- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Sea Mist Rentals
Categories: Shopping Sporting Goods Bikes Active Life Bike Rentals Bikes, Bike Rentals [Edit]
1619 Ocean Front WalkSanta Monica, CA 90401
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
(310) 395-7076
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
61 reviews for Sea Mist Rentals
Review Highlights
"best rates around the pier."
(in 16 reviews)
"It was cool to ride along the beach."
(in 4 reviews)
"It's smooth and super easy."
(in 4 reviews)
Loading...
61 reviews in English
-
Review from Sarah L.
1/25/2012
Sea Mist Rentals is super convenient and cheap when it comes to bike rentals.
I love coming to Santa Monica and renting bikes to ride along the bike path on a gorgeous socal afternoon! They are located right next to the Santa Monica Pier and have an assortment of bikes from beach cruisers to three wheelers. I believe it costs about $17 per day or $7 per hour (they hang on to your driver's licence for collateral). You can ride up and down The Strand which goes from Pacific Palisades all the way to the Torrance beaches.
I usually will walk my bike when I reach Venice because I like to people watch and check out all the vendors and entertainment. You want to be watchful when you pass Venice and approach Marina Del Rey because you have to go around the marina and can get a little confusing if you are not paying attention.
Sea Mist Rentals also provides metal baskets to attach to the front of your bike! Awesome! The service is great as well, very friendly and will help you adjust your bike. -
Review from Katie S.
Bakersfield, CA
2/8/2012
I've rented bikes from here twice now - both to show visitors around Santa Monica and Venice Beach quickly. I would definitely recommend this as a great tourist activity as well as just something fun to do. Both visitors really enjoyed it! Also, Sea Mist is a great place for renting. Not only are they conveniently located at the bottom of the pier (right next to a very popular bar), but also they're really friendly! And they have baskets to put on the front of the bikes, which is really nice!
WARNING: One thing to note is that they only take cash, so make sure you have some by the time you get return to pay. Also, one person in your group needs to have an ID handy, which they will keep until you return the bikes.
Rental costs $7 for the first hour, $6 for each additional hour (prorated by how much time you actually use), or $17 for the whole day. This is significantly cheaper than the rental places on the pier, but that's to be expected as it's a general rule for food, souvenirs, etc. -
Review from Julie Y.
La Canada Flintridge, CA
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
I honestly don't know much about bike rental areas... but I do know that the old man who was manning this place was very very nice + informative :)
Sea Mist Rentals is a small shop located right in front of the Santa Monica Pier which is convenient since there are plenty of parking lots around the area, and it's right in front of the bike route so you won't have any trouble finding the appropriate pathway to bike down :3
The bikes are of relatively good condition and you can have the option of adding a bike basket to hold your bag if you're like me. TEHE!
You get charged $7.00 for the initial hour and then $6.00 for every following hour. What's cool is that if you bike for less than an additional hour, you get charged at a cheaper price. WINNING! :) You can even have the option of getting a bike lock so long as you deposit $20.00 and retrieve it in exchange for an intact bike lock at the end of the day.
Coming back more often if I ever want to go biking around Santa Monica and Venice Beach. -
Review from Eileen E.
Los Angeles, CA
12/24/2011 1 photo
I loved my experience with seamist rentals! Two girlfriends and I ventured out on our multicolored beach cruisers (love the retro look of these bikes) on the most perfectly sunny day. The rental process was seamless and it only cost $17 for a day rental.
We got there in the morning and biked to Poke Poke at Venice Beach for lunch (yelp that as well! it's delicious hawaiian ceviche and 2 people stopped us to ask us where we had gotten it!)
Riding along the Santa Monica bike path is such a breeze. Don't forget to wear sunscreen (I got a little burned)!
This was such a fun activity and would be a fantastic date idea!! :)Listed in: Best Date Spots
-
Review from Sarang Y.
