It may seem like the best things to do in Santa Monica, CA are apparent: gorgeous Santa Monica State Beach and the renowned Santa Monica Pier. But there’s much more to this southern California paradise.
As someone local to Los Angeles, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy the best that Santa Monica has to offer, from amusement park thrills to strolling farmer’s markets and taking hikes in the Santa Monica mountains. In this guide, we`ll go over all my favorite spots, including a few hidden gems that may be new even to other locals.
Be sure to bookmark my guide on the prime attractions in Los Angeles while browsing.
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20 Best Things to Do in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica Beach
Relax on a beautiful beach sprinkled with palm trees and boasting many conveniences, beside the sea.
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Santa Monica`s shores are simply spectacular. They attract both vacationers and locals alike, earning this beach a high placement on my list of best beaches in LA.
Whether you’re searching for a family fun day or a few hours of basking, the soft, golden sand and gentle surf are sure to please.
Santa Monica State Beach offers a variety of recreational activities like beach volleyball courts that complement the active pier and Pacific Park well. Guests can rent bikes to enjoy the Marvin Braude Bike Trail.
North of Santa Monica State Beach, Will Rogers State Beach offers a peaceful and lovely atmosphere, including a playground for children near the north beach area.
🛎️ A Hotel option? The Huntley Santa Monica Beach is a lovely beachfront hotel in Santa Monica, CA just a brief 5-minute walk from Third Street Promenade.
Santa Monica Pier
Romp between entertaining spots on a wooden platform jutting out over the Pacific Ocean.
📍 Maps Location | Phone: (310) 458-8900 | Website Address | Hours: 6 am – 12 am daily | Entrance: Free
This renowned structure is a tremendously busy Santa Monica site to explore, filled with vibrant and interactive tourist attractions. Street performers engage audiences with participatory shows. Pastries and fried snacks scent the ocean breeze, increasing the cheerful setting.
Few notable recreational areas merge classic carnival spirit and magnificent coastal splendor so artfully as Pacific Park. Boasting an ocean-bordering steel roller coaster and a globally renowned Ferris wheel, this thrilling destination is equally enjoyable for youthful visitors and those still young at heart.
The pier is within easy walking distance of Third Street Promenade and many excellent hotels located in Santa Monica, CA.
🌊 Love exploring piers? Check out Torrance County Beach and the unique horseshoe-shaped pier at Redondo Beach, just south of Santa Monica.
Third Street Promenade
Treat yourself to a trip to this lush, tree-lined zone for shopping and dining.
📍 Detailed map location | Phone: (310) 393-8355
Located in the heart of downtown Santa Monica, CA, Third Street Promenade is a scenic main street filled with abundant eateries and some of the premier coffee shops in Los Angeles. Fountains, sculptures, and string lights enhance the charming environment.
In place of the lively acts on the pier, street performers here serenade passersby with relaxing tunes. Movie theaters and venues like Westside Comedy Theatre offer numerous activities once the shops have closed.
Don’t miss out on getting a scoop or two at Sweet Rose Creamery. Homemade in Santa Monica, CA, this popular ice cream shop serves about a dozen delicious flavors like several Sweet Rose Creamery seasonal special offerings.
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Source locally grown and curated goods in a cheery open-air marketplace.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 458-8712 | Hours: 8 am – 1 pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays
The Santa Monica farmers market is high on the list of LA locals’ favorite things to do in Santa Monica. Meandering open-air stands turns the chore of grocery shopping into a pleasant excursion you can look forward to.
The market features dozens of stalls offering locally sourced fresh produce and artisanal regional delicacies from the area. One stand focuses on assorted specialty honey products. Flower vendors provide long-stemmed blooms perfectly suited for crafting bouquets.
Parking near the farmer`s market can be challenging, but the facilities along the promenade offer ample parking space. Be sure to bring a cart if shopping for more than what can be carried.
🍎 Pro Tip: The downtown location is just one of three farmers markets in Santa Monica, California.
Museum of Flying
Allow your mind to imagine among vintage aircraft and displays about aviation history. .
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 398-2500 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Thursday through Sunday | Entrance: $10, adults, $6 under 13
As someone with an aviation background, the Museum of Flying holds significant meaning to me. I even gained my pilot certification flying a plane much like the Cessna 172 parked outside!
