Most visitors head straight for the Santa Monica Pier, and sure, it’s worth a stop. But if that’s all you see, you’re missing what makes this coastal city genuinely interesting. The real fun things to do in Santa Monica are scattered across its neighborhoods, hidden along its side streets, and tucked into spots that most tourists walk right past. From offbeat cultural stops to outdoor experiences with actual breathing room, there’s a lot more here than funnel cake and a Ferris wheel.
At Another Side Tours, we’ve spent years showing visitors the Los Angeles that exists beyond the obvious. Santa Monica is one of those places where a little local knowledge changes everything, and that’s exactly what our guides bring to the table. Whether you’re joining one of our private guided tours or exploring on your own, this list will point you toward the experiences worth your time.
Here are six Santa Monica activities that go beyond the usual tourist checklist.
1. Take a guided Santa Monica tour with Another Side Tours
If you want to get the most out of your visit without spending hours figuring out where to go, a guided tour is the fastest way to cover ground with actual context. Another Side Tours runs private and small-group tours throughout Los Angeles, and Santa Monica sits right in the middle of that coverage area.
Why it’s worth your time
Self-guided exploring is fine, but it leaves a lot of gaps. A local expert guide fills those gaps with stories, history, and neighborhood knowledge that no map app will give you. You’ll learn why certain streets look the way they do, what happened in specific locations, and which spots are actually worth stopping at versus which ones are just Instagram bait. Tours through Another Side also move at a pace that works for you, not for a crowd of 40 strangers.
A guided tour doesn’t replace exploration, it gives you a foundation so your own wandering actually makes sense.
How to do it
Book your tour directly through the Another Side Tours website before your trip, especially if you’re visiting during a busy season. Private tours include pickup from your hotel or rental, which means you’re not trying to navigate LA traffic before the tour even starts. The guides cover iconic spots as well as lesser-known areas that most visitors skip entirely, making this one of the more complete fun things to do in Santa Monica if you’re short on time but want to see a lot.
Costs and practical tips
Tour prices vary based on group size and duration, with options starting around $75 per person for shorter experiences and scaling up for private full-day itineraries. A few things worth knowing before you book:
- Book at least a few days in advance during summer months
- Group discounts apply for parties of three or more, so traveling with friends brings the per-person cost down
- Wear comfortable shoes since some stops involve walking
- Bring a jacket, as mornings near the water stay cool even in warmer months
2. Bike the Strand to Venice and back
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, known locally as the Strand, stretches 22 miles along the Southern California coast and gives you one of the best ways to see the shoreline without fighting traffic or paying for parking. Biking this route is one of the most rewarding fun things to do in Santa Monica, and it connects you directly to Venice Beach and its famous boardwalk in under 30 minutes.
Why it’s worth your time
Riding the Strand puts you at water level with an unobstructed ocean view the entire way. The path is mostly flat and paved, making it accessible even if you haven’t been on a bike in years. You’ll pass through distinct neighborhoods and watch the landscape shift from Santa Monica’s quieter beach to Venice’s busier, more chaotic scene.
The ride to Venice and back covers about 6 miles round trip, which takes most people under an hour at a relaxed pace.
How to do it
Start near the pier and head south toward Venice. Bike rental shops line Ocean Front Walk and typically offer hourly or half-day rates. You can also rent e-bikes if you want less effort and more flexibility along the route.
Costs and practical tips
- Rentals run roughly $15-$30 per hour depending on bike type
- Bring water since stops along the mid-route stretch are limited
- Go early on weekends to avoid crowded conditions on the path
3. Explore Bergamot Station Arts Center
Bergamot Station sits about a mile inland from the beach on Michigan Avenue, and most tourists never make it here. That’s a mistake. This converted rail yard now holds around 30 galleries, studios, and cultural spaces packed into low industrial buildings that give the whole complex a raw, warehouse-gallery feel. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Santa Monica that have nothing to do with the ocean, this is your first stop.
Why it’s worth your time
Unlike commercial galleries, Bergamot operates as a genuine arts campus where you can move between exhibitions, catch an opening, or just wander without any pressure to buy. The Santa Monica Museum of Art called this complex home for years, and the gallery mix ranges from established names to emerging local artists, which means every visit turns up something different.
Most galleries are free to enter, making this one of the better no-cost afternoons in the city.
How to do it
Drive or take the Metro E Line to the 26th Street/Bergamot Station stop and walk in from Michigan Avenue. Plan at least 90 minutes so you can move through the galleries without feeling rushed.
