10 Things You Won’t Want To Miss In Santa Monica, California

If you are planning a trip to Los Angeles, California, you’ll definitely want to make a trip to Santa Monica. The city is probably most famous for its iconic pier. This 100-year-old landmark has become a symbol of California thanks to its colorful rides and many appearances on the silver screen. You might recognize the Santa Monica pier from films such as Titanic and Forrest Gump, or may be familiar with the pier as the end point of the historic Route 66.

Santa Monica truly is a perfect place to spend a day or the afternoon while in LA. To help you plan your trip, I’ve compiled my top 10 things to do in the lively and historic beachside town of Santa Monica!

1. Visit the iconic Santa Monica Pier

A visit to Los Angeles wouldn’t be complete without making a stop at the historic Santa Monica Pier! The entrance isn’t hard to miss, with a prominent blue archway welcoming visitors to the historic pier. You’ll want to allow time to stroll down the pier, and I highly suggest arriving early if you are looking to get great photos or escape the crowd of tourists you are sure to find there. I went around midday, and definitely struggled to get tourist-free shots!

2. Ride the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel

One of the most notable features of the Santa Monica Pier is Pacific Park, a (very) small amusement park located right on the pier! Grab some tickets (which cost between $5-$10) and choose from rides like the Ferris Wheel, the West Coaster (how punny!), or my personal favorite, the Sea Dragon. Learn more about rides, hours, and prices here.

3. Record your arrival at the end of Route 66

One of my favorite things about the Santa Monica pier is the fact that it is the endpoint of the historic Route 66. This landmark is particularly symbolic for me, as I am from Chicago, IL (where Route 66 begins), and spent 4 years living in and falling in love with California, where Route 66 ends. I couldn’t resist snapping a photo, and neither should you!

4. Hit the beach

What good would a visit to the pier be without stepping foot on the sand below? Santa Monica Beach, though very touristy, is a lovely place to take a stroll or soak up some sun. Warning: in the summer the beach can get extremely crowded, so if you’d like a more relaxed beach experience, you may want to consider heading elsewhere.

5. Take in the views from Palisades Park

Just before the pier entrance, you’ll find Palisades Park, a lovely 26-acre park that stretches for over 1.5 miles of the Santa Monica Coast. The park is not only home to stunning views but also has a variety of plants and palm trees, as well as benches perfect for taking a break or people watching. It won’t take long to walk through the park, and I highly recommend wandering around it.

6. Shop ’till you drop on the 3rd Street Promenade

If you enjoy shopping, then you will love the Santa Monica Promenade. The 3rd street promenade has a variety of stores and is perfect for an outdoor mall-like shopping experience! I also loved the unique dinosaur fountains and sculptures I found there. Warning: this Promenade could be dangerous for a shopaholic!

7. Satisfy your coffee addiction at a trendy cafe

One of my favorite things about California is the variety of trendy and delicious cafes and places to eat. Fortunately, Santa Monica is filled with tons of options to satisfy your hunger! One of my favorite places to pop in for a yummy coffee, breakfast, or dessert is Urth Cafe. There are several locations throughout SoCal, so if you don’t quite have time while you are in Santa Monica, you can still enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. Check out their website for more details.

8. Visit Venice Beach

Okay, okay, Venice technically isn’t in Santa Monica, but it is still totally worth visiting and is just next door. A short drive (or even a longer walk) will take you to this quirky beach location. You can check out the fun and funky vibes, and enjoy the characters and street performers you are sure to find there. You also won’t want to miss the famous Venice canals, modeled after the canals of Venice, Italy. (After one year living in Italy, you just know I had to get my Italy fix in California somehow!)

9. See the iconic Muscle Beach

While the Muscle Beach we know today is located on Venice Beach, the original muscle beach begun in 1934 actually began in Santa Monica! Today, you can find a sign demarcating the former muscle beach in Santa Monica. Once the original location closed, Muscle Beach Venice as we know it today was born. Fitness legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger once frequented this location. Come for a workout (a day pass is just $10) or to simply see the site and dream about working out every day with a view of the Pacific!

10. Hit the town + have some fun!

Santa Monica has a variety of places to go out for an evening and experience a taste of the SoCal nightlife scene. Start your evening on Main Street, where many of Santa Monica’s most popular bars are located, and see where the night takes you! You may even spot a celebrity or two, (it is California after all!).

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Have you been to Santa Monica? Which of these is a must for you?! Let me know in the comments!

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