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Initially, I liked this place because it was conveniently located on the pier, decent customer service, and the prices are fair. BUT when my friend's bike literally fell apart few miles in the truth came out. We called the owner and told him our situation. Instead of being helpful he accused us of damaging the bike first then finally after much contesting he relented and sent someone to give us a replacement bike (which took over an hour). I'm guessing he had previous instances when people were rough with his bikes but doesn't give him the right to make accusations. It'd be great if he could make sure his bikes are in good condition before renting it out to his customers. Yea? Thanks ok.
-
Review from British S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/7/2012
Since Santa wasn't bringing me new rollerblades this year, and since I could never part with my beloved skates I bought 12 years ago in Japan, I spent the week before Christmas calling just about every bike and skate shop in town to see if they could fix the wheel that fell off. Originally I was supposed to go see Hay at Spokes n' Stuff on the Santa Monica boardwalk on Christmas eve, but when I arrived there with blades in hand, they were incredibly rude and said it would take four hours to fix my wheel (I called twice and confirmed that I should be there at noon that day). Hay was nowhere to be found, and since I didn't want to stand around for hours waiting, I walked up toward the pier to Sea Mist Rentals.
Yes yes, they are a bike rental place, but they also have rollerblades... AND incredible kindness and customer service. They not only fixed my wheel but put new wheels on my trusty rollerblades. Now, every time I skate by, they wave and say hello. I will be sure to recommend them to anyone who wants to rent a bike at the beach. Their location is great too, right next to the pier and the original Hot Dog on a Stick stand, so when you're parched from a long ride up the bike path, you can drop off the bike and grab a fresh lemonade. -
Review from Akiko I.
11/26/2011
My husband and I decided to try tandem biking for the first time on one Sun afternoon. It was surprisingly cheap! $30 for the whole day or $12 an hour. Even if you decide to rent for just an hour and happen to go over, they will just charge you for another hour and let you keep the bike for that time period without any penalty fees. Cool huh?
We ended up renting for 2 hours since it was so much fun! Yes the other reviewers are correct in that a lot of their bikes are old and rusty...so make sure to check the bike you were assigned to before you take it out of the lot.
If you have even the slightest interest in biking on the beach, you gotta try it out. Soooo worth it!
* Price = CHEAP! $30/day...$12/hour
* Location = very convenient
* Service = Descent -
Review from Katie F.
11/15/2011
Although I visit LA regularly, we've never gotten around to biking the Santa Monica strand. We had some time on a weekday and the weather was gorgeous, so we stopped by this place since it was conveniently located at the pier.
All day rental for $17. (Or you can do $7 for the first hour and $6 for each hour thereafter.). If you want the tandem style bikes, it's double the price. They have a selection of cruisers, commuter bikes and mountain bikes. Condition of the bikes is so-so... There is rust and the brakes are meh, but given that you're biking for fun here, they are fine.
CHECK YOUR BIKE before you leave! The first two I picked out had alignment problems with the back wheel.
Average service and useful maps available. They close at 5pm. You can get a lock for a $20 refundable fee. We didn't ask about helmets but I did see them at the back. Cash only. -
Review from Felipe L.
Los Angeles, CA
12/13/2011
Bike rentals on a weekday are $7 per hour or $17 for the entire day. You don't pay until you return the bike. The average customer is likely interested in the tandem, mountain bike (more for riding far), or cruiser bikes (more comfy). Check your bike before you leave and make sure your seat gets properly adjusted for your height. Remember to grab a green map with you if you decide to bike the trail. Some points on the beach trail can get confusing beyond Venice Beach. Cash only. Remember to come back by 5PM!
-
Review from Anthony N.
Los Angeles, CA
7/31/2011
This poem is entitled "A DATE GONE AMISS"
Sea Mist Rental
Makes me sentimental
Cute dates abound
Riding bikes around
Beach in the backdrop
Keep peddling, don't stop
$15 bucks for a day of fun
Laughing in the summer sun.
