Things To Do In Santa Monica Ca

Santa Monica is basically Los Angeles’s chill, sun-kissed cousin who always smells like sunscreen and knows a guy with a beach cruiser. It’s walkable, bike-friendly, and packed with more sunscreen vendors than you can shake a flip-flop at. So grab a hat, pretend you’ll reapply it, and let’s dive in.

Start With the Pier (Obviously)

The Santa Monica Pier is a neon-lit carnival on stilts, and yes, it’s touristy. It’s also fun, so lean into it. Ride the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park, lose a few dollars to Skee-Ball, and watch street performers do things you didn’t know were legal.

Don’t skip the Heal the Bay Aquarium under the pier. It’s small, charming, and lets you touch sea stars without ruining your manicure. Plus, you’ll learn why the bay is worth protecting while a tiny shark judges you from a tank.

Get Your Feet Sandy

Santa Monica Beach is wide, clean-ish, and perfect for doing absolutely nothing with style. Claim a spot, bury your friend’s flip-flops, and pretend you’ll read that novel you brought. You won’t—the ocean is too distracting.

Want actual movement? Take a surf lesson or rent a paddleboard near the pier. You’ll fall, laugh, and swallow seawater—then call it part of the experience.

Walk, Bike, or Roll Along the Coast

The Strand is a paved path that stretches from Santa Monica to Venice and beyond. Rent a bike, hop on a scooter, or just walk until your legs file a complaint. The people-watching is elite.

Prefer pavement? Third Street Promenade is closed to cars—well, mostly—and packed with shops, street musicians, and folks handing out flyers for comedy shows. It’s a great place to buy sunglasses you’ll lose by Tuesday.

For a quieter stroll, head to Palisades Park along Ocean Avenue. It’s got palm trees, ocean views, and enough benches to sit and contemplate your next snack. The sunset here? Chef’s kiss.

Eat Like You Mean It

Santa Monica’s food scene ranges from “I’m just grabbing a slice” to “I’ll need a second job for this tasting menu.” Start casual at Bay Cities Italian Deli, where the Godmother sandwich is a local legend. Order it with the works, then find a bench and go silent for ten minutes.

21 Best Things To Do In Santa Monica, California (2026)

For something sit-down and snazzy, try Cassia for Southeast Asian flavors or Elephante for Italian with a view. Father’s Office has a famous burger, but don’t ask for ketchup unless you enjoy being dramatically judged.

The Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesday mornings and Saturday afternoons is a feast for the senses. Grab fresh fruit, weird mushrooms, and a pastry the size of your face. You’re on vacation; calories don’t count.

Culture Without the Museum Fatigue

Check out Bergamot Station, a former train depot turned low-key art complex. It has galleries, studios, and zero pretension if you avoid the guy explaining a blank canvas. Bring an open mind and comfortable shoes.

The complex is worth a wander. It’s got multiple galleries, a café, and enough abstract art to make you say, “I could do that” before remembering you can’t. Nearby, the Santa Monica History Museum tells local stories without making you read every plaque.

Beyond the Tourist Trail

Wander over to Main Street for indie boutiques, coffee shops, and bars that don’t care if you’re wearing sandals. It’s less polished than Third Street and more fun for it. You might find a vintage jacket or a new favorite taco stand.

Montana Avenue is the polished, boutique-y side of town. It’s great for browsing, brunch, and pretending you have a beach house nearby. If you see a golden retriever in a bandana, that’s the mayor. Probably.

21 Best Things To Do In Santa Monica, California (2026)

Want a quick escape? Drive or bus up to the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades—technically not Santa Monica, but close enough. It’s free, gorgeous, and fills up fast, so reserve tickets ahead. Your camera roll will thank you.

Practical-ish Tips for a Smooth Day

Parking is a competitive sport. Use the Expo Line, ride a bike, or park in a city lot and walk. Your blood pressure will stay lower than the pier’s Ferris wheel.

Bring layers. Santa Monica can be sunny, foggy, windy, and chilly within an hour. A hoodie is not optional; it’s a personality trait.

Don’t feed the seagulls. They’re basically flying raccoons with better PR. One will take your churro, and you’ll never emotionally recover.

End With the Sunset

As the day winds down, find a spot on the beach or Palisades Park and watch the sky turn pink and orange. It’s cheesy, it’s cliché, and it’s absolutely worth it. Even the grumpy guy next to you will stop scrolling for a second.

Santa Monica isn’t about checking off a list. It’s about salt air, good food, weird street performers, and that one moment when a pelican flies by and you forget your parking meter. Let the city surprise you.

So go. Ride the wheel, eat the sandwich, walk the pier, and leave with sand in places sand should not be. You’ll come home relaxed, slightly sunburned, and already planning your next trip back.