10 Best Things to Do in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Pier is an iconic sight from day to night. The sight of the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel lit up above the Pacific Ocean is very popular among photographers. You can take a ride and soar high above the waves. Did you know this is the only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world?

There’s plenty to do at Santa Monica Pier no matter the time of day. There's a historic merry-go-round dating back to 1916 and a rollercoaster that propels you over the waves. You can even find a vast arcade decked out with all the classics. Bring the kids and allow a few hours for this multisensory experience.

Santa Monica State Beach is, in a word, expansive. Don't worry about finding the best place to spread out your blanket here – a good spot is virtually guaranteed even on busy summer days. Add to that the incredible sunset shining through the palm trees and you've gotten a beach that you won't soon forget.

Downtown Los Angeles is so close that you can easily skip to the beach in your spare time. Even so, you might find yourself staying all day for surfing, bathing, and the abundance of facilities. This is the kind of place where the day doesn't have to end.

The Georgian Hotel is not only second-to-none when it comes to accommodations – but it is also a sight in and of itself. The Art Deco architecture evokes Tinseltown nostalgia, walking you back through nearly a century of LA history.

If you choose to stay in the Georgian Hotel, you gain the luxury of being a stone's throw from several key Santa Monica attractions, like the popular Santa Monica Beach. There’s nothing like starting the night with a mixed drink on the veranda to your own private sunset view.

The Camera Obscura in Santa Monica is nothing less than a piece of 1898 art history. Much of what you see of history is reconstructed or renovated, but here, you can experience the photographic technology of the 19th century as it existed at that time. There's a small room with a white disk and a wheel, which you can use to steer the lens and mirror fixed in the turret above. The result is an image projected onto the disk.

Think of the ingenuity it took to arrive at this point, and then the leaps and bounds that allowed the image to be captured. It’s fitting that such a monument should be located so close to Hollywood. Visit the adjoining Art Lab for a 1-time art lesson during your visit. 

The Original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica is a monument to the physical fitness boom of the 20th century. The Great Depression took opportunities away from many, so a space where Hollywood-adjacent cast and crew could train for free was a fortuitous convenience. Even so, no one foresaw it turning into a cultural phenomenon.

Muscle Beach, a pun on the informal ex-moniker Mussel Beach, became a social hub where many famous people crossed paths and made names for themselves. The original gym is not there, but parallel bars and other stationary equipment ensure you can still work up a good sweat.

The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, or the Strand, offers up a dozen-course meal of California beaches. Cycling on this 21-mile bike trail is a great way to sample every local neighbourhood while staying in shape.

Note that this is a casual bike trail, so expect to take it easy and enjoy the sights. Most of the trail is paved and wide, so it’s fit for just about all ages and experience levels. Bike rental is available throughout the trail. Some of its most popular stops include Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach, Torrance, and Manhattan Beach.

Palisades Park goes on and on – a narrow strip of land that extends for a mile and a half with panoramic views and beautiful scenery to spare. It might not seem like much, but you’ll be stopping often and walking slowly – that's the only way to take it all in.

The first thing you'll notice when visiting Palisades Park is the trees. There are so many of such varying shapes and sizes that you may not even notice some of the beach views. Suffice it to say, this is a breathtaking place to spend an afternoon in Santa Monica.

Third Street Promenade sits just a few blocks back from the shore and offers an electric alfresco shopping experience. Los Angeles’ lovely balmy weather brings folks here in droves, only stopping the shopping to gawk at a street performer or catching up for coffee with friends.

The pedestrian-only thoroughfare has gotten everything from fancy big-name boutiques to fresh farmer’s market produce and a bewildering array of knick-knacks. The popular Santa Monica Place lies at the upper end, from where you can beat the traffic going downtown by hopping on the Metro Expo Line.

Chez Jay is that divine combination of a divey, unpretentious interior and delicious food. It’s hard not to have a good time here with its jovial and no-nonsense staff serving up unbelievable steaks and creative cocktails.

The banter may be unpalatable to some, but that's only because, at Chez Jay, they know the food is gourmet even if the tablecloths are checkered. The confidence of this eatery needs no outside validation – just like LA. If you're looking for a piece of California's heart, Chez Jay is a place built on reputation alone.