Cancel

Open app

Search

International Chess Park

4.3 (18 reviews)

International Chess Park Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - International Chess Park

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Mandy T.

My kids were excited to play giant chess here. When we arrived we saw lots of tables with built-in chess boards (but you bring your own pieces). Unfortunately, the giant pieces were locked up. I asked a small group playing about it, and I'm so glad I did, because there was no sign with directions. You can get the key to unlock pieces from the Santa Monica police department on the Pier (across from Bubba Gump). You sign the key out and they hold your drivers license until you return the key. The locals tell me it rarely gets use, and it was evident. The locks were a bit rusty and challenging to unlock. It was worth the effort though. My kids had a blast. A local hanging out started giving my younger boy advice on his moves and he ended up beating his older brother, who is a good player (this never happens). We all got a kick out of it. He learned later his new friend was homeless. A lot of homeless do frequent this park. Don't let that scare you away. They were kind, welcoming and genuinely pleased to see kids enjoying chess - something they all clearly enjoy, too. Four stars because getting the pieces out was a pain. But, we enjoyed it anyway.

See all

Photo of Linh Y.
231
2364
79855

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0
Photo of Chess L.
0
27
178

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of D F.
119
18
2

4 years ago

Cool spot for Giant Chess. I heard the keys are at the information center on the pier

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 18
Thanks 1
Love this 27
Oh no 0
Photo of Jab A.
0
23
0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jill Z.
22
34
16

9 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0
Photo of LDB C.
6
132
51

18 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

17 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 8
Oh no 0
Photo of Joan S.
998
1674
11530

22 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Matthew H.
184
26
39

14 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Pretty cool spot whereby people can play chess, overlooks the beach and muscle park.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Planning to go to chess park tomorrow(10/17) with my girlfriend if anyone wants to meet up for a quick game.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Mo R.
47
80
9

18 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - International Chess Park

Review Highlights - International Chess Park

Close by to the Hot Dog On a Stick stand at the Santa Monica Pier, this place lures some characters.

Mentioned in 3 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Parks 25,904 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Palisades Park

Palisades Park

4.6
(175 reviews)
1.2 mi

If Mother Nature and Hollywood had a baby, it would be Palisades Park…read more Perched high on the bluffs above Santa Monica, this place serves up million-dollar views without charging admission. One minute you're gazing at the sparkling Pacific Ocean, the next you're looking down at the iconic Santa Monica Pier while palm trees sway like they're showing off for tourists. Throw in fruit vendors, hot dog stands, street performers, and restaurants just steps away, and you've got one of the best people-watching spots in California. My son and I wandered the trails with nowhere to be and no reason to rush. The salty ocean breeze, the postcard-worthy scenery, and the laid-back atmosphere made it one of those days you wish you could bottle up and take home. Honestly, the only workout I got was trying to keep my jaw from hitting the sidewalk every time I looked out at the coastline. Whether you're chasing the perfect sunset, looking for a romantic stroll, or just need a reminder that life can still be ridiculously beautiful, Palisades Park delivers. Bring your camera, your walking shoes, and maybe a hot dog because calories consumed with an ocean view don't count... or at least that's the story I'm sticking with.

This park is frequented by people who enjoy the beautiful outdoors. I saw so many people either…read morejogging through the park or doing a group exercise class on the geen spaces. The paved paths are mostly smooth except where the earth is settling or where the brown squirrels have dug out the ground near the railings that overlook to the beach. There are plenty of food vendors to buy a lunch and enjoy a picnic. There is paid parking lots and bicycle parking as well. There are bathrooms that a secured by an attendant at the entrance. I loved the people watching and the views of the beach area. It was very relaxing.

Photos
September 5, 2025 | Friday | Palisades Park | Gorgeous flowers!!
September 5, 2025 | Friday | Palisades Park | Gorgeous flowers!!
What journey be long and straight and sensitive at hand? To what end must man go to discover the depths of his ecstasy? #BnWPhoto #Fall2022
What journey be long and straight and sensitive at hand? To what end must man go to discover the depths of his ecstasy? #BnWPhoto #Fall2022
View of the beach from the park

