Plan your trip to Santa Monica

Choose your trip length, interests, and pace to build a flexible Santa Monica itinerary. Add other destinations, compare experiences, and reserve time for travel between stops.

Explore more in California.

When to consider visiting

June–September

Seasonal guidance is a starting point; check weather and dates for your chosen experiences.

Choosing a base

Santa Monica Pier / Downtown: Central, walkable to the beach, shops, restaurants and transit connections. Third Street Promenade / Main Street: Pedestrian shopping and dining with easy access to family-friendly spots and nightlife. Palisades / Ocean Avenue: Quieter, scenic bluff-side area with parks and ocean views.

Experiences to explore

Browse these experiences as a starting point. The planner considers your interests, pace, and published schedules when building your days.

Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More

This 7.5 hour guided tour - by LA-natives - is perfect for families, couples and all ages! Our routes are carefully curated to visit the most welcoming and visitor-friendly parts o…

Approx. 450 minutesView on Viator →

Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus

Your Ticket to The Hollywood Hills on this Interactive Sightseeing Tour on an Open Air Bus with a Fun Driver Guide. Your Drive Guide will take you past Hollywood, Mulholland Drive,…

Approx. 120 minutesView on Viator →

Best of Los Angeles Guided City Tour with 4 Stops and Free Time

Check out the BEST Los Angeles has to offer on this half-day interactive sightseeing experience! Take a seat on one of our Climate-Controlled Buses as your fun and entertaining dri…

Approx. 330 minutesView on Viator →

Best of LA: Hollywood, Griffith, Santa Monica, Venice, and Rodeo

Hotel pickup and drop-off from over 70 hotels in the Anaheim Resort Area and 150 hotels in the Los Angeles area. This is a fun and fantastic experience of the area’s most iconic si…

Approx. 540 minutesView on Viator →

Malibu Open-Air Tour from Santa Monica with Celebrity Homes

Discover the beauty of Malibu on this 2-hour open-air sightseeing tour along California's legendary Pacific Coast Highway (PCH.). Departing from Santa Monica, you'll enjoy breathta…

Approx. 120 minutesView on Viator →

Small-Group Electric Bike Tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach

Try something new on your Los Angeles vacation! See places you can’t get to in your car or on a tour bus as you try out a unique and fun activity – riding an electric bicycle with …

Approx. 180 minutesView on Viator →

Make room for the trip you want

Start with the number of days you have, then choose an unhurried, balanced, or fuller pace. Review the suggested route before generating your daily plan. Transport allowances are estimates; confirm services and meeting points before booking.

Save your trip with or without an account, share a read-only link, or download a PDF with booking and map links.