Getting to LA Throwback Beach Ultimate Fest
For 2025, the City of Santa Monica has requested that we move the fields south of the pier.
All fields will be located between the Santa Monica Pier and Beach Parking Lot 4 South, which is about half way between Pico and Ocean Park Blvds (the entry is closer to Pico than to Ocean Park). If you are coming by car, you should park in this lot. If you put it into your favorite map program to find it, be sure to include the S, or South part, or you may find yourself somewhere you do not want to be. All fields will be located on the beach north of this lot.
However, your map app may tell you to take the I-10 west all the way to either the Lincoln or 4th/5th St exits. Do not do this. This is a bad idea. We strongly recommend that you do not come to the beach via the I-10, since it is closed to thru traffic to the PCH, and the last two exits still open, Lincoln and 4th/5th have long lines to get off. Instead, if you are coming from anywhere east, it’s best to take the 405 and get off at Venice Blvd and head west all the way to Pacific, then turn right, or, take the 90 Marina Fwy all the way til it ends at Lincoln. Your map app will lead you to the right place from there.
Please note: when walking from your car to the fields, please be mindful not to walk on the bike path. There is a walk path right next to the bike path immediately north of the lot, but as you move further north, toward the pier, the two diverge. The bike path runs much closer to the fields. Despite this, please make a point of not walking on it and blocking bikes and other wheeled vehicles. They have the right of way, not you, and we want to be good neighbors. It’s fine to walk in the sand next to the bike path, but again, please do not walk on the bike path. It’s tempting we know, but please don’t.
Lot 4S may fill up, in which case you can park in the next lot, several blocks south of it, which is Lot 5 S.
We highly recommend you opting for one of the public transportation, shared ride, or bike options listed below).
Parking
The fee to park in the lots labeled on the Field map is $12 for winter weekends, and you purchase the permit from a kiosk with a card or cash. There are no in-and-out privileges. Given the expense, and if you are staying close to the fields, you may want to take a ride share use an alternative described below (Uber, Lyft) rather than drive. View the City of Santa Monica Parking map and check the current parking rates here.
The field map will indicate the best parking lot to park in for your fields if you are driving or taking a rides hare. However, you should be aware of the following:
There are big blue signs in all the lots that bear a large number 5. These are very prominent, and easy to see. You being a reasonable person may interpret this to mean the lot you are approaching or passing is lot 5, but you would be wrong. The prominent, easily visible 5 on these many signs refers to the speed limit in the parking lot, and there are such big blue 5’s in ALL the parking lots. The sign that indicate the Lot #s are very small, located at the lot entrance, easy to miss when driving past, and there is only one of them, positioned right where you need to turn. Follow the directions and the field map carefully to be sure you turn into the correct lot, and don’t go sailing past it.
Warning: Parking expires at 6:00 PM, and parking tickets will be issued by Santa Monica Parking Enforcement for cars remaining much later (don’t go to dinner and come back later for your car).
Metro Light Rail
The Metro E Line makes travel even easier, connecting Santa Monica by light rail to Downtown Los Angeles in under 50 minutes. With three stations located throughout Santa Monica – from the downtown neighborhood to Mid-City – the Metro Expo Line is a great way to travel within the destination. Additionally, with the ability to connect to Pasadena, San Fernando Valley, South Bay, Long Beach and dozens of points in between, visitors can travel to and from Santa Monica easily.
Bikes & Scooters
Santa Monica’s Breeze Bike Share program is a citywide, public bike share program that boasts over 500 bikes available at various locations around town. Along with a bright green or red colors, each bike is equipped with of cushy features like chainless transmission. a “smart bike” system lets users use GPS software to locate the nearest set of bikes. Download a mobile app to pay fares. Miles of bike lanes around town add to the ease of pedal-powered travel. The Marvin Braude Beach Trail known to locals as “The Strand,” is the iconic multiuse recreational bike path which stretches from Pacific Palisades to Torrance, with 22 miles of inspiring coastal scenery.
Scooters are also available for rent around town and the bike path, however rules and regulations for them are constantly changing. Use QR codes on these to rent them with the most popular apps. If you think you might try these, we suggest downloading the apps before you come and inputting your payment details, otherwise you might be frustrated by long waits or spotty phone service.
Santa Monica Bus
The Big Blue Bus departs the LAX City Bus Center and features two lines to town, Route 3 or Rapid 3. Better still, tickets are just $1.25. Once in Santa Monica, the Big Blue Santa Monica bus is also a very efficient way to get around. This is also a great option if you bus to Santa Monica from surrounding areas including greater Los Angeles and LAX.
Lyft/Uber
Look for Lyft and Uber promo codes before the weekend and make sure your accounts are up-to-date; we highly recommend using Uber/Lyft for the Tournament party.
Santa Monica Circuit
Pedestrians can also hail the Santa Monica Circuit, golf cart–style cabs that offer a complimentary lift anywhere in their service area between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street. Carts operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with later hours on weekends. Many local hotels also offer car service around town.
For more information on mobility opportunities throughout Santa Monica, visit the City of Santa Monica’s website.
