Santa Monica, CA

Travel Guide
Santa Monica featuring a city, general coastal views and street scenes
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

Santa Monica featuring tropical scenes and general coastal views

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)

A noteworthy feature of Ocean Park is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Venice Beach and Santa Monica Beach.

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

North of Wilshire

4.5/5(96 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in North of Wilshire, Santa Monica Beach and Third Street Promenade are top sights worth seeing.

North of Wilshire
"Love isn't complicated, people are."

North of Montana

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in North of Montana, Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area are top sights worth seeing.

North of Montana
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
Gateway Hotel Santa Monica
Gateway Hotel Santa Monica
3.5 out of 5
1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
The price is NT$6,541 per night from Mar 25 to Mar 26
NT$6,541
per night
Mar 25 - Mar 26
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,533 reviews)
"elevator service slow and congested,spillon outside needs to be cleaned"

Reviewed on 2024/3/11

Gateway Hotel Santa Monica
The Huntley Hotel
The Huntley Hotel
4.5 out of 5
1111 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$8,890 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$8,890
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy breakfast, WiFi, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,137 reviews)
"Great staff and excellent penthouse dining!"

Reviewed on 2024/3/15

The Huntley Hotel
Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites
Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites
4 out of 5
1707 4th St, Santa Monica, CA
The price is NT$8,603 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
NT$8,603
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Santa Monica. Enjoy breakfast, WiFi, and a free beach shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"El servicio es excelente, hay que caminar varias cuadras para llegar a Promanade de Santa Mónica. Y el pago del estacionamiento es caro."

Reviewed on 2024/3/17

Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (243 reviews)
"Everything you need from comfy bed to kitchen. Great location for venues around."

Reviewed on 2024/3/16

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
3.5 out of 5
900 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the convenient parking and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (109 reviews)
"Enough space for a long stay, well thought and everything you need."

Reviewed on 2024/3/2

GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
Venice Breeze Suites
Venice Breeze Suites
3.5 out of 5
2 Breeze Avenue, Venice, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,485 reviews)
"friendly staff"

Reviewed on 2024/3/16

Venice Breeze Suites
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 51.98776758409786%
4 - Good
522
" "4 - Good 39.908256880733944%
3 - Okay
84
" "3 - Okay 6.422018348623853%
2 - Disappointing
17
" "2 - Disappointing 1.2996941896024465%
1 - Terrible
5
" "1 - Terrible 0.382262996941896%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 26, 2020

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
May 26, 2020

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
May 23, 2020

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
Apr 8, 2020

friendly and felt safe

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
Mar 26, 2020

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

Cities near Santa Monica