Santa Monica is the postcard-perfect slice of coastal Los Angeles where the end of Route 66 meets Pacific sunsets. Incorporated in 1886 and anchored by the historic Santa Monica Pier (1909), the city blends old-California nostalgia with a modern wellness and culinary scene. It’s compact, walkable, and blessed with miles of sandy beach, making it a favorite for families, couples, and solo travelers.

Spend your days cycling the oceanfront path, strolling palm-lined parks, and hopping between art galleries and boutiques. Venice, Marina del Rey, and Malibu are minutes away, so you can pair beach time with canals, yachts, and dramatic coastal cliffs. Expect mild weather year-round; mornings can bring a marine layer (aka “June Gloom”), but afternoons usually turn golden.

Food is a highlight: from farmers-market-fueled cafes to Michelin-starred dining and rooftop sunsets. Getting around is easy by foot, bike, rideshare, or the Metro E Line to explore greater LA. Pack layers, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes—and prepare to slow your pace to the rhythm of the tide.

Santa Monica

Between Palisades Park’s clifftop palms and the lively Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica is a beach town with big-city polish. The 22-mile Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail (aka “The Strand”) begins here and threads through Venice and beyond. At the Pier, ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel and snap a photo at the Route 66 “End of the Trail” sign.

• Top sights: Santa Monica Pier & Pacific Park, Palisades Park, Tongva Park’s modern gardens, Third Street Promenade, Annenberg Community Beach House, Bergamot Station Arts Center, Venice Canals, Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
• Food & drink favorites: Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe (market-driven brunch), Cassia (Southeast Asian-Californian), Pasjoli (Michelin-star French), Elephante (rooftop coastal Italian), Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar, Bay Cities Italian Deli (famed Godmother sandwich), The Misfit (cocktails & American fare), The Bungalow (legendary garden bar), Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
• Fun facts: The Pier’s carousel dates to the 1920s; scenes from Forrest Gump and La La Land filmed nearby; Santa Monica is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Southern California.

Where to stay: For beachfront access and easy walking, base yourself near Ocean Avenue or the Pier. Main Street puts you steps from coffee shops and the beach, while Montana Avenue is quiet and boutique-filled.

• Find a vacation rental on VRBO: Santa Monica rentals on VRBO
• Compare hotels on Hotels.com: Santa Monica hotels on Hotels.com

Getting there: Fly into LAX (closest), or consider BUR/Long Beach if fares/timing are better. Most US flights take 1.5–6 hours; typical roundtrips run ~$150–$450 depending on season.

• Search flights (global): Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights
• Flying from/to Europe: Omio flights

Airport to Santa Monica: Rideshare/taxi to Ocean Ave averages 25–45 minutes, ~$35–$75 depending on traffic. Budget option: Big Blue Bus Rapid 3 from LAX City Bus Center to downtown Santa Monica (~50–65 minutes).

Day 1: Pier vibes, Palisades Park sunset, and a harbor cruise

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, grab an espresso and a honey vanilla latte at Dogtown Coffee on Main Street, then stretch your legs with a stroll through Tongva Park—its dune-like landscaping hints at the coast’s natural ecology.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Palisades Park for clifftop ocean views and breezes. Walk down to the Santa Monica Pier for Pacific Park’s Ferris wheel, arcade classics, and the Route 66 sign. For a casual late lunch, The Albright on the Pier serves local seafood (think peel-and-eat shrimp and clam chowder), or detour to Bay Cities Italian Deli for the city’s signature Godmother sandwich—crispy Italian bread, meats, and a spicy pepper spread.

Evening: Make your first sunset count with a Marina del Rey harbor spin—sea lions often lounge on the docks and the golden light is pure California.

One Hour Cruise Around Marina del Rey: A relaxed, captain-led loop past sleek yachts with coastal views; it’s an easy, low-effort way to reset after travel. Post-cruise, head back to Santa Monica for dinner.

