Santa Monica sits right where the city meets the Pacific, and it packs more into a few square miles than most beach towns manage in an entire coastline. Whether you’re chasing ocean views, street performers, or a killer fish taco, narrowing down the best things to do in Santa Monica takes some local know-how, because the obvious picks only scratch the surface.
At Another Side Tours, we’ve spent years guiding visitors through Los Angeles and its iconic neighborhoods, Santa Monica included. Our local expert guides know which spots deserve your time and which ones you can skip. That firsthand experience is exactly what shaped this list.
Below, you’ll find six standout things to do that’ll help you plan a full day here, from the Pier to the lesser-known corners most visitors walk right past. Each one is worth the stop, and together, they make for a day you’ll actually remember.
1. Take a guided Santa Monica tour with Another Side Tours
If you want to make the most of one day, starting with a guided tour is the smartest move you can make. Another Side Tours runs expert-led experiences through Santa Monica and the broader LA area, giving you the local context that turns a walk past landmarks into something you’ll actually talk about later.
What you’ll do
Your guide takes you through Santa Monica’s most recognizable spots while filling in the stories and history that you’d never pick up on your own. That includes the Pier, the beach, the Promenade, and a handful of neighborhood details that most visitors miss entirely. Tours can be customized, so if you have specific interests, your guide can work with those.
A guided tour is one of the best things to do in Santa Monica if you want the full picture without spending hours figuring it out yourself.
How long it takes
Most tours run between 90 minutes and several hours, depending on the format you choose. Private tours give you more flexibility with pacing, while small group options keep things moving at a set schedule. Either way, you’ll cover significant ground without feeling rushed.
What it costs
Pricing starts around $75 per person for smaller group options and scales up based on tour length, group size, and whether you go private. Groups of three or more typically qualify for discounted rates, so it’s worth checking when you book. Private tours offer the most tailored experience and are priced accordingly.
| Tour Type | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Small group | ~$75/person | Solo travelers or pairs |
| Private tour | Varies by group | Families or custom itineraries |
Tips for a smooth visit
Book your tour ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting during summer or around a holiday weekend, since spots fill up fast. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer for the ocean breeze, which picks up more than most people expect. Arriving a few minutes early gives you time to meet your guide and ask any questions before you head out.
2. Bike the Strand for classic beach views
The Strand is a paved beachfront path that runs along the Pacific and gives you unobstructed ocean views for miles in both directions. Riding it is one of the most popular and genuinely rewarding things to do in Santa Monica, and it earns that reputation every single time.
What you’ll do
You ride along a dedicated bike path that stretches from Santa Monica south through Venice Beach and beyond. The route stays completely flat the entire way, making it manageable for most fitness levels. Along the way, you pass beach volleyball courts, lifeguard towers, and plenty of spots to pull over and take in the water.
How long it takes
A relaxed round trip from Santa Monica to Venice Beach and back takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes. If you stop along the way, budget closer to two hours for a comfortable pace.
What it costs
Bike rentals near the Pier typically run $15 to $25 per hour, depending on the shop and bike style. E-bikes cost more but cut down the effort significantly if you plan to cover longer ground.
Tips for a smooth visit
Rent your bike early in the morning to beat the crowds that build on the Strand by late morning on weekends.
Stick to the bike lane and watch for pedestrians who drift into the path. Bring sunscreen and water since there is little shade along the entire route.
3. Hit the Santa Monica Pier for iconic sights
The Santa Monica Pier stretches out over the Pacific at the end of Colorado Avenue and offers sweeping coastal views in both directions. It ranks among the best things to do in Santa Monica, and it earns that spot every single visit.
What you’ll do
You walk a historic wooden pier dating back to 1909 and find a full amusement park, an aquarium, restaurants, and a fishing area at the far end. The Ferris wheel and roller coaster at Pacific Park are the headline draws, but simply standing at the railing and watching the surf costs nothing and delivers a view that competes with anything else on this list.
How long it takes
One to two hours covers the pier at a comfortable pace. Add extra time if you plan to ride attractions or stop for food at one of the waterfront spots along the way.
What it costs
Entry to the pier is completely free. Here is what to expect if you go beyond a simple walk:
- Pacific Park rides: $5 to $12 per ride
- Unlimited ride wristband: $30 to $40 (seasonal pricing applies)
- Aquarium admission: around $8 per adult
Visiting on a weekday morning cuts the crowd significantly compared to weekend afternoons, when the pier gets genuinely packed.
