Location: Santa Monica
Top Things to do in Santa Monica
Top Restaurants in Santa Monica
Top 10 Things to do in Santa Monica, United States
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. Santa Monica Pier
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 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 Rose R - Preston, United Kingdom
Visited Santa Monica recently the pier was a must very vibrant full of interesting stalls musicians and planes to eat. It's old with wooden wallkboards giant Ferris wheels rides for the kids and something for everyone and it's free to go
2. The Getty Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Spectacular museum boasts a most impressive collection by such luminaries as Van Gogh, Monet and Cezanne, along with the architectural triumph of its six buildings and gardens.
Reviewed By dod2015 - Los Angeles, California
In addition to an excellent collection of artworks , the museum is also an architectural wonder. The garden and the panoramic view are breath taking. Check the calendar for free admission days and education related events for kids. Best to book tickets in advance. One can easily spend an entire day roaming the facility and enjoy every moment of it.
3. 26-Mile Bike Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 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 rsulliva - Calgary
Riding the beachside bike path is wonderful and infuriating. You got pedestrians who walk 5-abreast, people who wobble frantically all over the place and think it's funny, families who put young children on bikes and think we can see them when they suddenly dart over the yellow line. We witnessed a child get badly hurt when they just jumped out onto the path in front of a cyclist under a bridge. There was no way the cyclist could have stopped in time. If you're one of those people who thinks the rules of bike safety don't apply to you - do everyone a favour and stay off the bike path.
4. South Bay Bicycle Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By SenorGancho - Winnipeg, Canada
You have to give credit where credit is due. The bike road system along the entire LA western waterfront is a wonder of the country. One can go all the way to Redondo if desired. It has rest stops with washrooms all along, is wonderfully maintained and is a cyclists dream.
5. Santa Monica Mountains
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Part of the National Recreation Area.
Reviewed By Zoom_Gotti - Henderson, Nevada
First of all, this is L.A., not Yosemite, so keep your expectations mild. You'll get ocean views from this hike, but also lots of homes, and urban smogscapes. This trail is far gentler on the up slope than its companion ridge trail. And it passes a seasonal waterfall. Your best access is off of Sunset and Temescal Canyon but, if you are driving in, bypass the first two lefts and head for the back parking. Also, be aware that you are expected to pay a $10 fee. If you start here, rather than at the first lots, you'll be able to follow the signage and not wander off on one of the many spur trails. Like I said, the trail is only of moderate stress, but the views don't open until you're nearly to the ridge. Once there you can hike a much longer distance up top. At least get to Skull Rock and, perhaps, farther. Maybe try a spur to a higher ridge line. There is a back way down, but you'll be miles away from your parking. So I advise returning back to the ridge junction and hike down the ridge trail. Here, the views are continual and you probably won't be much impacted on the downhill trek; though the people hiking up this way most probably will. By the way, I didn't drive here. Both the # 2 Metro and 9 Big Blue buses stop in front of the parking.
6. Annenberg Community Beach House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
The Beach House is a unique community destination, open to all, no membership required! With spectacular views, splash pad, playground, gallery, Marion Davies Guest House, beach courts & fields, community & cultural events, seasonal pool, classes for children and adults, free wi-fi, and more, there's something for everyone to enjoy! The Beach House grounds are open daily, including the playground, splash pad, beach area, courtyard, view deck, and volleyball courts. The site upon which the Beach House now sits was originally developed during the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies. The Davies estate, designed by architect Julia Morgan, featured a mansion of 100-plus rooms, three guest houses and an ornate marble swimming pool. Learn more about the Beach House history on a tour of the last remaining Guest House with a Santa Monica Conservancy docent. Classes for adults include yoga, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Beach Volleyball, and Synchronized Swimming. Children can to learn to swim, play beach volleyball, and beach soccer! Our historic pool is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, during the summer pool season, and requires an admission fee. Between October and May the pool is closed. We will occasionally open the pool on warm weather weekends or holidays.
Reviewed By Trave2leverywhere - Raleigh, North Carolina
No matter how you enjoy the beach, they have it all. There's a pool, restaurant, wonderfully maintained walkways to the beach, nice changing facilities, equipment rentals, etc. The beach itself is a very deep, level and clean. It's one of the nicest beaches we've ever been to. We will return here over and over!
7. Ocean Avenue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 601 reviews
Reviewed By dsj5777 - GREEN BAY
We walked along Ocean Avenue which is lined on one side with businesses and restaurants and on the other by Palisades Park. The park has lots of a great views of the ocean and Santa Monica Pier as well as beautiful trees and flowering plants. Yes, there are homeless in spots but no one bothered us and the area was kept very clean. Usually some street performers near the road down to the pier.
8. Santa Monica State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Kayla G
The Beach is not a bad place, it's full of great apparatuses, sandy beach, and public showers. Although I would recommend if planning to swim into the ocean to go somewhere farther than the Santa Monica Pier, considering all the waste thrown down into that part of the ocean.
9. Tongva Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By nyccali2907 - New York City, New York
Brian, a Downtown Ambassador was working in the park the evening we were there and he was super informative and thoughtful about the questions I asked him. What he told us about the park, the art, the history really made the experience much more interesting. It also reassured me to see him there since there is a rather testy homeless population in the entire area, not just the park, but as a woman I would not walk around inside the park alone after dark, and I am a New Yorker!
10. Third Street Promenade
Reviewed By KevinsGirls - Edison, New Jersey
This area is extremely popular. However I found it to be lacking in character and charm. The stores are mostly corporate chains and retailers. If you live in this area I’m sure you would enjoy shopping here in place of those antiquated indoor malls. As a traveler I didn’t find this place to be especially interesting. How about letting small businesses and unique shops flourish here, or perhaps those days are long gone. I hope not!
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