Costs and practical tips
- Most gallery admissions are free, though some ticketed events run on weekends
- Hours vary by gallery, but most open Tuesday through Saturday from around 10am to 6pm
- On-site parking is free
- Check individual gallery websites before you visit since hours shift around installations and openings
4. Spend a day at Annenberg Community Beach House
The Annenberg Community Beach House sits on the site of William Randolph Hearst’s former estate on Pacific Coast Highway, and it offers something that most of Santa Monica’s beachfront options don’t: a calm, managed space with real amenities that isn’t overrun by crowds.
Why it’s worth your time
This is one of the genuinely underused fun things to do in Santa Monica, even though it sits right on the water. The facility includes a restored swimming pool, beach access, volleyball courts, and an art gallery, all on a single property. The historic connection to the Hearst estate gives the place a different feel from the rest of the public shoreline.
If you visit midweek, you’ll find the pool and beach areas noticeably quieter than anything near the pier.
How to do it
Reserve your pool access in advance through the Annenberg Beach House website since guest passes fill up quickly during summer. Walk-in access is available for the beach and public areas without a reservation, but the pool requires a confirmed booking. The facility is located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway and has dedicated parking on site.
Costs and practical tips
- Pool guest passes run around $10 per person for Santa Monica residents and slightly more for non-residents
- Beach and gallery access is free
- Arrive early on weekends since parking fills up by mid-morning
- The facility closes seasonally, so check hours before visiting
5. Catch a film at the Aero Theatre
The Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue is one of Santa Monica’s oldest operating cinemas, and it programs a different kind of experience than anything at a multiplex. This is one of those fun things to do in Santa Monica that rewards people who look past the obvious options.
Why it’s worth your time
Retrospective screenings, director Q&As, and curated film series make up the bulk of the Aero’s calendar, and you won’t find this kind of programming anywhere else nearby. The American Cinematheque manages the schedule, which means the selection skews toward classic films, international cinema, and thematic double features.
A night at the Aero feels less like going to the movies and more like attending an actual event.
How to do it
Check the American Cinematheque website for the current schedule before your visit since programming changes frequently. The theatre sits at 1328 Montana Avenue within easy walking distance of the neighborhood’s shops and restaurants, making it a natural anchor for an evening out.
Costs and practical tips
Tickets are affordable compared to most LA movie venues, and the experience punches well above its price point.
- General admission runs around $15-$16 per person
- Member pricing is available through American Cinematheque for frequent visitors
- Arrive 15 minutes early since seating is general admission and good spots go fast
- Street parking on Montana Avenue fills up on weekends, so plan extra time
6. Eat and shop along Main Street in Ocean Park
Main Street runs through the Ocean Park neighborhood in southern Santa Monica and gives you something the busier parts of town don’t: a walkable commercial strip that feels like it actually belongs to the people who live here. Independent restaurants, vintage shops, bookstores, and local boutiques sit side by side across several blocks, making this one of the more satisfying fun things to do in Santa Monica when you want to slow down and browse without a plan.
Why it’s worth your time
Unlike Third Street Promenade, this stretch skips the tourist-facing polish entirely. The shops here are locally owned, and the food options range from casual tacos to sit-down restaurants with actual neighborhood regulars at the tables. You’ll find a solid mix of vintage clothing stores, independent bookshops, and design-focused boutiques packed into a walkable stretch that rewards slow exploration far more than rushing through it.
This is where Santa Monica locals actually spend their afternoons, which tells you something.
How to do it
Park once near the intersection of Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard and walk in both directions from there. Most of what you’ll want sits within a six-block radius, so you won’t need to move your car. Plan for at least two hours if you want time to both browse and eat.
Costs and practical tips
- Street parking is metered but generally available outside of weekend afternoons
- Most shops open by 10am and stay open until early evening
- Bring cash since some of the smaller independent shops don’t accept cards
Quick Santa Monica game plan
Santa Monica rewards visitors who plan ahead and look past the obvious stops. The six activities on this list give you a solid foundation for a real visit, whether you have one day or three. Start with a guided tour to get your bearings, then use the rest of your time to fill in the gaps with the beach ride, arts stops, and neighborhood eats covered above.
The best fun things to do in Santa Monica aren’t hard to find once you know where to look. Each item on this list fits easily into a two or three-day itinerary without rushing or doubling back across town. You don’t need to see everything to have a great trip, but having a plan keeps you from wasting time on the wrong stops. Book a private Los Angeles tour with Another Side Tours to make the most of your time in the city.