\ /
.- " -. _\/_
-- / \ -- //o\\
_____ _ __ __ ____ ____ ___ | __ __ __
=-=--~^~_-__= =_=-=_,^~^ ^ -'| -" -=- -_-~^~
=- _=-=- -_=-=_,-" | --=- -_-==--
=- =- -=.--" -~^~ -~^~ -=- -_-
o_ [o_
-iL } -iL }
O-O O-O
P.s. This date later fizzled out when he ask how I felt about pooping on his face. I sure know how to pick em huh? God, people make me feel so normal.Listed in: This better be a DATE!
-
Review from Andrew S.
Welp, I say more like 2.5 stars. Why? Bikes that simply are in bad shape.
$17 for a full day. Rented a standard 21 speed bike for a cruise down to redondo beach from santa monica. Halfway there, in Dockweiler beach, I changed gears and literally, the chain broke off the gears. My friends bike also had a bent back tire that would rub against the break every rotation as well as a spoke that broke. No hard riding, no falls...just simply came apart as we were riding!
Their saving grace is that they got a guy to drive a van and meet us to switch my bike out for a functioning one. Took about 45 minutes for him to get there, so definitely a downer in the day. I have to say though, when I called the shop to report the broken bike, the guy on the phone sounded all suspicious. "Are you SURE you didn't crash or pedal backwards while changing gears?"...
It's a bike rental business, so make sure you have bikes that work. It's like a restaurant that serves food in a bowl that just breaks and spills off the table mid-meal. Maybe it was a bad day for them, but I'll check out other bike rental places next time since the competition seems stiff out there.
P.S. Cash only. Booo. -
Review from Shari H.
7/6/2011
Based on the Yelp reviews, we rented beach cruiser bikes for 3-4 hours from Sea Mist over the Fourth of July weekend. Here are some key points from our experience:
- We paid $17 per bike (reg., not tandem) for a 3 hour rental.
- The bikes were fine and in good shape.
- For a $20 refundable deposit, we also rented a stretchy lock. They provided wire bike baskets for free.
- They only take cash. You give them a credit card to hold when you rent and then you pay in cash when you return the bike.
- I really recommend getting a free xeroxed bike trail map from Sea Mist prior to setting off. It lists distances between each major stopping point/town. Also, the paved bike path along the beach takes a detour around Marina Del Rey onto city streets and the map lets you know which streets to take (the bike path signs aren't terribly obvious).
- The SeaMist staff were unfailing friendly and polite. They even gave us a tip for finding the cleanest bathroom in Santa Monica near their shop.
Would definitely rent from here again! -
Review from Lorraine P.
Los Angeles, CA
For $6/ hour, you get a nifty bike, a wire basket (upon request), some sweaty fun and maybe even a tan if you're lucky, OR a sunburn if you're really white. They'll even throw in a bike lock for a $20 refundable deposit.
All you need to do is sign the waiver, leave a driver's license, your cell phone number, choose a bike and off you go. Just be back by 7pm. Easy peasy!
Like the bikes, the guys that run the joint are a bit beat up (I mistook one for a homeless person) but they're very friendly and helpful. The little kiosk offers other rentables like skates and its located just a few steps down from the Santa Monica pier. Cash only! -
Review from Linda C.
5/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
My brother was visiting and of course we HAD to ride a bike along the ocean! We went on a weekday afternoon and parked at the parkade on 2nd street @ Colorado Ave for 2 hrs free parking and just walked to the pier.
I myself have rented from other places before and was dissappointed... so I'm sooooo glad I found 'Sea Mist'. This is a GREAT place for bike rentals for visitors of LA or even you locals who want some fresh ocean air.
- location is prime! Just down the stairs at the beginning of the pier by the aquarium. Gives you a chance to walk around the pier before or after your bike ride if you want, and even grab lunch or dinner in the area. =)
- We rented a tantum bike for $12 / hr (cheaper than the other rental huts)
- The bike was in good condition, had cushy rubber handles, & was newer with very cushy seats (not like the old rusty bikes with uncomfy wirey seats that the other place had).
- The guy behind the counter was really nice, friendly, and laid back. We were rushing to return the bike and I think we were 5-10 mins late but he was nice & charged us only for the hour (Thanks!) -
Review from parviz p.