The Museum of Flying provides an obvious attraction for aviators and those fascinated with flight, with the collection of jet aircraft from WWII also holding substantial interest for history enthusiasts of that time period. Highlights incorporate a scaled Wright Flyer design and an unconventional handcrafted plane, the Rutan VariEZE.
Located on Airport Ave one block west of Bundy Drive, the museum can easily be spotted thanks to an enormous Douglas DC-3, staged to appear taking off. Constructed at the Santa Monica airport in 1942, this airliner has been affectionately called “The Spirit of Santa Monica.”
Palisades Park
Marvel at spectacular perspectives in a blufftop park overlooking the famed pier in Santa Monica, California .
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 310-458-8300 | Hours: 5:30 am -11 pm Monday through Saturday, 6 am – 11:30 pm Sunday
Set on a cliff overlooking the coastline, Palisades Park provides sweeping views of Santa Monica Bay with numerous benches to enjoy this gorgeous panorama stretching from the Santa Monica Pier north to Malibu.
Palisades Park provides plenty to appreciate at any time of day. Grab a coffee from Third Street Promenade for an early morning stroll amidst the park`s dewy roses. Come evening, pick up a snack from a local food truck to savor appetizers al fresco alongside a stunning sunset over the bluffs.
🛎️ Need a Hotel? The Oceana Santa Monica is straight across Ocean Avenue from Palisades Park, and its highlights encompass bright rooms and cocktails served at an outdoor fireplace.
DOG PPL
Fetch a drink for yourself while playing fetch with Fido at LA’s first and sole canine social club.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (213) 337-7726 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Sunday through Thursday, 8 am – 9 pm Fridays & Saturdays | Monthly Membership: $80 – $130
The first rule at DOG PPL is obvious: Canines must be cherished! Conceptualized with our four-legged friends’ requirements at the forefront, DOG PPL is the ultimate dog park in Santa Monica, CA.
While fur babies frolic, pet parents can enjoy a coffee or tea from the cafe, which also has a wine and beer list that’s nothing to disregard.
Canines have to pass a behavioral assessment to gain entry to this members-only club, so you can feel confident your pet won’t run into any ferocious dogs.
Annenberg Community Beach House
Swim, lounge, and play in the sand at a historic seaside mansion in Santa Monica.
📍 Google Maps site | Phone: (310) 458-4904 | Website address | Hours: 8 am – 9 pm daily (shorter hours for pool & gated areas) | Entrance: Free
Annenberg Community Beach House provides a nice escape from the crowds near the pier. Visitors can enjoy the public swimming pool and various fitness classes for all ages, like beach volleyball and paddle boarding.
A popular location for birthday parties, there are lots of fun activities for the kids, like a playground and splash pad. One of the summer’s most popular events is a rollicking Cardboard Yacht Regatta.
Art lovers can tour a small gallery located in the Marion Davies Guest House that showcases works from the City of Santa Monica’s collection as well as rotating exhibits that feature pieces created by local talent.
Annenberg Community Beach House is just five minutes away from the Santa Monica Pier, a direct trip north on Pacific Coast Highway. Turn left at Beach House Way into the parking lot.
Loof Hippodrome and Carousel
Twirl on hand-carved woody horses at a hundred-year-old amusement center .
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 458-8901 | Hours: 11 am – 8 pm daily | Tickets: $6
The Loof Hippodrome celebrated its centennial in 2022, and its nostalgic charm provides a pleasant contrast to the bustling tourist spots near Santa Monica, California.
Both children and adults enjoy the classic merry-go-round, featuring hand-carved wooden horses. An old-fashioned soda fountain serves cold treats, typically with a shorter queue than other nearby food vendors.
Located at the base of the Santa Monica Pier just off Ocean Avenue, the less busy Hippodrome is a great spot to get away from the crowded areas for a few minutes.
Heal the Bay Aquarium
Gain an inside perspective on local sea creatures in this aquarium run by a local environmental nonprofit organization.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 393-6149 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 4 pm Wed-Sun | Entrance: $10, adults, Free under 13
The Heal the Bay Aquarium exhibits over 100 local species, and this small award-winning aquarium is a great opportunity to get to know some of the native sea life in Santa Monica, CA. A popular hands-on activity is the starfish feedings, every Saturday at 1 pm and 3 pm.
