One-Day Itinerary for Exploring Santa Monica, California

• Santa Monica Pier: Start your day at the iconic Santa Monica Pier, which opens at 6 am. Take a long walk along the pier and enjoy the beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. You can also enjoy some games, grab a bite to eat, or take a ride on the Ferris wheel. (2 hours, prices vary)
• Third Street Promenade: Take a short walk from the pier down to Third Street Promenade, a popular outdoor shopping center featuring unique stores, street performers, and restaurants. You can wander around for a few hours, do some window shopping, or catch a movie at the AMC Theater. (2-3 hours, prices vary)
• Santa Monica State Beach: Finish your day at Santa Monica State Beach, where you can relax and soak up the sun. Take a dip in the ocean or take a leisurely stroll along the beach. You can also rent a bicycle or participate in some beach activities such as volleyball, surfing, or paddleboarding. The beach is open until sunset. (2-3 hours, rental prices vary)

Time and Cost Estimates

• Santa Monica Pier (2 hours, prices vary)
• Third Street Promenade (2-3 hours, prices vary)
• Santa Monica State Beach (2-3 hours, rental prices vary)
Total Estimated Costs: $20-$50

Transportation

To get around Santa Monica, you may consider renting a bicycle or using a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. There are also bus options in the area such as the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, which costs $1 per trip, and the Metro Bus 534, which runs from downtown LA to Santa Monica for $1.75 per trip. You can estimate to pay around $10-$30 for transportation depending on the mode of transportation you prefer and the distance you travel.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you may want to visit the Santa Monica Museum of Art or take a yoga class at the beach. If you have less time, you can skip Third Street Promenade and spend more time at the beach. Remember to bring sunscreen and comfortable shoes for walking. You can also bring your own snacks to save money on food costs.