Top Santa Monica Arts & Design

Step into the captivating realm of illusions, where reality is never exactly as it appears. Museum of Illusions is a one-of-a-kind, visual, sensory, and educational experience designed to engage your sense of wonder and challenge perceptions through the science behind optical illusions. We offer over 50 immersive, hands-on exhibits to explore. Our illusion rooms, installations and holograms let you defy gravity, grow and shrink your body, walk into a life-size kaleidoscope, and play tricks on your senses at every turn. It’s a mind-bending journey that deceives the senses and reveals how the brain interprets reality.

Explore the very best of Los Angeles' world-famous coastline on a private experience through Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and (on the driving option) Marina del Rey. From the end of historic Route 66 and the iconic Santa Monica Pier to Venice's colorful boardwalk, canals, street art, surf culture, celebrity spots, hidden gems, you'll discover the many sides of California coastal life in one unforgettable journey. Unlike typical beach tours, this experience combines history, architecture, oceanfront scenery, local culture, photography, and off-the-beaten-path discoveries. Enjoy Pacific views, Venice's creative spirit, beautiful canals, palm-lined streets, famous landmarks, and insider stories while exploring the places that define Southern California. Choose between a walking tour of Santa Monica and Venice or a driving experience that also includes Marina del Rey—home to North America's largest man-made small-craft harbor, luxury yachts, waterfront neighborhoods, and hidden marina gems.

Step into Santa Monica’s adventurous side on a 2-hour, 4-mile urban walk that takes you up secret stairways, through canyon paths, and into historic neighborhoods. Along the way, discover unusual coastal trees, striking homes from Craftsman to modern, and hear colorful stories of Hollywood icons and local history. This small-group urban adventure blends movement, discovery, and culture — the perfect way to see Santa Monica from a new perspective. Activity Level: Moderate, includes stair climbs and some elevation Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water Age: Suitable for most guests ages 12+

Set out with locals on a small-group urban expedition through Santa Monica’s hidden gardens, scenic canyons, and historic neighborhoods. Along the walk, you’ll see rare coastal trees, colorful gardens, and homes that tell the city’s story—from early Craftsman cottages to bold modern architecture. Learn how preservation, creativity, and community spirit shaped this seaside town’s most beautiful neighborhoods. This relaxed yet enriching walk blends nature, design, and history into an experience that reveals a Santa Monica most visitors never see. Activity Level: Easy to moderate — steady walking on mostly flat streets Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water Age: Suitable for most guests ages 12+

Set out with locals on a small-group urban expedition through Santa Monica’s hidden gardens, scenic canyons, and historic neighborhoods. Along the walk, you’ll see rare coastal trees, colorful gardens, and homes that tell the city’s story—from early Craftsman cottages to bold modern architecture. Learn how preservation, creativity, and community spirit shaped this seaside town’s most beautiful neighborhoods. This relaxed yet enriching walk blends nature, design, and history into an experience that reveals a Santa Monica most visitors never see. Activity Level: Easy to moderate — steady walking on mostly flat streets Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water Age: Suitable for most guests ages 12+ The Garden Safari expedition departs on Fridays at 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays. There are no restroom stops during the tour. However there are restrooms at the conclusion of the tour.