How to Plan the Perfect Day in Santa Monica, California

Looking for the perfect day trip from Los Angeles? Discover the best things to do when you spend a day in Santa Monica, California!

Santa Monica was actually the very first place I spent time in on my first ever USA road trip. Having flown in from the UK the night before, I wasn’t quite prepared for the bright lights and hordes of tourists along Hollywood Boulevard just yet. Instead, the seaside buzz of Santa Monica delivered a happy medium to ease me into the all-American big city life. 

Santa Monica is a coastal city all of its own, but still considered part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Just 15 miles west of Downtown L.A, it’s a really easy city to take a day trip to from Los Angeles proper. 

Discover the best things to do on your visit, along with some suggestions on the best places to eat in this charming coastal city!

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Santa Monica Travel Guide

When’s the best time to visit Santa Monica?

Summer is the most popular time in Santa Monica, with average high temperatures reaching between 21-25°C from June-September.

You can also see some good weather here in October and November, before temperatures begin to drop slightly for the winter and early spring months. This is often considered the best time to go as the beach is less busy, but the weather is still usually good enough to enjoy it!

I spent a day in Santa Monica in early April, and unfortunately the weather wasn’t great – it was grey and overcast, although luckily still relatively warm and rain-free. However, even if the weather is less than ideal, there’s still plenty to enjoy in Santa Monica.

How to get to Santa Monica

By car: 

The main highway into Santa Monica from Los Angeles is the I-10 W. If you’re heading in from Los Angeles International Airport, you’ll take the  I-405 N. Both journeys will take around 20-25 minutes at quieter times. However, traffic can get busy in the greater LA area so this can take longer – anywhere between 30-50 minutes at peak times

By public transport:

A direct Metro line runs from 7th Street / Metro Center Station in Downtown Los Angeles to Downtown Santa Monica.

Getting around Santa Monica

Santa Monica is really easy to get around on foot if you’re comfortable walking medium distances. In fact, it’s my recommended way to explore, as you get a real feel for the city by simply walking around it. Most streets here are well-equipped for pedestrians, with wide-set pavements and regular crossings.

If you’re looking to take public transport around Santa Monica, the city has three metro stations and the Big Blue Bus service. You could also use Uber or hail a local taxi to get around.

Another great way to explore Santa Monica in one day is by hiring a bike. The Beach Path leads all the way down to Venice Beach, and is well-paved with plenty of space for cyclists. Joining a Beach Bike Tour is a great way to learn more about the city as you pedal along the Pacific oceanfront!

Where to stay in Santa Monica

If you’re looking to extend your day in Santa Monica, there are plenty of hotel options for a place to rest your head.

HI Los Angeles Santa Monica ($) – centrally located Santa Monica hostel with dorm beds and private rooms.
Ocean Park Inn ($$) – clean and cosy no-frills motel, around 30mins walk from Santa Monica Pier
Sea Blue Hotel ($$$) – boutique hotel beside Santa Monica Pier with California-inspired decor
The Georgian ($$$$$) – A luxurious stay awaits behind the art deco interior of this beachfront hotel

The best things to do on a day trip to Santa Monica

Take a walk along Santa Monica Pier

One of the major tourist destinations in Santa Monica is the famous Santa Monica pier, and it was one of my first stop-offs. Due to it being a weekday in April with less-than-summery weather, it wasn’t as rammed as I’d have expected it to be, so I could take in the sights at a bit of a leisurely pace.

I passed on Bubba Gump’s Shrimp and took a little stroll, taking in the sea views, buskers and dodging the huge seagulls wherever possible. At the end of the pier, I found a little gift shop and picked up a 99cent magnet as my first souvenir – and also dug an English fiver out of my bag to go on their wall of currencies.

Play games at Pacific Park

Santa Monica Pier is also home to Pacific Park, a family-friendly oceanside amusement park with thirteen rides, including the iconic ferris wheel that lights up the beachfront after dark. The ferris wheel offers views over the Pacific Ocean, and the park’s single rollercoaster loops its way around the entire site.

While exploring Pacific Park, I also came across the old-school seaside arcade and just had to go in – giving myself a ten dollar budget to have as much fun as possible. I ended up getting ridiculously invested in playing ‘Down The Clown’, where you basically throw balls at lit up clowns…

Opening Times: Mon-Thu 12-7pm; Fri & Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-9pm
Admission Fee: Free (individual rides and attractions priced accordingly)

Relax on Santa Monica Beach

Soft, golden sands that stretch as far as the eye can see, peppered with iconic palm trees, Santa Monica State beach is California vibes to a tee.