Cambridge, MA
1/1/2012
Sea Mist motto: "Each bike rental comes with a scary extortion experience free of charge"
Things started off well enough at Sea Mist. The staff were helpful as we sorted through a sea mist of beat-up bikes to find semi-decent ones that took us largely incident-free to Redondo beach and back (minor issue with bent back wheel on one of the bikes butting against the brake that we hade to adjust mid-ride).
When we returned the bikes, however, the operator tried to shake us down for almost 2X the advertised price. The bikes were $17 each for the day and we returned them at 5:11pm. The desk clerk informed us that they were operating under winter hours and that we would have to pay a late fee for returning them past the 5pm close time (though online it was listed as 7pm). He said he would give us a break on the late fee and, after much scribbling to demonstrate that he was really thinking through the math, informed us that there would be a $30 late fee on top of the $34 rental cost for our two bikes. Huh?
We refused to pay the exorbitant late fee, as they did not post anything about it or inform us ahead of time. We did not want to be unreasonable and instead offered to pay $10 extra to smooth things over since we did feel that they were within their rights that 5pm was the cutoff time since it was posted and we incorrectly relied on the web site instead. The clerk told us that the late fee was buried in the fine print for the liability waiver that we signed when we picked up the bikes and unleashed an expletive-laced torrent of verbal abuse that included threats of having people follow us and informing us that the police were their friends and would arrest us. We said we were not going anywhere and were happy to have the police show up at which point the clerk stopped making that threat. Instead, he grew increasingly angry and started ranting incoherently about how he had had a terrible day and was at a breaking point -- the only thing that seemed to be keeping him from swinging punches was the wooden counter between us and perhaps whatever medication he was on.
In a final bid to put the matter to rest and calm the guy down, we suggested reading through the fine print of the contract. Turns out they charge $10 for the first 10 minutes late and $5 for each additional 10 minutes -- yes, $35 for the first hour and $30 per hour after that. But, they don't specify that the late fee is per bike and instead it's reasonable to understand it to be for the full contract (multiple bikes for a group are on the same contract). So, to recap:
(1) Sea Mist plays "gotcha" with a late fee buried in fine print in a document that they misrepresent as simply a liability waiver
(2) They pretend they are cutting us slack but in fact are charging us for an extra 5 mins that did not elapse
(3) On top of this, they mis-represent their own fine print and try to charge 2X higher late fees by pretending that the penalty is per bike even though the contract has no such language (one basic rule in contract law is that if a term is ambiguous and could reasonably interpreted in multiple ways, it's interpreted against the party that wrote the contract since they should have been smart enough to put the right language in--if Sea Mist wanted to charge a per bike late fee in a contract that bundled multiple bikes together, they should have specified that the late fee was per bike in the fine print)
In sum, the real late fee--which, if they were a decent business, they should not have tried to charge us--came to $10, which is what we initially placed on the table anyway along with the $34 fee. Shown that he was wrong, the clerk concluded the unpleasant experience with a customer-friendly: "fine, get the fuck out of here."
I feel somewhat bad blackballing the company since they provide a useful service and we did have a great day of biking. Part of me wants to chalk it up to one bad apple who had a bad day. But, the fact that they relied on fine print in the shady way they did suggests that this might be a calculated practice that occurs regularly. Also, the unhinged clerk was entirely out of line -- no reasonable business would hire or keep someone like that on board. -
Review from Alina S.
Agoura Hills, CA
8/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
I took 3 kids down to Santa Monica today for a day of bike riding and we had a fabulous time!! My bike had some issues because of the attached bike to my son, and the guy waived the rental fee.
I was absolutely ready to pay even tough it was a small inconvenience, but the free ride made it no problem at all! Now that is what I call CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! -
Review from Yi Z.
4/24/2011
Some places charge up to $10/hr for a beach cruiser but Sea Mist's price is only $6/hr. Due to that reason, Sea Mist is my rental place of choice. Sure, some of the bikes aren't in the best condition but for just $6, who cares?