See all

View of the beach from the park
Marine Park

Marine Park

4.5
(22 reviews)
1.7 mi

Our baby friend Felix K.-L. turned two last month, and we went to Marine Park in Santa Monica to…read morecelebrate his birthday. The park was fantastic, pristine and spacious with a top tier playground. Felix's parents claimed a prime seating area right outside the playground, where we could eat and socialize while keeping an eye on our various kids. The set-up felt very safe and easy. I admit to losing track of my five-year-old for long stretches at a time, and once finding him in a piece of playground equipment with a group of children he didn't know, giggling as two of their dads spun them around and around. My two-year-old spent a lot of time in the sand with several toddler friends, pouring sand into a play table and also all up in their clothes. We brought our elderly basset hound Duke in a mobility stroller, and he got lots of attention, too. It was a nice outing for our whole family. I also couldn't help but notice that the park was right next to the Santa Monica Airport and other airplane-themed entertainment. We live pretty far from Marine Park, but I have a feeling we'll be back.

We've been visiting parks in the area over the past few years and visited this one the other day…read more Have to say that we really enjoyed this park Nice play area with a variety of play structures and things to climb on. Our kids spent the most time on the play structure in this park. Very safe play area, fenced in and clean bathrooms. Lots of kids with their nanny's and others enjoying summer camps. Ample parking. One of the best parks around in our comparative searching.

Photos
Coaching, and getting high-fives
Coaching, and getting high-fives
Happy that he'swas  the best goalie that day
Happy that he'swas the best goalie that day
Maroon Lightening

See all

Maroon Lightening
Joslyn Park

Joslyn Park

4.2
(59 reviews)
0.8 mi

I went to Joslyn Park for my little friend Felix K.-L.'s 3rd birthday the other week. It was a nice…read morepark, a great place to spend a couple easy Saturday hours with the kids. Parking was a breeze. The park has an indoor room you can reserve if you plan far enough ahead, but the outdoor tables are first come first served. Felix's parents claimed a couple tables and brought two of their own, creating a sizable shady party space right next to the playground. I think the whole area was surrounded by a fence, so none of the pre-school age children could easily wander off. My boys had a blast playing in the sand and on the cute structure. There was also a little set-up for puppet shows, and all the kids kept going over there and pretending to buy and sell ice cream. I live too far from Santa Monica to make much use of Joslyn Park, but I know a good park when I see one. I'd recommend this place if you have young children, whether for party time or just a relaxing hour of play.

This is a great dog park! I have a small dog and enjoy the small dog area. I was a pleasantly…read moresurprised one Sunday morning when I discovered a great little church meets at the park auditorium adjacent to the dog park. They had a covered area outside with a speaker so I could enjoy the church service with my dog after playing at the park! They even brought coffee out to me and had water for my dog. I'll definitely come back on Sunday's more often.

Photos
Joslyn Park
Always quiet in here
Always quiet in here
Playground and a dog park !!

See all

Playground and a dog park !!
Goose Egg Park

Goose Egg Park

4.1
(17 reviews)
1.3 mi

Cute little park shaped like a goose egg, what a clever name!? I wouldn't really call it so much a…read morepark. But, more a eggs shaped part of grass in the middle of some residential homes. The street parking has a 2 hour limit Monday-Thursday and Friday has no parking zones.

Do you know why they call it Goose Egg Park?…read more Well... A group was looking for a restroom one day and saw there was a Park on the map and drove over and BIG GOOSE EGG--No Restroom in the park! Another group was looking to have a birthday party and use the Picnic Tables for the celebration and BIG GOOSE EGG--no Tables in the park! Another group was looking for a playground for their kids and BIG GOOSE EGG--no playground. Another group was looking for a Park to smoke, blast loud music, and yell and disturb everyone else in a park and BIG GOOSE EGG--no smoking allowed, no radios, no noise in the park! Another group was looking for a pond and BIG GOOSE EGG--no pond or body of water in the park! Another group came to the park to play baseball and BIG GOOSE EGG--no baseball field. Another group came to the park to play basketball and BIG GOOSE EGG...you get the point. Then what can you do in the park? It's a Poop Factory Park, that's it! Dozens of people bring their Poop Factory (dog) to the park. If it was any smaller it would be called a traffic circle. Few people sit down because you don't know what you will be sitting in. I just like riding my bike around and around it on the street, and watching people yell when they step in.....

Photos
Laying down on the grass and looking at the sky through the brunches and leaves of the tree
Laying down on the grass and looking at the sky through the brunches and leaves of the tree
Goose Egg Park
Goose Egg Park

See all

International Chess Park - parks - Updated July 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...