Santa Monica Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Santa Monica tours and things to do on the sunny Los Angeles coast: cruise the pier and the beach path on an electric bike to Venice, walk the historic Santa Monica Pier, tour Hollywood and celebrity homes, and escape to Malibu wine country. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
rating
Explore Santa Monica by interest
Whatever brings you to Santa Monica — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Santa Monica
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Venice Beach
Boardwalk & canals.
Santa Monica Pier
Rides & Route 66.
Los Angeles
The best of LA.
Hollywood
Stars & mansions.
Museum of Illusions
Trick your eyes.
Malibu Wine
Vines & views.
Private Tour
On your terms.
Santa Monica
The LA coast.
To Venice awayBeach Bike
Coast on wheels.
Santa Monica awayThe Pier
Rides & Route 66.
Half day awayLos Angeles
The best of LA.
LA awayHollywood
Stars & mansions.
The Pier awayMuseum of Illusions
Trick your eyes.
45 min awayMalibu Wine
Vines & views.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Santa Monica visitor asks before booking.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and sunny — peak beach season.
Peak
Summer and holidays draw the crowds.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild, fresh and quieter.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Warm sea and fewer people.
For the beach
June to October for the warmest days.
Best overall
April to June and September to October.
One day
A beach bike ride and the pier.
Two days
Add a Hollywood or LA tour.
Three+ days
Add Malibu wine country.
For the coast
Bike rides and the pier.
For LA
Hollywood and city tours.
For wine
A Malibu day trip.
On foot
The pier, beach and Third Street are walkable.
By bike
The beach path is perfect for cycling to Venice.
By light rail
The Metro E Line links Santa Monica and Downtown LA.
By tour
Tours reach Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Malibu.
Where to stay
Stay near the pier or Third Street Promenade.
US dollar
Santa Monica uses the US dollar; cards are accepted everywhere.
Bike rides
Book an electric bike to reach Venice easily.
The Pier
Buy Pacific Park ride wristbands in advance.
Hollywood
Choose an open-top tour for the best photos.
Malibu
Book a small-group wine tour with transport.
Light rail
Ride the E Line to Downtown LA to skip traffic.
Combos
Some tours pair the beach with Hollywood.
Bike tours
Small-group rides fill up — book ahead.
Hollywood tours
Open-top tours fill up — reserve early.
LA city tours
Popular tours fill up — book ahead.
Malibu wine
Small-group trips fill up — reserve early.
Illusions
Weekend tickets sell out — book ahead.
Summer peak
Summer is busiest — book far ahead.
Beach bike
From about $89 for a small-group bike tour.
Pier audio tour
From $8 for a self-guided walk.
LA city tour
Around $69 for a half-day LA tour.
Hollywood tour
About $59 for a celebrity-homes tour.
Malibu wine
From $179 for a wine-country trip.
How to save
Use self-guided audio tours and ride the light rail into LA.
Santa Monica through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Mild & quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cooler.
- Best for
- Fresh days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
- Best for
- Beach season.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Busy.
- Best for
- Warm sea.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.