The aquarium is another of the enjoyable things around Santa Monica Pier that tends to be less crowded. Situated under the pier, it’s easily accessed from the boardwalk or by taking the stairs down from the Hippodrome.
Papille Gustative
Indulge in artisanal delights at this forward-focused, zero-waste eatery offering tasty specialty coffees .
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (424) 322-8040 | Hours: 7:30 am – 2 pm Monday through Friday, 8 am – 3 pm Saturday, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Sunday | 🍽️ Farm-Fresh Menu | $$
At Papille Gustative restaurant in Santa Monica, California, though sustainably sourced, every bite is completely delicious. Even though eco-friendly options sometimes mean sacrifice, not so at this Main Street gem!
Chef Wendy Wahito’s farm-to-table artisanal foods are beautifully exhibited works of edible art. Whether you select a seemingly simple avocado toast or gourmet scorched salmon, every dish is elevated to new heights.
🍳 Brunch Pro Tip: You shouldn’t miss the Danish Rye Bar! One of these phenomenal toasts is ideal for small appetites, or you can combine a few to share.
Outdoor Fitness
Experience fresh air and natural light as your workout companions by visiting outdoor exercise facilities, beachfront bicycle paths, and the renowned Santa Monica stairs.
📍 Various Locations
You’ll find loads of great fitness-related activities in Santa Monica. The original Muscle Beach features classic outdoor exercise equipment like steel rings and balance bars. If you’ve got moves to showcase, the Santa Monica beach and amusement park make a fabulous backdrop for social media posts.
To get in some seaside exercise, visitors can rent bicycles and hit the Marvin Braude Bike Trail. Beloved by locals, the bike trail extends 21 miles from Will Rogers State Beach to Redondo Beach.
Dedicated fitness enthusiasts love the Santa Monica stairs, which are two series of outdoor steps, one constructed of wood (170 steps) and one constructed of concrete (199 steps.) These aren’t situated on the beach and have no facilities available, so bring anything you need. The nearest restroom is about half a mile south, where Adelaide Dr meets Ocean Ave.
⛔ Where to park: There are numerous parking areas surrounding the beach, but Adelaide Dr requires permits and is frequently patrolled by parking enforcement officers. This walking route will take you from parking spots along San Vicente Blvd to the Santa Monica stairs.
Santa Monica Mountains
Hike or bike through chaparral and oak woodlands along some of the most popular trails in Los Angeles County.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (805) 370-2301 | 👉 Scenic Santa Monica Electric Mountain Biking Experience
When searching for outdoor Santa Monica spots, motorists should travel north on Pacific Coast Highway to the Santa Monica Mountains region. The closest options for hiking and mountain biking lie just north of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
Avid nature fans may want to venture a bit farther from Santa Monica, CA, to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area. This wilderness stretches between Topanga State Park and Point Mugu State Park.
Over 500 miles of hiking paths explore a variety of sights, including waterfalls, old movie ranches used for filming, and centers focused on Native American culture.
🚗 How to Reach It: You`ll need a rental vehicle first! If you need to rent, Discover Cars has great deals. To check nearby trails, head north on Pacific Coast Highway then turn right on Temescal Canyon Road. To access Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, head north on Pacific Coast Highway then turn right on Malibu Canyon Road.
Tongva Park
Travel pathways between contemporary structures and sculptures in this urban park featuring an inventive playground.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 458-8310 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 11 pm daily
Check out Tongva Park when looking for a budget-friendly activity. It’s located at the corner of Ocean Avenue & Colorado Avenue near the pier, providing a lovely escape from the crowds.
Artistic, modern designs throughout the park bring fresh flair to classic green space. The Super Awesome Kids Park and Splash Pad provide free activities for children.
Tongva Park is also suitable for groups to reunite following separation. The park is split into four main sections – Observation Hill, Discovery Hill, Garden Hill, and Gathering Hill. Distinct meeting locations can be found in each area.
California Heritage Museum
Broaden your outlook while surveying displays devoted to an assorted variety of cultural treasures.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 392-8537 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 4 pm daily, Closed Mondays & Tuesdays | Entrance: $10, adults, $5 seniors/students, Free under 12
For those searching for less touristy things to do in Santa Monica, the California Heritage Museum will be directly up your road. This Main Street gem is situated far from the occupied tourist zones on Ocean Avenue and presents exceptional works connected to California culture.
