Things to Do in Santa Monica California: 15 Great Stops
Planning a beach day in Los Angeles? The best things to do in Santa Monica California combine a famous pier, a wide sandy beach, oceanfront paths, independent shops, public art, and easy places to eat. You can spend a morning riding the Ferris wheel, an afternoon cycling toward Venice, and an evening watching the sun drop over the Pacific.
Santa Monica is compact enough to explore without a car, although a car helps if you want to visit several parts of Los Angeles. This guide covers the classic sights, quieter local spots, family activities, rainy-day options, and practical tips that make your visit easier.
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Best things to do in Santa Monica California
1. Walk the Santa Monica Pier
Start at the Santa Monica Pier, the city’s most recognizable attraction. Walk to the end for views of the coastline, watch anglers fish from the railings, and look for the historic Route 66 End of the Trail sign near the entrance. The pier is free to enter, so you can enjoy it without paying for rides.
Allow extra time if you are visiting with children. Pacific Park has the Pacific Wheel, a small roller coaster, carnival games, and other rides. You can buy individual ride tickets or a wristband. For a quieter stop, visit Heal the Bay Aquarium beneath the pier, where exhibits focus on marine life found in Santa Monica Bay.
Late afternoon works well because the light is softer and the pier becomes livelier. Check operating hours before you go, since rides, aquarium access, and special events can change by season.
2. Spend time on Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica State Beach stretches for several miles along the city. You can swim, play volleyball, read on the sand, or simply walk beside the water. Lifeguard towers and restrooms make the busier sections convenient for families, while the beach north of the pier often feels less crowded.
The Pacific Ocean stays cool even in summer. Check posted signs and current conditions before swimming, and stay near lifeguards if you enter the water. The beach can also feel windy in the afternoon, so pack a light layer even on a warm day.
3. Cycle the Marvin Braude Bike Trail
The paved Marvin Braude Bike Trail, often called The Strand, runs beside the beach. Rent a standard bike, cruiser, or electric bike and ride south toward Venice. The route passes Muscle Beach, volleyball courts, beach homes, and the Venice area, with plenty of places to stop.
Ride at a relaxed pace and watch for pedestrians, runners, skaters, and other cyclists. A trip from the pier to the Venice Beach boardwalk takes roughly 30 minutes each way for many riders, but you should allow more time for photos and stops.
4. See the coast from Palisades Park
Palisades Park sits on the bluff above the beach and gives you some of the clearest public views of the Pacific. A paved path runs beside Ocean Avenue, with benches, lawns, palm trees, and viewpoints looking toward the pier and Malibu.
Go near sunset for warm light over the water, but arrive early if you want a bench. The park is also a good place for a short morning walk when the beach is still quiet. Use marked paths and keep away from the bluff edge.
5. Visit Tongva Park
Tongva Park covers several acres just south of the pier. Its landscaped paths, elevated viewpoints, shaded seating areas, fountains, and children’s play spaces offer a pleasant break from the sand. The park’s design includes native plants and public art, and its hilltop areas provide views toward the ocean.
This is an easy stop to add before lunch downtown. Families may prefer it during the warmer middle part of the day because parts of the park have shade and seating.
6. Shop and eat at the Third Street Promenade
The Third Street Promenade is a pedestrian district with shops, restaurants, cafés, public art, and street performers. It sits a few blocks inland from the pier, so you can combine both areas in one outing.
Visit in the late afternoon, then stay for dinner. The promenade has familiar retail brands, but the surrounding downtown blocks offer more independent restaurants and cafés. Santa Monica Place, at the promenade’s southern end, adds more shops and a food hall-style dining area.
Street activity varies by day and time. If you prefer a calmer shopping experience, go earlier on a weekday.
7. Explore Main Street Santa Monica
Main Street runs through the southern part of Santa Monica and has a more neighborhood-focused feel than the downtown shopping district. Browse clothing stores, design shops, galleries, coffee shops, and casual restaurants. It is also close to the beach, making it easy to combine with a walk or bike ride.
Main Street is a good choice when you want dinner away from the busiest tourist areas. Sunday is especially popular because the nearby farmers market and cafés bring more local activity to the neighborhood.
8. Walk Montana Avenue
Montana Avenue offers another side of Santa Monica. The tree-lined street has boutiques, salons, cafés, bakeries, and restaurants, with fewer large tourist attractions than the areas near the pier.
Start near Ocean Avenue and walk several blocks inland. You will find small shops and places for breakfast or coffee along the way. Montana Avenue works well for a slower morning, especially if you have already visited the main beachfront sights.
9. Browse art at Bergamot Station Arts Center
Bergamot Station is a former railway station that now houses galleries and creative spaces. Gallery schedules vary, but you can usually find contemporary exhibitions, photography, sculpture, and design displays in a compact setting.
Admission is often free, though individual galleries may have different hours. Check the current schedule before visiting. Bergamot Station is near the Expo Line’s Bergamot stop, which makes it practical if you are using public transportation.
