Location: Santa Monica
Top Things to do in Santa Monica
Top Restaurants in Santa Monica
What to do and see in Santa Monica, California (CA): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. Pedal or Not... Electric Bicycle - Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 388 reviews
Santa Monica's 1st all electric bicycle guided tour (maximum of 5 riders per guide) along the beach thru the Venice Canals. See sights where tour buses and cars can't take you. Let the electric bikes take you further than you thought you'd go in this 2 1/2 to 3 hour adventure. Pedal...or Not.
2. 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.
3. Museum of Flying
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Originally established in 1974 as the Douglas Museum and Library, the Museum first opened in 1979 at 3200 Airport Avenue. The Museum was founded by Donald Douglas Jr, the second President of the Douglas Aircraft Company. Construction began on the new Museum in early 2010 and the Museum celebrated its grand opening to the public in the new building on February 25, 2012. The Museum collection consists of the many original artifacts related to the Douglas Aircraft Company, a variety of exhibits, aviation art, and features an array of aircraft from a Wright Flyer replica!
4. 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......
5. South Bay Bicycle Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By 660rickd - Jupiter, United States
Could have ridden more and further, but mainly rode our rentals from Annenburg House down to Venice Pier and back. Stopped for lunch, stopped to watch the Skaters at the Skate park too. Well maintained, easy to see directional markings so walkers, skateboarders and scooters know all where to be and who gets right of way. Never saw an accident, although gotta watch out for little kids o occasion darting out in front of you in their hurry to get to the swing set or the beach lol. You may also need to occasionally watch out for the serious bikers on the trail, the ones who like to really cruise past you expecting you to move out of their way. Also prepare yourself for some second hand MJ smoke. Ran through a few clouds of it, and while it doesnt bother me at all, ;), it may bother some. Next tiem I plan on heading down to marina Del Rey and up to Malibu.
6. Bergamot Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
A mecca for artists and art lovers, this warehouse complex features numerous art galleries, unusual shops and the Santa Monica Museum of Art.
Reviewed By jacquelinerose5
We try to visit Bergamot whenever we are in town. The galleries always have good things to see, and sometimes they are wonderful. This time, several of the galleries were participating in Pacific Standard Time. There are some excellent photography galleries. Free and easy parking. You need to spend 2-3 hours if you want to see all the galleries. Go and enjoy.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
