Santa Monica sits at the edge of LA with some of the best stretches of coastline, iconic pier views, and a walkable downtown that most visitors only scratch the surface of. The problem? Without a plan, you’ll spend half your beach day stuck in traffic or wandering aimlessly past the same souvenir shops. That’s exactly why santa monica tour packages exist, they take the guesswork out and let you actually enjoy the place.
At Another Side Tours, we’ve spent years guiding visitors through Los Angeles neighborhoods that deserve more than a drive-by. Our local expert guides know Santa Monica block by block, the hidden restaurants, the best golden-hour photo spots, the streets where the crowds thin out and the real character of the city shows up. We’ve built tours specifically designed to go beyond the postcards.
This article breaks down six tour packages worth considering for your next LA beach day. Whether you’re after a chill afternoon on the boardwalk or a full-day experience that covers Santa Monica and its surrounding neighborhoods, you’ll find options at different price points and styles. Let’s get into the details that actually matter when choosing the right one.
1. Another Side Tours private Santa Monica day
The private Santa Monica day tour from Another Side Tours is built around giving you full access to the neighborhood without fighting traffic or wasting half your day on logistics. This is the most flexible of all our santa monica tour packages, designed to move at your pace and focus on what genuinely interests you and your group.
What you’ll do and see
Your guide takes you through Santa Monica’s most recognizable landmarks, including the iconic Santa Monica Pier, the Third Street Promenade, and Palisades Park with its sweeping views of the Pacific. Beyond the main sights, you’ll also get local context and stories on the streets and architecture that most visitors walk past without knowing what they’re looking at or why it matters.
Knowing the history behind Santa Monica’s pier and its neighborhood shifts the whole experience from a photo stop into something you’ll actually remember.
Who this package fits best
This tour works well for first-time visitors to LA who want a solid, guided introduction to what the city’s west side has to offer. It also suits couples, small families, and solo travelers who prefer a private setting over a group tour format where you’re moving at someone else’s pace.
Timing, duration, and pacing
Tours run year-round, with morning departures generally offering better light for photos and fewer crowds along the pier and boardwalk. Most private Santa Monica day tours run three to five hours, giving you enough time to cover the major highlights without feeling like you’re being rushed from one stop to the next.
What’s included and key logistics
Your booking includes a certified local guide, private transportation, and a curated route. You won’t need to arrange separate transport or navigate parking in one of LA’s trickier coastal areas. Hotel pickup is included from most central LA locations, so you can focus on the experience rather than the logistics.
Price range and what changes the cost
Private tours start at a higher per-person rate than group options, which reflects the dedicated guide time and flexible itinerary. Cost adjusts based on group size and total duration, with larger parties often bringing the individual price down considerably. Adding extended stops or a longer route will shift the total upward.
2. Santa Monica and Venice e-bike tour package
The e-bike tour covering Santa Monica and Venice gives you the best of both neighborhoods in one session, moving at a pace that a walking tour simply can’t match. You cover more ground, stay comfortable on the bike paths, and still have plenty of time to stop and take in the details that make this stretch of LA coastline worth the trip.
What you’ll do and see
Your guide leads you along the famous Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as The Strand, stopping at the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Boardwalk, and Muscle Beach. You’ll ride through Venice’s canal district, a quieter side of the neighborhood that most visitors skip entirely.
The canals in Venice were built in 1905 as a recreation of Venice, Italy, and they remain one of LA’s most underrated spots.
Who this package fits best
This tour suits active travelers and couples who want to cover both neighborhoods without feeling locked into a slow pace. It works well for anyone who enjoys being outdoors and on the move rather than sitting in a vehicle.
Timing, duration, and pacing
Most e-bike tours run two to three hours with a morning or midday start, keeping you on the path before afternoon crowds build up near the boardwalk.
What’s included and key logistics
Your booking covers the e-bike rental, helmet, and guide, so you don’t need to source equipment separately. These santa monica tour packages typically include a brief orientation before you set off.
Price range and what changes the cost
Pricing depends on group size and tour duration, with per-person rates dropping for larger groups booking together.
3. Santa Monica and Venice Segway tour package
The Segway tour through Santa Monica and Venice is one of the most memorable ways to cover coastal LA, putting you above the crowd level and giving your guide room to lead the group at a smooth, consistent pace. These santa monica tour packages work particularly well when you want something a little different from a standard walking or biking experience.
What you’ll do and see
Your guide takes you along the beachfront path connecting Santa Monica and Venice, rolling past the pier, the boardwalk, and Muscle Beach before turning into some of Venice’s quieter residential streets that most visitors never reach on foot. You’ll stop at key points for photos and local commentary.
Segways let you cover a route in under three hours that would take twice as long on foot, without cutting any of the worthwhile stops.
Who this package fits best
This tour suits travelers who want a guided experience with a bit of novelty built in. It’s also a strong pick for groups that include people who might find a long walk tiring but still want to be outdoors and actively moving through the neighborhood.