10. Visit the Annenberg Community Beach House
The Annenberg Community Beach House occupies the site of a former estate north of the pier. Visitors can use the public pool when it is open, relax near the beach, and see parts of the historic Marion Davies estate. The property also hosts cultural programs and family activities.
Pool access, reservations, and seasonal hours can change. Review the official schedule before you go. This is a useful option when you want a structured beach day with restrooms, showers, and a pool area.
11. See the original Muscle Beach
Santa Monica’s Original Muscle Beach sits south of the pier and has outdoor gym equipment, gymnastics structures, and a long history tied to the city’s fitness culture. You can watch athletes train or use some of the public equipment when space is available.
It is a short walk or bike ride from the pier. Combine it with The Strand and a visit to Venice rather than making it a separate long excursion.
12. Catch a film at the Aero Theatre
The Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue is a historic cinema known for repertory screenings, festivals, filmmaker events, and special presentations. It gives you a strong evening option when you want a break from outdoor sightseeing.
Look at the schedule before your trip because popular screenings can sell out. The theater is close to restaurants and cafés, so you can have dinner on Montana Avenue before a show.
13. Shop at a Santa Monica farmers market
Santa Monica has several farmers markets, with schedules that vary by location and day. The downtown market is convenient if you are staying near the pier, while the Main Street market fits well with a walk through the southern neighborhoods.
Pick up seasonal fruit, baked goods, flowers, or prepared food for a beach picnic. Arrive early for the best selection. Confirm the current location and opening hours before visiting, since market schedules can change.
14. Find Santa Monica’s unusual landmarks
Leave time for a few smaller sights. The Route 66 sign near the pier marks the traditional western endpoint of the historic highway. The Georgian Hotel, a colorful 1930s building near Ocean Avenue, adds a piece of local history to a walk through the downtown area. You can also look for public art and historic buildings around the pier and Main Street.
These stops take little time, so they fit well between larger activities. They also give you more to see if you have already covered the main beach attractions.
15. Take a guided walking tour
A walking tour can help you understand Santa Monica’s development, architecture, beach culture, and Route 66 history. Choose a tour that focuses on downtown, the pier, local history, or architecture based on your interests.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Most tours involve several outdoor stops, and the sun can feel strong even when the air temperature is mild.
How to plan a day in Santa Monica
One-day itinerary
- Morning: Walk the pier, visit Pacific Park or Heal the Bay Aquarium, and continue along the beach.
- Late morning: Explore Tongva Park and stop for lunch near Third Street Promenade.
- Afternoon: Rent a bike and ride south on The Strand toward Venice, or spend more time on the beach.
- Evening: Watch sunset from Palisades Park, then have dinner on Main Street, Montana Avenue, or downtown.
Two-day itinerary
On day one, focus on the pier, beach, Palisades Park, Tongva Park, and downtown. On day two, explore Main Street, the farmers market, Bergamot Station, and Montana Avenue. Add the Annenberg Community Beach House if you want a pool and beach day, or book the Aero Theatre for an evening screening.
Where to stay in Santa Monica
Staying near the pier gives you quick access to the beach, Pacific Park, Palisades Park, and downtown shops. Ocean Avenue has convenient views and a central location, but rooms can cost more. Main Street suits travelers who prefer restaurants and independent shops. Montana Avenue is quieter and more residential.
Compare location, parking fees, resort fees, and cancellation terms before booking. A hotel a few blocks inland may offer better value while keeping you within walking distance of the beach.
Getting around Santa Monica
You can walk between the pier, downtown, Tongva Park, and Palisades Park. Bikes work well for the beach path, although you should expect busy sections near the pier and Venice. The Metro E Line connects Santa Monica with parts of Los Angeles, including Culver City and downtown Los Angeles.
Driving is useful for day trips, but parking costs and traffic can add time. If you rent a car, check whether your hotel charges for overnight parking before you book.
When to visit Santa Monica
Santa Monica has mild weather through much of the year. Summer brings long beach days but can also bring morning marine cloud cover. Spring and fall often offer comfortable temperatures and lighter crowds. Winter can be cool in the evenings, though sunny days are common.
Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, and a light jacket. The coast can feel cooler than inland Los Angeles, especially after sunset.
Practical tips for your visit
- Check attraction hours before heading to the pier, aquarium, or pool.
- Book popular hotel rooms and theater events ahead of time during summer and holiday periods.
- Keep valuables with you at the beach and do not leave bags visible in a parked car.
- Use marked crossings and stay alert on the bike trail, where several types of traffic share the route.
- Allow extra time for parking if you visit on a weekend.
- Bring a refillable water bottle, but remember that nearby restaurants and attractions may have different policies.
Final thoughts on things to do in Santa Monica California
Santa Monica is easy to enjoy at your own pace. Visit the pier for the classic experience, spend time on the beach, ride The Strand, and set aside time for neighborhoods such as Main Street and Montana Avenue. With a little planning around weather, parking, and attraction hours, the best things to do in Santa Monica California fit comfortably into one full day or a relaxed weekend.
If you want to expand your itinerary beyond these iconic American destinations, read our complete guide on the best places to visit in the USA for more curated trip ideas, practical planning tips, and hidden gems across the country.