We rode from the Annenberg Community Beach House to Venice Beach and back and still had time to spare. For $6 per person, it was an inexpensive afternoon activity.
Sea Mist is centrally located, the staff are friendly, and the price is really reasonable. -
Review from Tien D.
Houston, TX
10/4/2011
Yes very cheap at $7 an hr! You seriously never forget to ride a bike. I havent been on one for 10 years! It was cool to ride along the beach. It has inspired me and my gf to buy bikes and ride it in our neighborhood.
-
Review from Andy O.
7/24/2011 1 photo
We rented three bikes from Sea Mist Rentals to enjoy a cruise from Santa Monica to Redondo Pier and back. Things started off on the right foot. Though the workers looked like a bunch of homeless vagrants, they were welcoming and willing to provide small bits of advice on what bike to pick. After trying a few bikes out, our group was ready to go. Sure, the bikes were beaten up and rusty, but we figured they'd at least be in condition to do the relatively-non-demanding ride between beaches.
As you may or may not know, there is a nice path that connects from Malibu all the way down to Torrance. It's paved and there is very minimal elevation change. These conditions should not be at all taxing on a bicycle in half-decent shape. Unfortunately, two of the three bikes we rented were absolute crap.
On the very first downshift as we approached a slight incline near Dockweiler Beach, the derailleur hanger/bracket on my buddy's bicycle broke completely off. The assembly itself then jammed into the spokes, taking out a couple and putting the bicycle completely out of commission. Distressed, we gave Sea Mist Rentals a call. Upon hearing our story, their very first response was to accuse us of breaking the bicycle, saying that our sort of issue only happens when the rider pedals backwards while shifting. Further, he mentioned, there was nothing he could do for us. He had the nerve to suggest we take it to a repair shop or walk it back (keep in mind that we're six to seven miles out and the back wheel is jammed so that it must be lifted off the ground to move the bicycle). After a bit of back and forth and dealing with being accused of nonsense, they agreed to send a guy out. In a show of solidarity, the rest of us got off our bikes and we walked to the designated rendezvous point, a mile or so away, and a guy eventually met us with a new bike. Without necessarily being apologetic, he was friendly and seemed to genuinely want to get us back in action. Almost enough to bring them back up to 2 or 3 stars. Almost...
If you recall, I mentioned TWO of the three bikes rented were total shit. The other bike had a bent rear wheel. It was so bent, in fact, that it would rub against the rear brake on every rotation, both triggering the brake and causing a really annoying noise. Sea Mist Rentals was unwilling to send us a replacement. Classy. Eventually, one of the spokes literally snapped, and it began to slap against the brake assembly, which became sort of a metronome to get us to keep on pedaling like there was no tomorrow. Our riding session went from a leisurely Sunday cruise to a hypnotizing game of follow-the-broken-leader.
Now, some people seem to say that Sea Mist Rentals itself is fine, even though their bikes are a bit broken up and old. That, to me, is like saying a restaurant is fine, even if their food is rotten or stale. We aren't talking about a minor flaw that can be overlooked, we're talking about Sea Mist Rentals' primary line of business. If they fail to deliver on that, why bother with them in the first place? -
Review from Joy B.
1/24/2011
Cruised the beach yesterday on a day date biking excursion. Super easy, no fuss rental process: Fill in some info on a form, submit your drivers license, pick a bike & ride away. It's cash only but you pay when you return the bike. Make sure to get back before 5 p.m.
We cruised around for 2.5 hours ($14 total). Headed down the bike path towards Venice, stopped for a coffee break, basked in the sun, people watched (perfect place for it), then ventured out to the streets for while before making our way back along the beach.
Perfect activity for a sunny Sunday afternoon. Parking is a bitch, so get out early and make a day out of it!Listed in: fitness wh*re tested &…
-
Review from Marthie D.
Corona, CA
9/23/2010 4 photos
"I can ride a bike with no handle bars.. no handle bars."
