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 Penmar Golf Course and Bergamot Station Arts Center.

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 Montana Avenue.

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 Huntley Hotel
The Huntley Hotel
4.5 out of 5
1111 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA
The price is NT$7,293 per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
NT$7,293
NT$9,798 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
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! (1,850 reviews)
"WiFi was very slow"

Reviewed on 2025/6/18

The Huntley Hotel
Ocean Park Hotel
Ocean Park Hotel
2.5 out of 5
2680 32nd Street, Santa Monica, CA
Stay at this hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (669 reviews)
"good"

Reviewed on 2025/6/15

Ocean Park Hotel
Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
4 out of 5
6225 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
The price is NT$4,691 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
NT$4,691
NT$5,451 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,845 reviews)
"This property is great for"

Reviewed on 2025/6/18

Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
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 WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (653 reviews)
"It's not a great area surrounding the hotel but we never felt scared or unsafe. The room we got was amazing. Spacious, lots of beds to use, all the appliances we needed, full fridge, lots of seating. Would love to stay here again. Didn't mind the parking across the street. It's not far. $25/night. ..."

Reviewed on 2025/6/18

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Fenix Hotel Hollywood
Fenix Hotel Hollywood
4 out of 5
7070 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Hollywood Boulevard and Hollywood ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (131 reviews)
"On a cross-country road trip so we came in very late at night. The staff was directly communicating with me about check in/ parking, even at 1:00 am. Very clean room and fun place to stay!!"

Reviewed on 2025/6/15

Fenix Hotel Hollywood
Gilmore One
Gilmore One
4 out of 5
14839 Gilmore St, A, Van Nuys, CA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Van Nuys. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Sherman ...
9/10 Wonderful! (46 reviews)
"The Gilmore is a Queen space that feels like a cottage or a small home. It’s definitely a good place to stay if you are on a budget and want somewhere that’s clean.. they could improve on accessibility and keeping the common area more organized and clean."

Reviewed on 2025/6/16

Gilmore One
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

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