Balancing laid-back beach vibes with a carnivalesque atmosphere, Santa Monica is one of Southern California’s favorite playgrounds. The young at heart find their bliss on its world-famous pier, which features a vintage theme park, while the stylish set flock to the Third Street Promenade for coastal-chic retail therapy. There’s also room to spread out on the city’s wide, flat beach—in fact, it's one of the top things to do in Santa Monica—where outdoor aerobics classes coexist with beach volleyball games, surfers, and sunbathers dipping their toes in the Pacific Ocean.
Summer is always an idyllic time to visit Santa Monica and California in general, but it’s also when prices are higher, and the beaches are packed with visitors. A visit in fall, especially in September, is recommended, as most crowds have headed home in time for school to start. Warmer weather usually lingers until mid-October. If you’re on a budget, visit anytime from December through February when accommodations tend to be more affordable, and the city’s downtown features an ice-skating rink until January.
There are plenty of options for getting around Santa Monica without renting a car, taking a taxi, or using a rideshare. The city itself is walkable, so there’s no need to constantly scour the streets for parking lots, and it also offers a Breeze Bike Share service and e-scooters. If you’re looking to wend your way from the Santa Monica Pier to downtown Los Angeles or other stops, just hop aboard the city’s Metro E (Expo) Line or take the local Big Blue Bus. Guided tours also offer plentiful opportunities for sightseeing with transportation.
Most people flock to Santa Monica for one of the best state beaches in the country and its iconic seaside pier, but the city also is home to many impressive street-art graffiti displays. The city boasts more than a hundred murals (and counting!) packed into its 8.3 square miles (21.5 square kilometers). Some areas worth checking out during your visit include the Third Street Promenade and Ocean Avenue in downtown Santa Monica. First-time visitors may want to start their explorations at 315 Colorado Avenue, as well as take a stroll under the pier.
