly group. Very motivating.
My first time was a major wake up call for my body. I like that all though I'd like to stop in the middle, I really can't. And that's money! :) -
Review from Anya R.
12/25/2010
Wanted to find a place to workout on Christmas morning and of course all the gyms were closed. Santa Monica Stairs had a lot of great reviews and with the challenges of people doing 8 to 10 sets and seeing a great view I thought hey why not.
I went at around 9:30am. Its a few miles off the 405 in a really nice Santa Monica residential area. There was a good amount of parking spaces on the street. The only set of stairs I saw was right at the intersection of 4th and Adelaide but after I finished my workout I saw another set further down Adelaide with more people! Dang! Maybe next time.
It wasn't overly crowded when I went but since there had been rains in LA the stairs were pretty muddy so I was really trying to be careful not to slip and eat it.
So when you park at the intersection you go down the steps first which is cool so it eases you into going up the steps.
Its approximately 189 steps one day! Today I did 6 sets! Since it was my first time I thought I did decent even though my goal was 8. Ii felt that I could have done more but I was on a time crunch.
I had a good time, its a great view especially on a clear day, and its FREE! Its a nice alternative than just jogging. Build them muscles up!Listed in: Run/Hike and Exercise in…
-
Review from Fat L.
Beverly Hills, CA
11/18/2010 9 Check-ins Here
This is a great spot if you're up for a nice burn in the bum. I come here when I feel like mixing up the usual indoor gym work out with something less monotonous. Weekends can get crowded and sometimes you may have a few slow climbers clogging it up, but that's when I ditch the stairs for a bit and run to the pier. I did this workout to prepare for a marathon and it definitely helped me build my endurance and strengthen my leg muscles for the SF hills.
There's a lot of places to run around this area so it doesn't get old and its inspiring to workout with a bunch of other athletic Santa Monica people to keep you motivated. -
Review from Matthew I.
Santa Monica, CA
The stairs are the place to go if you don't feel like dealing with the germs in the gym and if you want a quick intense workout. I shoot for 10 times, down and then up is one, which usually takes about 34 minutes. If its your first time start with four or less if you wish to walk the next day.
DON'T BRING YOUR DOG. It gets in the way, and guess what, no one thinks of your dog as a child, only you do, leave the flea bag at home, thanks.
Plus if you are a pervert, like me, there is a lot of hot ass walking around.
AND if you go at night, don't wear a head lamp or bring a flashlight, it blinds other people and you look like a retard!
