Location: Santa Monica
Top Things to do in Santa Monica
Top Restaurants in Santa Monica
Top 10 Things to do in Santa Monica, California (CA)
The beaches of Santa Monica attract all sorts of visitors-- don't be surprised to see families playing on the sand next to a boot-camp fitness class with a barking instructor. Visit the Santa Monica Pier, a haven of shops, restaurants, and carnival attractions (including a Ferris wheel) atop a wooden wharf. By night, the Third Street Promenade is the place to be, bustling with activity from moviegoers, party animals, and talented street performers.
Restaurants in Santa Monica
1. Third Street Promenade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,098 reviews
A moviegoer's haven, this colorful three-block stretch, open to pedestrians only, has some 20 movie theater screens, hundreds of stores, numerous restaurants, animal topiaries and street entertainment running the gamut from dancers to fortune tellers.
Reviewed By LisaJeyDavis - Santa Monica, United States
If you’re hunting for something specific to shop for, you’re looking for a great meal, want to see a movie, or just want to kill sometime and enjoy some great people watching, the Third Street Promenade has something for everyone. And it begins right at the mouth of the Santa Monica Place Mall (so if you don’t find what you need on the Promenade’s three blocks,you’ve got tons of great options there). There are two movie theatres with multiple screens, sports bars, all kinds of restaurants, a huge Apple store and all kinds of retail / from local boutiques to national brands. And the street entertainers are something else all together. Plus there are plenty of parking garages surrounding the place with 90 minute free and affordable parking. I love the Promenade.
2. Palisades Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 560 reviews
This lush, 25-acre park overlooking the Pacific is a wonderful place for walkers, bikers and people watchers, and connects with the broad Santa Monica beach made famous in TV's "Baywatch" episodes.
Reviewed By airbrush1212 - Santa Monica, United States
The bluffs are a lovely, charming walk thru palm trees and up above the Pacific Coast Highway with a gorgeous view of the ocean. You can picnic, exercise, read a book, walk a dog......
3. Ocean Avenue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 691 reviews
Reviewed By ghk1857
Stroll along the Pacific Palisades and gaze at the open top convertible automobiles as they drive past. Or better still, drive your own car along one of the most iconic roads in the world.
4. 26-Mile Bike Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,463 reviews
Starting at the Santa Monica pier, this is a popular path for biking, jogging and in-line skating along the Pacific Ocean.
Reviewed By eddiepix - Beaverton, United States
My girlfriend and I have ridden this path from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach many times...it's beautiful and exciting and along with the great proximity to the ocean, you will see some of the world's most interesting people along the way.
5. Santa Monica State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,705 reviews
Reviewed By morrisjkm - Ann Arbor, United States
Fantastic huge beach on the Pacific Ocean with the famous Santa Monica Pier, endless volleyball nets, bike path, Muscle Beach, eateries, sunshine with epic sunsets. Maintained daily by large tractor which sifts white sandy beach.
6. Santa Monica Mountains
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
Part of the National Recreation Area.
Reviewed By BeachStone2C - Helsinki, Finland
It is amazing how you quickly one can leave busy and noisy LA behind - and getting into Santa Monica Mountains is one of those ways. Variety of different level of hikes, most of them offering great views to the Pacific Ocean. Parking is usually not a problem at all. Highly recommended.
7. Santa Monica Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,342 reviews
Santa Monica Bay consists of 50 miles of scenic coastline with 22 separate public beaches, providing recreational opportunities to visitors year round.
Reviewed By 404christiner404
A great day out at the beach ,walk along the pier and take a ride on the big wheel if you are up to a long walk you can walk to venice beach and get a spot of lunch .
8. Santa Monica Pier
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 18,920 reviews
This bustling wooden wharf is the place to be, with its eateries, shops, high-tech arcade, roller coaster, giant Ferris wheel and other rides, famous 1922 indoor merry-go-round and fantastic views of the bay and the mountains.
Reviewed By jacqquel - Buenos Aires, Argentina
lovely place, my fav in LA. close to Expo Line Metro. cool musicians, tasty restaurants, beautiful views of the pacific ocean, fun attractions at Pacific Park right next to the pier, souvenir shops as well. would spent hours and hours there !! would recommend you to go to 3rd st promenade afterwards :)
9. Santa Monica Place
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 324 reviews
Urban. Beach Chic. This is Santa Monica Place. A LEED Gold certified shopping and dining retail resort destination. Designed to reflect the trend-setting fashion appeal of Santa Monica, this one-of-a-kind world-famous city by the beach serves up gorgeous ocean views, fabulous fashion, and perfect dining inside & out offering the very best of Southern California cool. Santa Monica Place is a sophisticated, must-visit destination delivering three levels of exciting retail and dining. From Nordstrom to an innovative Bloomingdale's concept store and an array of the city's best shops - Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Emporio Armani, Burberry Brit, Barneys New York, Tory Burch, Kitson, Nike, kate spade new york, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Ted Baker London, AllSaints Spitalfields, 7 For All Mankind, Le SportSac, Coach, True Religion, Diane von Furstenberg, Uniqlo, Kooples and more - Santa Monica Place is the epicenter of relaxed, celebrity-inspired style.
Reviewed By zsoltc260
Great place to stroll, wash your feet in the ocean, enjoy the beautiful sunset and have an icecream or cocktail in the bars on the sandy beach.
10. Pacific Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,029 reviews
Located on the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park® is the family place to play! Featuring 12 thrilling rides, including the West Coaster and Pacific Wheel, the world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel. Millions of visitors each year enjoy all the rides, games and fun you’d expect from one of Southern California’s leading entertainment destinations. Pacific Park® has it all… a dozen rides, midway games, ocean-front specialty food outlets, and seaside shopping.
Reviewed By ghk1857
All the fairground attractions that you could want, but under the Southern Californian sun. Loads of souvenirs and t-shirts for sale as well. Good range of fast food available too. Great atmosphere.