Tips for a smooth visit
Arrive before 10 a.m. to find street parking without competing with the midday rush. Bring a light jacket, since the wind off the water picks up fast once you step past the boardwalk and out onto the pier itself.
4. Walk Palisades Park for bluff-top sunsets
Palisades Park runs along a narrow bluff above Pacific Coast Highway and gives you unobstructed views of the ocean and coastline that most visitors in Santa Monica never find. It’s one of the quieter spots on this list, and that’s exactly what makes it worth your time.
What you’ll do
You walk a tree-lined path that stretches roughly 26 acres along the bluffs above the beach. The park sits above the main beach activity, so you get the views without the sand and crowds directly below. Benches line the path, making it easy to stop, sit, and watch the sun drop toward the water at the end of the day.
How long it takes
A leisurely stroll from one end to the other takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Arriving 30 to 60 minutes before sunset gives you the best light and enough time to find your spot before the crowd fills in.
What it costs
Entry to Palisades Park is completely free. You don’t need tickets, reservations, or any advance planning beyond just showing up.
Arrive early enough to claim a bench facing the water before the evening crowd fills in, especially on clear days.
Tips for a smooth visit
Park on Ocean Avenue and walk directly into the park from there. Bring a light jacket since the bluff catches the evening breeze more than street level, and temperatures drop faster than you expect once the sun gets low.
5. Shop and snack around Third Street Promenade
Third Street Promenade runs three blocks through the heart of Santa Monica and ranks among the best things to do in Santa Monica for visitors who want to mix shopping, food, and live entertainment in a single stop. The energy carries from morning through late evening, making it a flexible option that fits into almost any point in your day.
What you’ll do
You walk a pedestrian-only street lined with major retail stores, local boutiques, and dozens of food options ranging from fast casual to sit-down restaurants. Street performers work the corners throughout the day, adding a live entertainment layer that makes the walk more interesting than a standard shopping strip.
How long it takes
One to two hours covers the Promenade at a relaxed pace, including a stop for food or coffee. If you plan to sit down for a full meal, budget closer to two and a half hours total.
What it costs
Window shopping costs nothing, but here is a realistic breakdown of what you might spend:
- Casual meal: $15 to $30 per person
- Coffee or snack: $5 to $12
- Shopping: entirely up to you
Tips for a smooth visit
Visit on a weekday afternoon to avoid the weekend foot traffic that makes the Promenade feel significantly more crowded.
Parking structures on 2nd and 4th Streets offer validated parking through many of the shops, so ask before you pay. Wearing comfortable walking shoes matters here since you cover more ground than the three-block stretch suggests.
6. Explore local culture at Bergamot Station
Bergamot Station sits about a mile inland from the beach and gives you access to one of LA’s most respected arts complexes, tucked inside a converted rail yard. It’s one of the genuinely distinctive stops among the best things to do in Santa Monica for visitors who want something beyond the typical beach attractions.
What you’ll do
You wander through a cluster of contemporary art galleries housed in former industrial buildings, with rotating exhibitions that cover painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. The Santa Monica Museum of Art anchors the complex, but the surrounding galleries each run their own independent programming worth exploring on its own terms.
How long it takes
One to two hours gives you enough time to move through the main galleries without rushing. If you plan to sit with the work or visit multiple spaces, budget closer to two and a half hours for a comfortable pace.
What it costs
Most galleries at Bergamot Station are free to enter. Some special exhibitions may charge a small admission fee, but the majority of the complex costs nothing beyond getting there.
Check individual gallery hours before you visit, since some spaces close on Mondays or Tuesdays and schedules vary by exhibition cycle.
Tips for a smooth visit
Arrive by late morning to catch the galleries while foot traffic is light and staff members are available to answer questions about the work. Bring comfortable walking shoes since moving between the separate buildings covers more ground than the layout suggests from the entrance.
Quick wrap-up
Santa Monica rewards visitors who plan ahead and mix the obvious landmarks with a few less-expected stops. The Santa Monica Pier and the Strand give you the classic coastal experience, while Palisades Park and Bergamot Station offer quieter, more personal moments that most tourists walk right past. Third Street Promenade fills in the gaps with food, shopping, and street-level energy that keeps the day interesting.
If you want to get the most out of your time here, a guided tour is the smartest starting point among all the best things to do in Santa Monica. It gives you context, local stories, and a clear sense of the neighborhood before you head out on your own. Another Side Tours builds those experiences for visitors who want more than a checklist. Check out our Los Angeles sightseeing tours and find the option that fits your day.
