The Santa Monica Pier is a landmark and popular attraction located in Santa Monica. It’s known for its amusement park, beautiful beach, and various attractions for tourists and locals to enjoy.
The Third Street Promenade is an outdoor shopping district located in Downtown Santa Monica. Visitors can enjoy boutique stores, major retail stores and a farmer's market, along with restaurants and movie theaters.
The Misfit is a casual gastropub with a patio that serves cocktails and seasonal Californian cuisine.
The Annenberg Community Beach House is a public beach facility, that offers a pool, beach courts, splash pad, playground, and scenic beach volleyball courts.
Santa Monica State Beach is a 3.5 mile stretch of beach known for cycling, walking, volleyball, surfing, and swimming.
For the itinerary above and considering the opening and closing times of the attractions, we recommend walking as the primary mode of transportation. It's important to note that parking in Downtown Santa Monica can be challenging with limited options and high costs, so using a rideshare service, bike rental or public transportation could be more convenient and cost-effective.
If you have more time, we recommend visiting the Getty Villa or the Getty Center, two world-renowned art museums located near Santa Monica. Lastly, if you have less time, you can adjust the itinerary by skipping one or more of the attractions mentioned, but we recommend sticking to the order of attractions to minimize transportation time.
Santa Monica has no airports, but Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest and most connected airport to the city, located approximately 14 miles southwest of Santa Monica.
Tour Operator Urban nature & discovery walking tours
Garden Safaris offers immersive, guided walking tours that reveal the hidden natural beauty of Santa Monica. We specialize in urban “safaris” that blend gardens, architecture, secret stairways, canyon paths, and ocean views into unforgettable local adventures. Led by knowledgeable guides, our tours go beyond typical sightseeing, inviting travelers to explore peaceful, lesser-known landscapes and discover the stories, design, and nature woven into the city. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing garden stroll or an active scenic hike, Garden Safaris turns the city into a living outdoor escape.