Santa Monica sits at the edge of Los Angeles like a slightly cooler, saltier version of the city it belongs to. It has the beach, the weather, the food, and the kind of vibe that makes you check Zillow prices even when you know you can’t afford it.
Here’s what to actually do when you’re here.
1. Walk the Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is genuinely one of the most iconic spots in California – and yes, it lives up to the hype.
Pacific Park sits right on the pier with a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and ocean views that make every photo look effortless. Go at sunset. You’ll thank yourself later. The crowds are worth it, barely.
2. Spend a Day at Venice Beach
Venice Beach is Santa Monica’s chaotic, tattooed younger sibling, and it’s exactly as entertaining as you’d expect.
Muscle Beach, street performers, skaters at the famous skate park, art murals, and one of the most entertaining boardwalks on the planet. It’s a whole scene. Just hold onto your sunglasses.
3. Try Surfing (or Watch People Who Can)
The waves near Santa Monica and up toward Malibu are some of the most beginner-friendly in Southern California. Surf lessons are everywhere and most of them will actually get you standing up by the end of hour one.
Not feeling it? Park yourself on the sand at Zuma Beach and watch the locals instead. Either way you’re winning.
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4. Rent a Bike on the Beach Path
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail runs 22 miles along the coast from Pacific Palisades all the way down to Torrance. You don’t have to do all of it – but the stretch from Santa Monica to Venice and back is perfect.
Bike rentals are available right near the pier. An e-bike makes the whole thing ridiculously easy and twice as fun.
5. Watch the Sunset from Palisades Park
Palisades Park sits on the cliffs above Pacific Coast Highway with unobstructed views of the ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains. It’s free, it’s walkable, and the sunsets are stupid gorgeous.
Locals come here after work to decompress. Join them. Bring a coffee. Do absolutely nothing productive for 45 minutes. It’s one of the better decisions you’ll make all trip.
6. Eat Your Way Through the Food Scene
Santa Monica’s food scene is seriously underrated. The farmers market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at Arizona Ave is one of the best in California – half the best restaurants in LA source from it.
For restaurants: Rustic Canyon for California cuisine, Bay Cities Deli for a legendary Italian sub, Gjusta for the best pastries you’ll have this year. Don’t skip the deli.
7. Wander Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney in Venice is a mile-long stretch of boutiques, galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants that somehow manages to be both impossibly trendy and actually enjoyable.
It was named “the coolest block in America” by GQ back in the day and honestly it’s still kind of earned that. First Fridays turns the street into a block party. Very much worth timing your trip around.
8. Find a Rooftop or Outdoor Bar at Night
Santa Monica’s nightlife isn’t Vegas loud – it’s California chill, which is honestly better. Rooftop bars at hotels like the Shangri-La or Viceroy have ocean views and cocktails that cost what you’d expect them to cost in Los Angeles.
For a more laid-back vibe, the string-light patios around Main Street and Montana Ave are where locals actually go. Pick a spot, order something cold, and accept the fact that you live here now temporarily.
Santa Monica isn’t trying to impress you. It doesn’t have to. It’s already the best beach town in America and it knows it. Just show up and let it do its thing.