Well, I didn't ride a bike with no handle bars, but I added a free basket to my fly pink rider. For $15/hr my friends and I took up three bikes. It's $6/hr, but honestly, why not pay $15/hr, ride around using the nifty map they provide, stop and shop along Venice, and perhaps eat some where in the Marina Del Rey area, all with a view of the ocean without rushing back before your hours is up? Plus you can get a lock for your bike (we used one lock to lock up three bikes) by just slipping them $20, which they give you back in exchange for the lock. And if you don't want to buy food, why don't' you bring your own food and put it into your basket and eat on the beach?!
Thanks to Sea Mist, I enjoyed my day riding my hot pink ride!
BTW, beware of pedestrians!!! Sometimes they don't realize that the bike path is a BIKE path, hence the crashing accident. So ask Sea Mist if they have horns or those bike bells. I will next time! -
Review from Ching T.
Whittier, CA
9/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
*Super easy to find. It's right underneath the Santa Monica Pier.
*Super easy to rent a bike.
1) just sign the waiver,
2) leave your Driver's License, and
3) pick out your bike.
* Ladies, ask for a basket to be installed for purse, jacket, doggie, etc.
* Off you go!!
$6 per hour or $15 for the whole day. Can't get any better than that. Not sure why people would rate lower than a 5. It's smooth and super easy. What more do you expect?Listed in: West Side
-
Review from Jensen L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/11/2011
I've been wanting to bike that path alongside the Santa Monica beach and finally got the chance to last weekend with the significant other. Our bikes were in desperate need of repair due to lack of maintenance so we ended up coming to Sea Mist Rentals to borrow their bikes instead.
The rate was $6 for an hour and $15 the whole day, cash only. On the day we went, Sea Mist stopped renting bikes out at 4:30 and all bikes had to be returned by 5:30. The operation hours depends on the time of the year.
The process was quick and simple. All we had to do was sign a waiver, give a valid Driver's License for collateral, and off we went with our bikes.
There were no problems with our bikes and we had a good time cruising through Santa Monica and Venice. I'd recommend to Sea Mist Rentals to anyone looking for a bike to ride through the beaches. Their cheap rates and quick service will definitely have me returning when I plan to take on the entire South Bay Bicycle Path. -
Review from Jordan P.
Los Angeles, CA
9/25/2010
$6 an hour and $15 for the whole day. Nothing can get better than that. Really fast and super easy. Just leave your driver's license and sign a paper then you pick your bike. For a $20 deposit (you get it back when done), you can get a lock for the bike.
The only thing is to watch out for the pedestrians on the bike path. They seem not to pay attention there is a bike path and a pathway for walking. -
Review from Teresa H.
Los Angeles, CA
4/5/2011
I would give them a perfect score if they didn't mess up with the scheduling. My club wanted to do a bike social, so I called them and told them that we were brining a large group on Saturday. They said okay. However, it was raining on that Saturday (according to the weather report) and I called them on Friday to cancelled. I reschedule for April 2 and I remember he specifically said that he had it marked on his calendar.
As that day started to approach, I called them to remind them about my club social. They started complaining that they weren't sure they would have enough bikes for us and told us that we should have schedule an appointment. What the hell! Luckily, there were enough bikes or else I would give them 1 star.
This place has terrible customer service but I will admit that they are cheap. The process is quick too. But I would probably not do business with them again. -
Review from James V.
San Jose, CA
7/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Was a great element to the vacay! We rented bikes from this place and rode them to Venice Beach - real fun! Definitely doing it again!
-
Review from carlos a.
5/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is fast and easy. It is located at the start of the Santa Monica pier under the carousel. It is across from the aquarium. You can roll up to the front desk and get a tandem for $30 for the whole day or $12 an hour. Don't come here expecting top of the line well-maintained bikes. You will get a bike that is functional and probably old but if you're ok with that you can get a bike and pay in cash. No credit or debit cards needed. You leave you driver's license and you pay in cash when you get back.
-
Review from Karen F.