Choose a mood: Cassia’s wood-fired, Southeast Asian-inflected plates (grilled prawns, kaya toast, beef rendang) spark conversation, while Elephante’s rooftop channels Amalfi-by-the-Pacific—order the whipped eggplant, wood-fired pizzas, and a mezcal cocktail. Nightcap at The Bungalow’s lantern-strung garden or sip local brews at Library Alehouse on Main Street.

Day 2: Bikes to Venice, art and beach time, destination dinner

Morning: Start at Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe—brioche doughnuts, green shakshuka, and market salads are standouts. If it’s Wednesday, the downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market on Arizona Avenue (8am–1:30pm) is a chef magnet; Saturdays and Sundays have smaller markets. Rent bikes and cruise the Marvin Braude path south toward Venice.

Small-Group Electric Bike Tour of Santa Monica and Venice: Glide past Muscle Beach, Venice Skate Park, the Venice Canals, and colorful murals with a local guide (great stories, no parking stress). It’s an efficient, fun primer to the neighborhood tapestry.

Afternoon: Refuel in Venice: Great White (healthy bowls, crispy fish tacos) or Gjusta (smoked fish plates, vegetable antipasti, legendary pastries). Back in Santa Monica, settle at Annenberg Community Beach House—grab a lounger, dip in the pool when open seasonally, or rent stand-up paddleboards. Prefer culture? Browse Bergamot Station’s contemporary galleries; it’s a former rail depot turned art hub.

Evening: Go celebratory: Pasjoli brings French technique with SoCal ingredients—duck press (if available), artful vegetable courses, and a stellar wine list. For something more casual, Forma’s “cheese-wheel” pastas are spun tableside in aged rounds; pair with an Italian white by the glass. Dessert at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (brambleberry crisp or salty caramel) and a moonlit walk along Ocean Avenue.

Day 3: Hollywood highlights, gourmet bites, and farewell beach time

Morning: See the LA icons without driving. This streamlined tour picks you up in Santa Monica and threads the can’t-miss highlights—perfect for first-timers and photo lovers.

Perfect 5 ½ Hour LA & Hollywood Tour from Santa Monica: Expect Griffith Observatory views, the Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive—efficiently covered in one sweep from your Santa Monica base.

Afternoon: Back in town, graze your way through a guided tasting loop that spotlights Santa Monica’s diverse food scene—ideal if you love stories behind the dishes and meeting local purveyors.

Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour: A curated, small-group tasting of neighborhood favorites—think seasonal bites, coastal flavors, and a dash of local history in between stops.

Alternatively, keep it mellow with a last beach session near lifeguard towers 24–26, then browse the shops along the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place for souvenirs (local design, beachwear, skincare).

Evening: Early farewell dinner before your afternoon/early evening departure. Blue Plate Taco’s beachfront seats deliver grilled corn elote, mahi tacos, and margaritas with a sunset show. Father’s Office (Montana Ave) is classic for craft beer and the famed dry-aged “Office Burger” (no substitutions—part of the lore). If timing allows, toast your trip with a golden-hour rooftop spritz at Calabra in the Santa Monica Proper Hotel.

Optional add-on (if you have a little more time): Trace the Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu for clifftop overlooks and beach coves; an expertly narrated outing focuses on beach culture and celebrity lore.

Malibu: Exclusive Beautiful Beach and Celebrity Lifestyle Tour: Sand, surf, scenic overlooks, and pop culture—an easy half-day escape north of Santa Monica.

Local tips: Santa Monica is very walkable—stash a light layer for the ocean breeze. Parking garages around downtown offer the first 90 minutes free, but many hotels charge nightly parking. Bikes and e-bikes are ubiquitous; yield to pedestrians on beach paths and lock your bike securely when you stop.

Ready to book? Compare stays on VRBO and Hotels.com, then lock in flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

In three days, you’ll taste Santa Monica’s best: wide beaches, bike-friendly boulevards, Marina sunsets, and a splash of Hollywood magic. Come for the Pier and the palm trees; stay for the markets, the art, and the laid-back rhythm you’ll want to bottle and take home.