Beach life is a huge part of the culture in Santa Monica, and you’ll see locals working out at outdoor gyms, jumping into the lapping North Pacific Ocean, and enjoying the 245 acres of sand that make up the state beach.

The beach offers a wealth of activities, from beach volleyball and swimming to surfing and boogie boarding. If you’re looking to get a workout in, swing by the Original Muscle Beach to join the muscle-flexers in some outdoor gym activities.

Not feeling particularly active? Time to roll out your towel and relax with a book and some beach snacks, and marvel at their athletic prowess from afar…

Stroll through Palisades Park

Walking, biking and people-watching are all popular activities in this lush city park, home to over 30 varieties of trees and plants. Stretching 1.6 miles along Ocean Avenue, this green oasis offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from palm-tree lined pathways and well maintained lawns.

Throughout the park, you’ll find an array of public artworks and historic features, including an 1800s Civil War cannon and a distinctive Native American totem pole. It’s also home to the Santa Monica Camera Obscura, installed in 1899 and still open for public viewing to this day.

See the Santa Monica Black & Pink Houses

If you know your memes, this distinctive pair of houses will be familiar to you. This pair of neighbouring beach houses are painted in contrasting styles – one painted completely black, and one that pops with candyfloss pink and lilac panelling.

1341 Palisades Beach Road, Santa Monica

Go shopping in downtown Santa Monica

Third Street Promenade is the go-to shopping area in central Santa Monica. Big names reign supreme, however you’ll also find stylish boutiques and gift shops for the perfect Santa Monica souvenir.

If you’re in town on a Wednesday or Saturday morning, check out the Downtown Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. Around 60 California farms head into the city to sell their wares, from fresh produce to vibrant flowers. The market is a lively community event, often visited by famous faces and top local chefs.

Check out the exhibits at California Heritage Museum

Located in a 19th century historic house, the California Heritage Museum hosts a diverse array of exhibitions that showcase the richness and diversity of California. Previous exhibits have included subjects such as surfing culture, skateboarding and Native American history in the state.

2612 Main Street, Santa Monica
Opening Times: Wed-Sun 11am-4pm
Admission Fee: $10 (adults) $5 (seniors and students) – free entry all day on Friday.

Go mural hunting on Santa Monica’s streets

Santa Monica has a strong arts and culture scene, with galleries and art shops to be found all over the city. Public art brings vibrant colour to the walls of the city, and a self guided mural tour of Downtown Santa Monica is a great way to experience the creativity the city has to offer.

Where to eat and drink in Santa Monica

For a casual dinner in Santa Monica, I was drawn in by the bright lights and exciting, fun decor of Barney’s Beanery. Booth tables plastered with pop culture icons and a wall of hub caps honouring the historic Route 66 – this definitely looked like my kinda place.

I ordered the chilli cheese fries, which came out as an impressively generous portion, and the homemade chilli was tangy and rich.

More Santa Monica Restaurants:

• Bay Cities ($) is a beloved Santa Monica sandwich shop home to a local legend. ‘Angelinos’ and visitors alike flock here to order The Godmother – prosciutto, ham, capicola, mortadella, Genoa salami and provolone cheese.
• For chic Italian fare, check out Élephante ($$$), a stylish spot that invokes the spirit of Southern Italy with impeccable Mediterranean flavour.
• The wood-fired oven is the star at Tar and Roses ($$$), with globally-inspired small and large plates.
• If you fancy trying out some ‘Cal-Mex’ (that’s California Mexican) cuisine, check out Sol Agave ($$-$$$) for sleek and stylish dining, or Blue Plate Taco ($$) for clean, coastal twist on traditional Mexican eats.

Want to uncover more of California’s Mexican food scene? This 2.5hr Tacos and Wine Walking Tour explores Santa Monica’s famous tacos, accompanied by delicious local wines and insights into the city’s food culture.

More California Travel Guides:

• Where to visit on your first trip to Los Angeles
• Dark tourism at Los Angeles’ Museum of Death
• The best way to sightsee in Los Angeles if you don’t have a car
• 10 Things To Do For Your First Time In San Francisco
• Hiking in Yosemite National Park
• Top Tips For Visiting Alcatraz Island, San Francisco