Santa Monica is the top seaside destination for Los Angeles and the surrounding Los Angeles County. It’s a beautiful city with consistently sunny weather and a sprawling beach. Thanks to its location, less than 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles, the city receives more than seven million visitors every year.
There’s an undeniable excitement buzzing from Santa Monica. It has energy spurred by the lapping waves of its western border, and a visceral excitement from the pedestrian-friendly downtown district, buzzing with activity well into the night. Its nautical spirit is best experienced at Palisades Park, perched atop a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica State Beach.
And no visit is complete without walking down the Santa Monica Pier, which also serves as the seaside terminus of Historic Route 66. This tourist-friendly boardwalk defines many Southern California vacations, complete with amusement park rides and miles-long views across the ocean.
Pack your bags and start planning your next Southern California vacation with the best places to visit and things to do in Santa Monica.
1. Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is a classic landmark of the city and the seaside terminus of historic Route 66. It’s surrounded on both sides by Santa Monica State Beach and this family- and dog-friendly pier is filled with fun things to do and plenty of people to watch.
Pacific Park on the pier is perhaps the most eye-catching attraction, thanks to its iconic Ferris wheel and roller coaster jutting high above the boardwalk. The Ferris wheel is especially noticeable at night, when the ride illuminates the pier from a distance. This ocean amusement park also features the popular Playland Arcade, adding a bit of nostalgia to this central beach attraction.
Other attractions on the pier include bike rentals, beach and souvenir shops, as well as the Heal the Bay Aquarium hidden beneath the carousel building. Much of the experience of visiting the pier is simply strolling the length and appreciating the ocean views and people watching, including numerous musicians playing on the boardwalk.
Of all the special events that take place on the pier, the Twilight on the Pier music festival is one of the biggest, with live world music from across the globe. This celebrated concert series occurs in the evenings throughout the summer.
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California
2. Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica State Beach spans over 3.5 miles on either side of the iconic Santa Monica Pier. It’s one of the top beaches in the Los Angeles area, less than 15 miles from Hollywood, attracting millions of beachgoers to spread their towels out on the sand each year.
The Santa Monica Pier bisects the beach into Santa Monica State Beach North and Santa Monica State Beach South. Both sides of the beach have different access points, but each caters to activities like building sandcastles, surfing, and soaking up the sun.
Fun places to visit at Santa Monica State Beach South include the International Chess Park and Carousel Park. The Original Muscle Beach is also south of the pier, featuring a wide range of fitness equipment, including gymnastic rings. Santa Monica State Beach also has easier beachfront parking.
North of the pier, facilities like the Annenberg Community Beach House provides inclusive beach amenities, including volleyball courts, beach seats, and a swimming pool. Santa Monica State Beach north is only accessible by descending from Palisades Park over the Pacific Coast Highway via the Pier or pedestrian bridge.
Address: Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, California
3. Marvin Braude Bike Trail
The 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as The Strand, spans the entirety of the Santa Monica shoreline. It stretches from Will Rogers State Beach north of Santa Monica all the way down to Torrance County Beach. And navigating this sandy expanse is one of the most popular things to do when visiting.
The path is popular for bicyclists, walkers, runners, rollerbladers, and anyone getting around without a motor. The trail is split between a walking and biking path along busier sections of the trail, including the Santa Monica waterfront. And as the most-used pedestrian path in the city, the trail certainly gets some use.
The real appeal of the Marvin Braude Bike Path is its length. The 22-mile route connects every beach within Santa Monica Bay, enabling nearly every ocean activity under the sun, as well as bonfire destinations for the evening. Whether looking for the best waves, the most solitude, or any number of beach volleyball courts, The Strand connects them all.
4. Palisades Park
Tourists and residents tend to gravitate toward Palisades Park. This 26-acre coastal bluff park on Ocean Avenue overlooks the Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica State Beach and provides a well-manicured space with non-stop ocean vistas.
Palm trees, rose bushes, and plenty of places to take a seat line the cement path navigating this landmark city space, as well as pedestrian bridges that cross the highway and access the ocean. Palisades Park is also home to unique amenities like a camera obscura, pétanque courts, and public art installations.
Palisades Park is also a connecting point for several other attractions in the area, including the Santa Monica Pier. And on Ocean Avenue and farther inland, the lively streets of Downtown Santa Monica and the 3rd Street Promenade compliment the ocean activity.
While all vistas from Palisades Park catch the eye, the aptly named Inspiration Point on the north side of the park is worth the walk.
Address: Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California
5. 3rd Street Promenade
The heart of downtown Santa Monica is the 3rd Street Promenade. This pedestrian-only shopping space features a lot of foot traffic and tons of entertainment. Shops, restaurants, and talented street musicians line every block well into the night when this lighted area really shines. But whether day or night, something is bound to catch the eye on this fashionable retail strip.
Alongside the shopping, dining, and entertainment options like a movie theater and Augmented Reality Museum, the promenade is also home to beautiful landscaping. Dinosaur hedge sculptures, photo booths, and various sitting options define the aesthetic of this downtown district.
Address: 1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, California
6. Dining in Santa Monica
Part of the Santa Monica experience is enjoying a meal out on the town. The city’s food scene is wide and varied and highly lauded. From downtown digs to oceanfront views, it’s easy to find something for everyone’s taste.
A few notable favorites include Forma for Italian food and Tar & Roses for unique menu items like oxtail dumplings. And just about every taste is catered for — Japanese, Caribbean, and Polish cuisine are among the wide range of world flavors.
7. Venice Beach
Venice Beach is the southern city bordering Santa Monica, connected by the Marvin Braude Bike Path, also known as The Strand Beach Path. Venice offers its own distinct flavor of coastal appeal that’s a bit more bohemian in spirit. The oceanfront district is well regarded for the art found on the streets and the style represented by the community.
The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a common tourist magnet of scenic appeal. Waves of people walk this tourist path bordering the beach, and several unique storefronts and sidewalk vendors line the boardwalk. A visit isn’t complete without strolling down this Ocean Front Walk and getting a taste of the flavor and atmosphere of this creative seaside city.
The bike path at Venice Beach winds and weaves throughout many sandy attractions. Public art and tasteful graffiti surround this bike path, as do other amenities, like playground equipment and basketball courts.
8. Annenberg Community Beach House
North of the Santa Monica Pier and stemming from the city’s Gold Coast era of the 1920s, Annenberg Community Beach House was once a private beachside mansion belonging to the actress Marion Davies.
The state of California now operates this oceanfront cultural center, including amenities like beach courts, playgrounds, and a splash pad, as well as a seasonal swimming pool. The on-site Marion Davies Guest House features free tours and rotating art exhibits.
Address: 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, California
9. Santa Monica Farmers Market
Santa Monica offers four different farmers’ markets throughout the week, rain or shine. Two different markets take place on Saturdays, and two others take place on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.
These acclaimed farmers’ markets have been a treasured city tradition since 1979. Alongside seasonal local produce, the farmer’s markets also include special events like live cooking demonstrations, street musicians, and hot-cooked fares that add a savory aroma to the whole experience.
10. Tongva Park
Gardens, sculptures, and the smell of the ocean infuse Tongva Park, encompassing six acres off Ocean Avenue, south of the Santa Monica Pier. It’s inviting for a relaxing moment, taking a break from downtown and is a great spot to enjoy an afternoon picnic away from the crowds at the beach.
Adjacent to Tongva Park, the newly instated Ken Genser Square adds an extra acre of natural space to explore with a fountain and babbling brook.
Address: 1615 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California
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