Timing, duration, and pacing
Most Segway tours run two to three hours, with a short training session at the start to get comfortable on the equipment before heading out.
What’s included and key logistics
Your booking covers the Segway rental, safety gear, and a certified guide for the full duration of the tour.
Price range and what changes the cost
Rates vary based on group size and route length, with larger groups typically lowering the per-person cost.
4. Santa Monica to Malibu coast tour package
The Santa Monica to Malibu coast tour stretches your day well beyond the pier, taking you north along one of the most scenic coastal drives in California. This route gives you a completely different perspective on LA than most visitors get, combining beach access with dramatic cliff views and quieter stretches of Pacific Coast Highway.
What you’ll do and see
Your guide drives you north from Santa Monica along Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at key Malibu landmarks including the Getty Villa, El Matador State Beach, and the Malibu Pier. These stops deliver dramatic ocean views and photo opportunities that the Santa Monica strip simply can’t offer.
El Matador State Beach sits on a bluff above sea caves and rock formations that make it one of the most photographed beaches on the California coast.
Who this package fits best
This tour suits travelers who’ve already seen the Santa Monica Pier or anyone wanting a more scenic, less crowded experience along the coast. It’s also a strong fit for visitors who prioritize coastal photography opportunities beyond the typical boardwalk shots.
Timing, duration, and pacing
Santa monica tour packages that extend north to Malibu typically run four to five hours, with afternoon departures often catching better light along the cliffs.
What’s included and key logistics
Your booking covers private transportation and a certified guide for the full route, with hotel pickup included from most central LA locations.
Price range and what changes the cost
Pricing scales with group size and any added stops, with larger parties reducing the per-person rate considerably.
5. Hollywood and Santa Monica combo day package
The Hollywood and Santa Monica combo is the right pick if you want to cover two of LA’s most iconic neighborhoods in a single day without piecing together transportation on your own. These santa monica tour packages combine the entertainment history of Hollywood with the coastal energy of the beachfront in one well-paced itinerary.
What you’ll do and see
Your guide takes you through Hollywood’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Griffith Observatory viewpoint before heading west to Santa Monica. Once at the coast, you’ll hit the pier, Palisades Park, and the Third Street Promenade, giving you a full range of experiences across both areas.
Combining Hollywood and Santa Monica in a single tour lets you see the full contrast of Los Angeles, from its entertainment industry roots to its laid-back beach culture, without losing a full day to logistics.
Who this package fits best
This tour works best for first-time LA visitors who want maximum coverage without booking multiple separate tours. It’s a strong fit for groups and families looking for variety across their itinerary.
Timing, duration, and pacing
Most combo packages run five to seven hours, with a Hollywood start and a Santa Monica finish that lines up with late afternoon light along the coast.
What’s included and key logistics
Your booking covers private transportation, a certified guide, and hotel pickup from most central LA locations.
Price range and what changes the cost
Pricing scales with group size and optional add-ons, with larger groups reducing the per-person cost significantly.
6. Luxury limousine Santa Monica sunset package
The luxury limousine package turns your Santa Monica beach day into something far above the standard sightseeing experience. You arrive in style, your guide handles every detail, and the entire outing is built around comfort and timing that makes the most of the California coast at golden hour.
What you’ll do and see
Your driver and guide take you through Santa Monica’s most scenic routes, stopping at Palisades Park for unobstructed sunset views and the pier for photos as the light drops over the Pacific. These santa monica tour packages are specifically timed so you’re in the best position along the coastline when the light is at its most dramatic.
A Santa Monica sunset viewed from Palisades Park, with the pier lit up below, is one of those LA moments that no photo fully captures.
Who this package fits best
This tour suits couples celebrating a special occasion, small groups looking for a premium outing, or anyone who simply wants a higher-end experience without any of the typical logistics headaches.
Timing, duration, and pacing
The tour departs in the late afternoon, typically two to three hours before sunset, and runs for two to three hours to capture the full golden hour.
What’s included and key logistics
Your booking covers private limousine transportation, a certified guide, and hotel pickup from most central LA locations.
Price range and what changes the cost
Pricing reflects the premium vehicle and exclusive experience, with rates adjusting based on group size and any requested route additions.
Next steps for booking your beach day
You now have six clear options for spending a day on the LA coast, each built around a different pace, budget, and experience. The right choice comes down to what you want to prioritize: coverage, comfort, novelty, or a mix of all three. Santa monica tour packages range widely in what they offer, so matching the tour to your group makes the biggest difference in how your day actually goes.
Your best next move is to reach out directly so we can confirm availability and answer any questions specific to your travel dates or group size. Another Side Tours handles all the logistics, from hotel pickup to certified local guides, so you won’t need to piece anything together on your own. Book your Los Angeles tour or contact us to start planning a beach day that holds up well past the trip itself.