Los Angeles, CA
7/31/2010
This place is awesome! They're open from 9 AM to 7 PM and they charge $6 per hour or $15 for the day - cash only! They'll give you a bike lock if you put down a $20 deposit (which they'll return @ the end of the day). We rented 2 bikes from the nice guy @ the counter, who had us sign our names, put down one of our mobile phone #s and leave 1 driver's license with him.
I was carrying a small messenger bag, and the guy distributing bikes kindly attached a basket for me to put it in. So considerate!
Rode from Santa Monica over to Venice and back in a little over half an hour, and we returned our bikes in under an hour since we had to catch a movie over at 3rd St Promenade. The nice man @ the counter apologetically told us that he'd have to charge us the full $6 for each bike (which we were expecting anyway), and gave us 2 free ice-cold bottles of water from his fridge before sending us off on our merry way.
GREAT customer service & prices - we're definitely coming back!!! -
Review from Matt P.
6/7/2010
The cheapest option for bike rentals on the beach for as far as the eye can see. $6/hr is a fair rate, but if you are planning going on a ride over 2 hours or you just want to enjoy a leisurely day of relaxed pedaling without keeping an eye on the clock, I'd suggest just dropping the $15 to rent a bike all day. Totally worth it, considering most other rentals spots nearby will charge close to double, if not more for that kind of unrestricted usage.
Open until 7pm during summer hours, they have a large selection of bikes in constant rotation, so finding a ride that fits your style and size should not be a problem. I showed up at 2pm on a Saturday and only needed to turn around to find the perfect bike for a 25 miler. -
Review from Christine S.
Philadelphia, PA
7/9/2011
Decent service even though it was very crowded and busy. They let us return our five bikes at different times and still only charged according to the time each bike was out. Let us take two locks on the same deposit. As of July 1 rates are now as follows: $7 per hourfor the first hour and $6 each additional hour. $17 for the whole day.
-
Review from Cynthia k.
Los Angeles, CA
4/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
not the best bikes you can rent in santa monica, but probably the most convenience location and certainly the cheapest. if you're looking for the latest trek or fancy mountain bike, bring your own. if you just want a decent pair of wheels to cruise along the beach, definitely come here. if there aren't any bikes when you come, never fear, turnover is fast and people are always returning bikes.
$6 an hour, guys are friendly. -
Review from Brandy A.
6/28/2010
5 stars not because this place has shiny bikes with bells and horns but because they were open later than a lot of their counterparts in the area--and being that my friend and I arrived later in the day at the pier this was much appreciated! They're open until 7 if I remember correctly. We got there a little before 6 which gave us a good hour to ride down the beach before returning.
A nice man runs the place, and after taking down our name, phone number, and ID for collateral we were free to choose the numerous beach cruisers sitting in a row outside the shop. Bikes are in good condition, can't say much about them besides that.
To get to the place you have to go under the pier on the left hand side.Listed in: West LA
-
Review from mar m.
San Gabriel, CA
7/16/2011
My friend and I decided to drive down to Santa Monica on Friday morning and rent some bikes. Based on the positive reviews on Yelp, we decided to go to Sea Mist Rentals. There was a short wait, but the staff were quick and helpful. After signing a waiver, providing a valid photo id, and leaving a $20 deposit, we were provided with a lock and selected our bikes. The bikes were in good condition and we were each given a basket upon request. When we returned, the check in process was quick and easy. Just remember - cash only. If you happen to forget, there is an ATM a few doors down, but if you want to avoid the service charge, bring cash!
-
Review from Katidia H.
Culver City, CA
6/5/2010
Had a great experience here. Needed a bike and a kiddie egg attachment thingie and 10 dollars for both per hour. Right down your cell number, leave your ID, and your OFF! No interrogation, no deposit...just bring it back before they close.
I picked up the bike close to 5 and they closed at 7. Dropped it off at 7 on the dot, paid, and was on my merry way.
Quick, easy, and hassle free....cash only.Listed in: On a Budget
-
Review from Cathy G.
