Most visitors don’t know Santa Monica’s pier was originally a real estate draw, not just funfair nostalgia. You’ll find sun-drenched beaches, a historic carousel, and a walkable downtown filled with shops and cafés that fit every mood. This guide gives a practical seven-day plan, local favorites, transit tips, and hidden spots to help you make the most of each day—so you can skip tourist traps and actually enjoy the city.
Best Things to Do in Santa Monica
Looking for things to do in Santa Monica? You’ll find freedom in motion here: stroll the sunlit pier, feel cotton-candy air around Pacific Park, and ride the solar-powered Pacific Wheel for ocean views that reset your perspective. Wander to the Wednesday Farmers Market, the West Coast’s largest organic market, where top chefs and locals pick produce that fuels body and soul. Browse the Third Street Promenade’s 200+ shops and restaurants; it’s a pedestrian haven where you can shop, eat, and people-watch on your own terms. Seek out over 170 street art murals on self-guided walking tours — each wall’s color and message encourages expression and curiosity. With a walkability score of 84, you’ll move easily between beaches, markets, galleries, and cafés without losing momentum. Santa Monica lets you reclaim time: choose a slow morning by the shore, an energetic afternoon of exploring, or an impromptu evening performance on the pier — you set the pace.
Seven-Day Itinerary: Day-by-Day Plan
When you unpack your bags, set your shoes by the door and get ready: this seven-day Santa Monica itinerary balances beach time, culture, and memorable meals so you can feel the city’s rhythm without rushing. Day One lets you claim the Pier — ride the Pacific Wheel for panoramic views, stroll arcade-lined boardwalks and hop on a bike tour along Ocean Avenue to loosen up and orient yourself. Day Two centers on sunrise beach yoga, a retail wander through Third Street Promenade and an evening treat of famous soup dumplings. Day Three is for curiosity: follow walking tours that reveal Santa Monica’s architectural layers and hunt colorful street art among more than 170 murals. Midweek you’ll mix relaxed sun sessions with gallery visits and people-watching at local cafés. As the week closes, explore farmers’ markets, savor a Malibu wine tasting and watch the sun dip during a sunset meal at Élephante, sealing the trip with coastal calm and intentional joy.
Where to Eat: Local Dining Highlights
You’ll find fresh seafood classics right on the pier at The Albright, where oysters, crab, and playful Popeye artwork make for a lively meal. For casual local favorites, grab hot soup dumplings with an ocean view at Din Tai Fung or fish and chips and afternoon tea on the terrace at Ye Olde King’s Head. If you’re after chefs’ takes on California cooking, Socalo and Josiah Citrin’s spots offer approachable to upscale twists on local flavors.
Fresh Seafood Spots
One of Santa Monica’s strengths is its coastline-to-table seafood scene, where pier-side clam shacks, cozy pubs, and market stalls serve the ocean’s freshest offerings with sweeping water views. You can grab a lively, art-filled meal at The Albright on the pier, savoring diverse catches as waves roll by. For a refined, locally sourced pairing, Wally’s Wine and Spirits lets you match seasonal seafood with bold wines. If you want Asian coastal flair, Din Tai Fung brings its famed soup dumplings with an ocean backdrop. For a comforting, no-frills British take, Ye Olde King’s Head dishes classic fish and chips in a pub atmosphere. Don’t miss Wednesday’s Downtown Farmers Market for vendors selling the day’s fresh catch — freedom tastes best when it’s fresh.
