Location: Santa Monica
Top Things to do in Santa Monica
Top Restaurants in Santa Monica
Countries
What to do and see in Santa Monica, California (CA): The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
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. The Amazing Santa Monica Race
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 123 reviews
The Amazing Santa Monica Race is part scavenger hunt, part reality show, part self-guided tour, part race and all fun. The Amazing Santa Monica Race is a competitive sight seeing tour where racers get to have a reality show experience, racing against others while they get to see parts of Santa Monica and funky, gritty Venice Beach. It's the most unique sight-seeing tour in the world.
3. Segway Los Angeles
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 249 reviews
Segway Los Angeles is an authorized Segway retailer and tour operator located steps from the Pier on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica. In business since 2004, we provide world class service and an experience you won't forget! Step on a self balancing Segway PT and join us on a unique and exciting guided tour through the Santa Monica and Venice beach areas. Or, choose your own adventure with a rental instead!
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Santa Monica Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,342 reviews
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 .
9. Harvelle's Blues Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Few places in the country can honestly say that they adequately capture the flavor of a particular location. The truth is that once the sunset, people want to get dirty, and we just help them indulge. Harvelle's takes pride in showcasing the best live Blues, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Burlesque Shows, and so much more. Our crown jewel is the Toledo show, there's really nothing quite like it. A mix of all the best talents the area has to offer, all in one place. No one has quite a good time as Harvelle's!
10. Sea Mist Rentals
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Quick, easy and ultra-affordable bike rentals at Santa Monica Beach and Pier; immediate access to 26-mile bike path and more!
Reviewed By Dreyenne - Pont-de-Roide, France
Sea Mist Rentals is very easy to find : just below the Santa Monica Pier. So you could rent some bikes so close to the beach and it's perfect if you want to have a great day enjoying the Marvin Braude Bike Trail along the beaches until Redondo Beach, or if you simply want to have fun and sun from Santa Monica to Venice ! We rent 2 bikes for 1 day (we've been from the rental place to Manhattan Beach through "The Strand") : 40$ (which is very cheap !) --> 20$/bike, we also asked for a lock and a basket for our backpack (the both were for free !) You had to leave an ID and 20$ (for caution) at the beginning and...let's go !! The bikes are in good condition, you can choose which one you want. The staff is very friendly and helpful so I thank them again for their kindness.
