Santa Monica Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Santa Monica showing a city, general coastal views and street scenes
Santa Monica which includes general coastal views
Santa Monica
Santa Monica featuring general coastal views and marine life
Santa Monica featuring modern architecture, a city and a playground

An up-market city home to surfers, students, and celebrities, this is where to enjoy one of the famous beaches, a historic pier and great nightlife of the Los Angeles area.

Santa Monica has been one of LA’s most fashionable beach cities for decades. It’s easy to see why with its famous beaches, historic pier, balmy year-round weather and a trendy crowd that frequents the many cafés, boutiques and bars.

Grab a towel and head to the well-maintained beach, which stretches for 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres). The sand is raked daily and is shared by volleyball players, swimmers and sunbathers throughout the year. 

For a bit of fun, check out the historic Santa Monica Pier where all the family will enjoy the Pacific Park amusement centre. There’s also a small aquarium, shops and arcade. 

Wander between the cafés, bookstores, and cinemas of the Third Street Promenade. Check out Main Street for more shops, or go celebrity watching on Montana Avenue. Admire quality top-notch art, visit the Bergamot Station Arts Centre. You’ll find the Santa Monica Museum of Art as well as several other smaller galleries. In the evening, drop by the Santa Monica Playhouse for a show, then head out to choose from dozens of bars and restaurants. 

From Third St Promenade head to Palisades Park. It stretches for 25 acres (10 hectares), and its treelined paths give a great view of the ocean. There are plenty of spots to picnic, read and watch the world go by. 

If you feel like picking up the pace, rent a bike and go for a ride along the 22-mile (35-kilometre) Marvin Braude Bike Trail. This trail passes beneath the Santa Monica Pier and runs mostly along the Pacific Ocean.   

Santa Monica is home to a sophisticated and fun crowd. You can hit the beach, party, go celebrity watching, or check out the well-developed art scene and eclectic shops. 

Where to stay in Santa Monica

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Downtown Santa Monica

4.5/5(45 area reviews)

While you're in Downtown Santa Monica, take in top sights like Santa Monica Beach and jump on the metro at Downtown Santa Monica Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Santa Monica
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Ocean Park

4/5(23 area reviews)

Ocean Park is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Venice Beach and Santa Monica Beach.

Ocean Park
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Pico

While you're in Pico, take in top sights like Santa Monica Place or Third Street Promenade, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 17th Street/SMC Station or 26th Street/Bergamot Station.

Pico
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Sunset Park

4/5(7 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Sunset Park and surrounding area, you can visit Penmar Golf Course and Bergamot Station Arts Center.

Sunset Park
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Wilshire Montana

If you're spending some time in Wilshire Montana, Santa Monica Beach and Third Street Promenade are top sights worth seeing.

Wilshire Montana
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Mid-City

4/5(10 area reviews)

Even though there aren't top sights in Mid-City, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Santa Monica Beach. Jump on the metro at 17th Street/SMC Station to see more of the city.

Mid-City
The Pierside Santa Monica
The Pierside Santa Monica
4 out of 5
120 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA
The price is Rp4.942.171 per night from 18 May to 19 May
Rp4.942.171
Rp6.665.650 total
18 May - 19 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,216 reviews)
"The property’s location was excellent. I loved the surrounding area and proximity to the beach."

Reviewed on 15 May 2025

The Pierside Santa Monica
Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica
Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica
4 out of 5
530 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Fully refundable
The price is Rp3.478.117 per night from 31 May to 1 Jun
Rp3.478.117
Rp4.784.794 total
31 May - 1 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the bar and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Lovely hotel and very convenient location"

Reviewed on 10 May 2025

Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica
The Huntley Hotel
The Huntley Hotel
4.5 out of 5
1111 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA
The price is Rp4.341.342 per night from 26 May to 27 May
Rp4.341.342
Rp5.782.009 total
26 May - 27 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a free local area shuttle and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,827 reviews)
"Love this property Highly recommend"

Reviewed on 16 May 2025

The Huntley Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
3 out of 5
219 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (627 reviews)
"Nice place, walkable to many things"

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Venice Breeze Suites
Venice Breeze Suites
3.5 out of 5
2 Breeze Avenue, Venice, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Venice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,648 reviews)
CANT WAIT TO GO BACK!
"The staff was AMAZING! A big thank you to Daniella who is a delight. She was kind and answered all our questions. The hotel was clean and a great vibe. The rooftop is a must. The view is amazing!"

Reviewed on 11 May 2025

Venice Breeze Suites
Casas On Cordova Street
Casas On Cordova Street
2 out of 5
1864 Cordova St, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Crypto.com Arena and L.A. Live are ...
8/10 Very Good! (13 reviews)
"Like an apartment building"

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Casas On Cordova Street
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Santa Monica

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
45
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
35
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
10
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Pier and beach are excellent, city seemed very clean, didn’t not feel unsafe at all, people friendly, decent transport links. Quite a few homeless but that’s basically the same throughout LA from what we could tell.

5/5 - Excellent

Gill

A great location to stay for a visit to LA. We visited downtown LA and other attractions in the daytime and returned to Santa Monica to chill in the evening. The area is very safe to walk around with many excellent restaurants and good shopping

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great atmosphere with plenty to see and do. Good beaches and great shopping. Always felt safe and everyone was friendly.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Excellent place to visit. Loved it will be back x

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Len & Jan are lovely hosts.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Apart from the large amount of homeless people in the area found Santa Monica to be a safe and friendly place, quite clean and would definitely stay there again.

Cities near Santa Monica