Casual Local Favorites
Looking for relaxed, reliably delicious meals after a beach day? You’ll find places that free you from fuss while honoring flavor and conscience. Din Tai Fung pairs famous soup dumplings with an ocean view — ideal for a lazy lunch. The Albright on the Pier serves vibrant seafood with playful Popeye décor; it feels unabashedly fun. Ye Olde King’s Head offers comforting British staples and a charming afternoon tea midweek. Rustic Canyon focuses on seasonal, locally sourced California dishes in a cozy setting. Socalo—by chefs Milliken and Feniger—delivers fresh Mexican flavors with a zero foodprint ethos for mindful diners.
| Spot | Vibe | Must-try |
|---|---|---|
| Din Tai Fung | Breezy harbor | Soup dumplings |
| The Albright | Playful pier | Shellfish platter |
| Socalo | Conscious fiesta | Seasonal tacos |
Neighborhood Guides and Hidden Gems
Explore Santa Monica’s neighborhoods by following your appetite to local eats and cafés where neighborhood charm shapes every menu. Take self-guided street art walks to spot vibrant murals and tucked-away installations that tell the city’s creative story. Wander hidden shopping streets and boutique-lined avenues for unique finds, from vintage treasures at the airport market to upscale pieces on Montana Avenue.
Local Eats & Cafés
Hungry for authentic flavors and neighborhood charm, you’ll find Santa Monica’s Local Eats & Cafés scene mixing inventive, locally sourced cuisine with cozy, off-the-beaten-path spots. Wander to Xuntos, Seline, or Rustic Canyon for dishes that celebrate farmers’ produce and bold flavor profiles — chefs here pivot with the seasons, so you’ll taste immediacy. Hit the Wednesday Downtown Farmers Market, the West Coast’s largest organic market, to buy fresh ingredients or snack like a local among top chefs. For a relaxed morning, Café Bolivar brews exceptional coffee and sets a deliberate, freeing tone for your day. When you crave comforting precision, Din Tai Fung’s soup dumplings pair perfectly with ocean views. On the pier, The Albright serves seafood with playful Popeye décor for a spirited lunch.
Street Art Walks
After a morning of coffee and market bites, take to Santa Monica’s streets to find more flavor—this time painted on brick, stucco, and alleyways. You’ll discover over 170 murals that turn sidewalks into an open-air gallery, each piece pulsing with color and message. Follow alleys off Main Street, wander the Third Street Promenade, and scout installations near the Pier to see varied styles and bold social themes that shape the city’s creative identity. Grab the digital guide from Santa Monica Travel & Tourism to learn artists’ stories and context as you move. Combine your walk with café stops and independent boutiques to support local makers. This route frees you to engage, reflect, and claim your own connection to place and community.
Hidden Shopping Streets
If you’re looking for shopping that feels personal rather than touristy, Santa Monica’s hidden streets deliver—stroll Montana Avenue for quiet, upscale boutiques and specialty cosmetic shops; wander Main Street for vintage finds and artisan stores; and duck into Ocean Park for cozy cafés and locally made goods. You’ll escape crowds, connect with creators, and reclaim time for discovery.
- Montana Avenue — over 150 curated boutiques and high-end cosmetic stores, calm and refined.
- Main Street — eclectic vintage, artisan shops, perfect for unique treasure hunting.
- Ocean Park — intimate cafes and local makers, authentically Santa Monica.
- Abbot Kinney (nearby) — artisanal studios, trendy cafés, public art for inspiration.
Choose whichever street calls you and shop like you own the afternoon.
Outdoor Activities and Beach Essentials
Whether you’re craving a leisurely ride or a sunrise stretch, Santa Monica’s outdoors deliver: you’ll pedal along over 120 miles of bike paths, breathe salt air on the Marvin Braude Beach Bike Path (The Strand), and roll past endless ocean views that free your pace and spirit. Join Beach Yoga SoCal for a sandside session that grounds you at dawn, then head to the Annenberg Community Beach House for a splash, play, or quiet sunbathe with family-friendly facilities.
| Activity | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Cycling | The Strand links Santa Monica to Torrance with scenic ocean vistas |
| Yoga | Beach Yoga SoCal offers rejuvenating classes right on the sand |
| Family fun | Annenberg Beach House: pool, playground, and beach access |
Seek fresh, healthy bites at nearby farmers markets to fuel long days outdoors. You’ll leave lighter, steadier, and more unbound — ready to explore on your own terms.
