Top 10 Things to do in Santa Monica, California (CA)

May 27, 2021 Terina Blouin

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. Third Street Promenade

Third Street between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401 +1 310-393-8355 [email protected] http://www.downtownsm.com/
Excellent
49%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,098 reviews

Third Street Promenade

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.

2. Palisades Park

Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401 +1 310-458-8644 [email protected] http://www.smgov.net/Departments/CCS/content.aspx?id=31700
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 560 reviews

Palisades Park

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......

3. Ocean Avenue

Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401 +1 310-393-6149 http://www.santamonica.com/santa-monica-neighborhoods/santa-monica-pier-ocean-avenue
Excellent
49%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 691 reviews

Ocean Avenue

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.

4. 26-Mile Bike Path

Santa Monica, CA 90403 http://beaches.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dbh/!ut/p/b0/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOJdDQwM3P3dgo0MvA0MDTyN_Ezc3B0DDYBs_YJsR0UAMgAeVA!!/?1dmy&page=dept.lac.dbh.home.beaches.detail.hidden&urile=wcm%3Apath%3A/dbh+content/dbh+site/home/beaches/bikepath1
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,463 reviews

26-Mile Bike Path

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.

5. Santa Monica State Beach

Ocean Ave at Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 310-458-8300 http://www.smgov.net/portals/beach
Excellent
52%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,705 reviews

Santa Monica State Beach

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.

6. Santa Monica Mountains

Santa Monica, CA http://www.nps.gov/samo/index.htm
Excellent
68%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 284 reviews

Santa Monica Mountains

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.

7. Santa Monica Bay

Santa Monica, CA 90401
Excellent
54%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,342 reviews

Santa Monica Bay

Santa Monica Bay consists of 50 miles of scenic coastline with 22 separate public beaches, providing recreational opportunities to visitors year round.

Reviewed By 404christiner404

A great day out at the beach ,walk along the pier and take a ride on the big wheel if you are up to a long walk you can walk to venice beach and get a spot of lunch .

8. Santa Monica Pier

200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401-3126 +1 310-458-8901 [email protected] http://santamonicapier.org/
Excellent
41%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 18,920 reviews

Santa Monica Pier

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 jacqquel - Buenos Aires, Argentina

lovely place, my fav in LA. close to Expo Line Metro. cool musicians, tasty restaurants, beautiful views of the pacific ocean, fun attractions at Pacific Park right next to the pier, souvenir shops as well. would spent hours and hours there !! would recommend you to go to 3rd st promenade afterwards :)

9. Santa Monica Place

395 Santa Monica Pl, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2372 +1 310-260-8333 [email protected] http://www.santamonicaplace.com/
Excellent
33%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 324 reviews

Santa Monica Place

Urban. Beach Chic. This is Santa Monica Place. A LEED Gold certified shopping and dining retail resort destination. Designed to reflect the trend-setting fashion appeal of Santa Monica, this one-of-a-kind world-famous city by the beach serves up gorgeous ocean views, fabulous fashion, and perfect dining inside & out offering the very best of Southern California cool. Santa Monica Place is a sophisticated, must-visit destination delivering three levels of exciting retail and dining. From Nordstrom to an innovative Bloomingdale's concept store and an array of the city's best shops - Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Emporio Armani, Burberry Brit, Barneys New York, Tory Burch, Kitson, Nike, kate spade new york, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Ted Baker London, AllSaints Spitalfields, 7 For All Mankind, Le SportSac, Coach, True Religion, Diane von Furstenberg, Uniqlo, Kooples and more - Santa Monica Place is the epicenter of relaxed, celebrity-inspired style.

Reviewed By zsoltc260

Great place to stroll, wash your feet in the ocean, enjoy the beautiful sunset and have an icecream or cocktail in the bars on the sandy beach.

10. Pacific Park

380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401-3128 +1 310-260-8744 [email protected] http://www.pacpark.com
Excellent
35%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,029 reviews

Pacific Park

Located on the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park® is the family place to play! Featuring 12 thrilling rides, including the West Coaster and Pacific Wheel, the world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel. Millions of visitors each year enjoy all the rides, games and fun you’d expect from one of Southern California’s leading entertainment destinations. Pacific Park® has it all… a dozen rides, midway games, ocean-front specialty food outlets, and seaside shopping.

Reviewed By ghk1857

All the fairground attractions that you could want, but under the Southern Californian sun. Loads of souvenirs and t-shirts for sale as well. Good range of fast food available too. Great atmosphere.

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