Just across the street, the historic mansion The Victorian hosts a lively speakeasy with live music. It opens at 5 pm Wednesday through Friday, and 2 pm Saturday & Sunday (closed Monday & Tuesday).
On Wednesdays from 5 – 9 pm there’s a gourmet food truck gathering in the California Heritage Museum parking lot. It’s perfect if you’re seeking takeout but unsure what you want, and an enjoyable & casual spot for a midweek date.
The Broad Stage
Be entertained by captivating performances at this intimate venue showcasing various performing arts .
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 434-3200 | Website
Many of the finest shows in Santa Monica are situated at The Broad Stage. With merely 500 places, every member of the viewership is brought in close proximity to performances that celebrate our shared humanity.
The Broad’s sister venue, The Edye, is a 100-seat black box theater that showcases innovative work by less established artists. Both venues are located at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. They offer two of the best options for entertainment in Los Angeles.
Elephante
Experience South Mediterranean flavors with crafted beverages near a beachfront restaurant featuring rooftop views.
📍 Location details | Phone: (424) 320-2384 | Hours: 10 am – 12 am Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 1 am Friday & Saturday, 9 am – 12 am Sunday | 🍽️ Italian | $$ – $$$
Trendy scenesters flock to Elephante, an open-air eatery with an amazing ocean vista. Specializing in light Italian dishes, Elephante delivers a taste of the Mediterranean to the Pacific shoreline.
This is one of the most popular dining establishments in Santa Monica for small groups. If you’re ordering a lot of food, opt for a large circular table near the perspective. Living-room-style configurations with low tables and cushioned chairs are ideal when you’re grabbing a few beverages and appetizers with your closest companions.
🍹 Pro Tip: Exquisite Elephante cocktails pair perfectly with a Santa Monica sunset. Try not to make plans afterward, as the vibe is so enticing you may well want to stick around for dinner and dancing.
Bergamot Station
Explore galleries within an exceptional creative arts complex that also includes a cafe and supper club.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily, Closed Sundays & Mondays
Bergamot Station is tucked away in a tranquil corner of an industrial complex. This arts center offers a relaxed outing that stimulates inventiveness.
Art galleries feature unique works of art that make lovely mementos of Santa Monica for art lovers. Boutiques attached to the showrooms offer a variety of artisan goods.
Bergamot Cafe offers casual breakfast and lunch options. Supper at Birdie G’s birdie club provides excellent evening fare and drinks for pondering your art experiences with others.
Montana Avenue
Escape crowds in this premium Santa Monica shopping area with a laid-back vibe and quality goods.
📍 Location details | Company website
Try checking out Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, which is one of the locals’ favorite activities. Upscale boutiques and markets focus on quality products. Coffee shops and sidewalk cafes serve gourmet food items. A new installation transforms one tree on each block into an illuminated creative work of art.
🌴 Interested in local life? You can find lots of Santa Monica details in my guide to the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
ONYX Rooftop Lounge
Indulge in expertly crafted drinks and small servings at a glamorous rooftop bar downtown Santa Monica, CA.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (310) 394-2791 | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Sunday through Thursday
You’ll find Hotel Shangri-La at the corner of Ocean Ave & Santa Monica Boulevard. It’s one of the finest places to lodge in Los Angeles. To visit Santa Monica with a touch of classic elegance, there’s no preferable place to stay.
You will feel transported back to the golden era while sipping martinis at the ONYX Lounge, a rooftop bar providing a panoramic 360-degree view, including an aerial view of Palisades Park and the Santa Monica Pier.
FAQs About Things to Do in Santa Monica
How do I spend a day in Santa Monica?
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What is Santa Monica most known for?
Santa Monica is most renowned for Santa Monica State Beach and the Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica provides locals and visitors a wealth of attractions and activities to enjoy.
Is Santa Monica worth visiting?
Santa Monica is worth visiting for Santa Monica State Beach alone, and there are many noteworthy attractions within walking distance of the shore.
Is Venice Beach or Santa Monica better?
Santa Monica is better than Venice Beach for families with young children because it has kid-friendly attractions like the Santa Monica Pier. Venice Beach is better than Santa Monica for individual folks or young couples traveling on a budget.
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Thanks for reading my guide to activities to pursue in Santa Monica! Looking to explore additional outstanding destinations you can visit from Santa Monica? Check out my guide to the finest day trips from Los Angeles next!
