Santa Monica, CA

Travel Guide

Santa Monica featuring a city, general coastal views and street scenes
Santa Monica showing general coastal views
Santa Monica
Santa Monica showing 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 kilometers). 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 center. 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 Center. 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-kilometer) 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

Downtown Santa Monica which includes general coastal views and a sunset

Downtown Santa Monica

4.5/5(431 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
#sunset #outdoors

Ocean Park

4.5/5(219 area reviews)

Popular with sunbathers, surfers, and volleyball players, Ocean Park beach offers a beachside path for joggers and bikers, while parks provide playgrounds and picnicking areas. Main Street hosts a weekly farmer's market and features boutiques and restaurants.

Ocean Park
Another great night

Pico

5/5(1 area review)

If you're spending time in Pico, check out sights like Santa Monica Place or Third Street Promenade and hop on the metro to see more the city at 17th Street/SMC Station or 26th Street/Bergamot Station.

Pico
Default Image

Sunset Park

4/5(129 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Sunset Park, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Bergamot Station Arts Center and Main Street Santa Monica.

Sunset Park
Cool spot for great coffee and pastries, near the beach.

Wilshire Montana

While visiting Wilshire Montana, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Monica Beach and Third Street Promenade.

Wilshire Montana
Another great night

Mid-City

4/5(178 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 ¥43,646 per night from Aug 19 to Aug 20
¥43,646
¥59,034 total
Aug 19 - Aug 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,313 reviews)
"It was close to the beach. Place was quiet and clean."

Reviewed on Jul 20, 2025

The Pierside Santa Monica
Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites

Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites

4 out of 5
1707 4th St, Santa Monica, CA
The price is ¥40,350 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
¥40,350
¥47,523 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a free beach shuttle, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,115 reviews)
"Perfect location for walking to dining options and the pier/beaches."

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites
The Huntley Hotel

The Huntley Hotel

4.5 out of 5
1111 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA
The price is ¥51,935 per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
¥51,935
¥66,858 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a free area shuttle, and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,937 reviews)
"Wonderful stay!"

Reviewed on Jul 21, 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.
Best Beach Location in Santa Monica! Our Summer Stretches Through Fall!

Best Beach Location in Santa Monica! Our Summer Stretches Through Fall!

Santa Monica
Book a stay at this family-friendly cottage in Santa Monica. Enjoy laundry facilities, tennis courts, and patios. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (291 reviews)
4th of July Get away
"Great place in a great location for the beach."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Best Beach Location in Santa Monica! Our Summer Stretches Through Fall!
Santa Monica  Garden Beach Bungalow - Private, and Steps from the Sand

Santa Monica Garden Beach Bungalow - Private, and Steps from the Sand

Santa Monica
Stay at this apartment in Santa Monica. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (123 reviews)
Amazing
"Wonderful experience. Hosts did a great job."

Reviewed on Jul 20, 2025

Santa Monica Garden Beach Bungalow - Private, and Steps from the Sand
Santa Monica Beach House

Santa Monica Beach House

Santa Monica
Stay at this vacation home in Santa Monica. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Santa Monica Pier and Santa ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (155 reviews)
Beach house
"House was very nice and the location was really good."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Santa Monica Beach House
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
680
5 - Excellent 52%
4 - Good
522
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
84
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
17
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
5
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Love this city, unfortunately the boardwalk wasn’t open at the time. Hopefully next time it will be.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Bathroom door is heavy ad doesn't stay open. Toilet is very low even for a person like me with no disabilities.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Best trip.. everything with in walking distance. Hopped on BIRD scooters and rode along bikes. The beach was very clean. Nice to see just everyone having a good time.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love Santa Monica--great food and walkable areas. I was there for medical treatment not tourism. It was convenient, safe and clean that was what mattered.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

friendly and felt safe

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

In retrospect this is a fun town to spend a few hours. Wouldn't bother staying here again.

Cities near Santa Monica