Markets, Shopping, and Nightlife
While you’re exploring Santa Monica’s sunlit streets, don’t miss the bustling markets, boutique-lined avenues, and lively after-dark spots that give the city its unmistakable pulse. You’ll find freedom in wandering the Wednesday Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market (8 a.m.–1 p.m. on Arizona Avenue), the largest organic market on the West Coast, where produce and artisan goods spark fresh ideas. The Third Street Promenade pulses with over 200 shops and restaurants, street musicians, and an open, pedestrian-friendly vibe. Montana Avenue lets you stroll under trees past 150+ retailers—home boutiques and luxe cosmetics invite you to curate your own style. After sunset, Santa Monica loosens up: craft-beer havens and inventive kitchens set a casual, electric tone. Consider these signature stops:
- Wednesday Downtown Farmers Market — organic, vibrant, inspiring
- Third Street Promenade — shopping, street performance, energy
- Montana Avenue — boutique browsing, scenic strolling
- Nightlife highlights — Father’s Office for craft beer; Élephante for rooftop sunsets and coastal Italian bites
Embrace it—shop, sip, and savor on your terms.
Getting Around: Transit, Parking, and Practical Tips
After you’ve shopped, sipped, and watched the sunset from a rooftop, getting around Santa Monica is invigoratingly straightforward. With a Walkability Score of 84, you can wander Downtown and Third Street Promenade on foot, soaking up shops, street performers, and ocean breezes. When distances stretch, hop the LA Metro or Big Blue Bus to expand your range without losing freedom — use the NextBus app for real-time arrivals so you’re never waiting aimlessly.
If you drive, expect pay garages Downtown; other neighborhoods depend on street parking that fills up fast near the beach. Plan for peak times and have a backup spot in mind. For slick, liberated mobility, grab complimentary hotel bikes or rentals from the Santa Monica Bike Center and cruise dedicated bike paths along the coast. These options let you move deliberately, sustainably, and on your own terms—blending convenience with the kind of spontaneous exploration that makes travel memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Visit Santa Monica on a Day Trip From Los Angeles?
Yes — you can easily day-trip to Santa Monica from Los Angeles; you’ll soak up sun on the pier, stroll vibrant streets, savor ocean breezes, and reclaim freedom as you explore beaches, shops, and lively cafes before returning refreshed.
What Are the Best Months for Whale Watching Nearby?
You’ll hit the jackpot from December through April for gray whales, with blue and humpback sightings peaking May through October; you’ll feel electrified watching giants breach, freeing your spirit on those crisp, salty Pacific days.
Are There Family-Friendly Hotels With Suite Options?
Yes — you’ll find family-friendly hotels offering spacious suites, kitchens, and living areas that free you from cramped rooms. You’ll enjoy kid-friendly pools, nearby parks, and flexible amenities that let your family relax and roam confidently.
Is Santa Monica Safe to Walk at Night?
Better safe than sorry: you can walk parts of Santa Monica at night, but stay vigilant, stick to well-lit, busy areas like the pier and Third Street Promenade, travel in groups, avoid isolated spots, and trust your instincts.
Where Can I Find Public Restrooms on the Beach?
You’ll find public restrooms along the Santa Monica Pier, near the Annenberg Community Beach House, at lifeguard stations every few blocks, and dotted along Palisades Park; they’re maintained, accessible, and ready when you need freedom by the sea.
Conclusion
You’ve got a perfect blueprint to soak up Santa Monica’s sunlit charm, from pier thrills to secret neighborhood nooks. Follow the seven-day plan, wander the Promenade, sample seaside eats, and immerse yourself in beach yoga or a street-art tour—each day’s a gift you’ll unwrap like finding a seashell on the shore. With transit tips and parking tricks in your pocket, you’ll explore confidently, savor local flavors, and make lasting memories on this vibrant coastal playground.