Glendale, CA
7/11/2011
Oops -- I originally mistakenly posted this under another Santa Monica bike-rental, but we actually rented from Sea Mist. They're all right there on the boardwalk, it's easy to mix them up!
After my daughter's surf lesson, we wanted to try riding a tandem bike. Sea Mist fixed us right up, helped adjust the seats, and even attached a basket to the bike for my purse and our lunch doggy bag. We had a wonderful spin to the end of the bike path in Malibu and back -- Spokes is tactically located at one of the spots where there is paved access from the pedestrian walkway to the bike path, so we didn't have to weave through the walkers. Riding a tandem is FUN once you get the hang of starting and stopping. They also had a bunch of beach cruisers, road bikes, bike trailers, and other pedal-powered toys.
Make sure you have cash on hand, because they won't accept a debit/credit card, and I had to go pay a user fee at an ATM. To their credit, though, they let me return the bike after exactly an hour and THEN go get cash, so I didn't get charged for a second hour. All the employees we dealt with were friendly, laid-back, and helpful. -
Review from Karen L.
Los Angeles, CA
6/5/2010
Since I still haven't gotten my own beach cruiser, I rented one from Sea Mist Rentals and was very impressed. Rates are $6 an hour or $15 a day, which I think is pretty reasonable. When they saw that I had my 5 1/2 pound Maltese with me, they automatically attached a basket (with a piece of cardboard to cover the basket's openings) to the front of my bike so that my dog could ride as well. :) Now that's great service! You can also borrow a bike lock with a $20 refundable deposit, which can be applied towards your rental fee when you return. As far as parking, the nearest lot would be the one closest to the pier, which I believe charges $15. The rental booth is at the bottom of the pier, near the bike path and merry-go-round, so it's very convenient.
It was a windy day, so unfortunately we didn't get too far on PCH. However, I will definitely rent from Sea Mist Rentals, until I get my own bike! -
Review from Belinda S.
Irvine, CA
12/24/2009
$6 an hour for bike rental. $15 for all day. They also prorate per hour increments as well. Service is pretty friendly and the paperwork is minimal.
My bike wasn't in the best condition, but I was able ride all the way down to Venice and back without any problems. -
Review from Devon A.
Ann Arbor, MI
7/1/2009
Definitely a few bucks cheaper than the other bike rentals nearby. We paid $15/bike for the day. Yeah, the bikes are a bit hit. The derailleurs, gears and gear shifters were a mess, the chain should get replaced, and the wheels were in need of being trued. But whatever, this is all about a leisurely ride, right? And, the other nearby bike shops' rentals were just as bad.
The people running this spot are very friendly and go out of there way to help plan a trip for you. There is a decent selection of cruisers and simple mountain bikes (with hilariously blown-out suspensions on the front fork). Rent from these good peoples. -
Review from Sammy n Laura G.
Clifton, NJ
5/2/2011
best rates around the pier.
these guys are bros! -
Review from Amy K.
2/15/2010 1 photo
Easy in, easy out. Convenient location near the SM pier and literally ON the beach bike path. Best deal in the area (beats the Snack/Rental Stand just to the south)....$6/hr or $15/day for any bike (mountain, hybrid, cruiser), helmet optional; $20 deposit for lock (refunded upon return). Approach is totally hands off and self-serve, but if you have questions, staff is knowledgeable and super friendly. Maps available, though most people seem to stick to within a couple miles along the bike path.
Was biking to the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades/Malibu, and needed insight on the road/path conditions. Sean was great about giving his 2 cents...learned that the official path ended 2+/- miles from Malibu, at which point bikes share the PCH with motorists. Good thing I asked, since dodging semis & speeding convertibles was not on my agenda for a leisurely ride along the sandy beaches. Sean pointed out several reliable options for locking the bike so I could continue on foot--very helpful info.
Bike & lock were in great condition...would be nice to have a basket/pouch for storage, so bring your own! Closes at 5:30pm; CASH ONLY. Also be aware that an official ID is kept as collateral, so bring an extra in case you might be imbibing while riding!
