What are the best things to do in Santa Monica?
Top picks in Santa Monica include Museum of Flying, Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Beach, Third Street Promenade. See the full list and itinerary on this Santa Monica travel guide.
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🇺🇸 United States travel guide
North America · North America
Santa Monica Travel Guide
Santa Monica, United States
Photo: User:User2004 · Public domain
Why visit Santa Monica
Travel guide for Santa Monica, United States — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Santa Monica is a stop in United States, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Museum of Flying, Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Beach instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Santa Monica
1
Museum of Flying
2
Santa Monica Pier
3
Santa Monica Beach
4
Third Street Promenade
Budget travel
Free things to do in Santa Monica
Santa Monica Beach
Third Street Promenade
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Santa Monica itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Museum of Flying
- Visit Santa Monica Pier
- Visit Santa Monica Beach
- Eat at Bay Cities Italian Deli
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Third Street Promenade
- Eat at Bagel Nosh Deli
Budget
Santa Monica trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Santa Monica, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Santa Monica
Estimated total (USD)
$3,300
≈ $1,650 per person · $471 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $200/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Santa Monica mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Bay Cities Italian Deli
Bagel Nosh Deli
Snug Harbor
Tacos Por Favor
Rae's Restaurant
El Cholo
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Bayside Hotel
Ocean Park Inn
Seaview Hotel
Gateway Hotel Santa Monica
Ocean View Hotel Santa Monica
Shopping
- Montana Avenue
- Third Street Promenade
- Santa Monica Place
- Main Street
Nightlife
- Fathers Office
- Britannia Pub
- Ye Olde Kings Head
- Library Ale House
Museums & culture
- Museum of Flying
In pictures
Santa Monica gallery
Photos: User:User2004, Bobak Ha'Eri, Ncoriaty, California Historical Society Digital Collection, Joe Mabel, Jon Sullivan — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Santa Monica travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Santa Monica?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Santa Monica?
Plan at least 2 days in Santa Monica for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Santa Monica?
Popular stays in Santa Monica include Bayside Hotel, Ocean Park Inn, Seaview Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Santa Monica cost?
On the ground in Santa Monica (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Santa Monica, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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