Guidebook for Santa Monica
Sightseeing
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierTake a ride on the rollercoaster on the pier!
Fun to walk along or bike. Also, a great place to learn to surf! Talk to one of the vendors on the boardwalk
1387 locals recommend
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkFun to walk along or bike. Also, a great place to learn to surf! Talk to one of the vendors on the boardwalk
Check out these man-made canals built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as part of his Venice of America plan. Kinney sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy, in Southern CA.
947 locals recommend
Venice Canals
Check out these man-made canals built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as part of his Venice of America plan. Kinney sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy, in Southern CA.
Grab a towel, sun block and a good book and head out to enjoy the So Cal scenery with picturesque Santa Monica Beaches, which stretch for 3.5 miles between Venice and Malibu.
169 locals recommend
Santa Monica State Beach
Grab a towel, sun block and a good book and head out to enjoy the So Cal scenery with picturesque Santa Monica Beaches, which stretch for 3.5 miles between Venice and Malibu.
Jog or walk this slender, 26-acre park set on a cliff, ranging from Colorado Avenue to north of San Vicente Boulevard. Take in breathtaking views of the Bay (Palos Verdes Peninsula to Malibu).
130 locals recommend
Palisades Park
Ocean AvenueJog or walk this slender, 26-acre park set on a cliff, ranging from Colorado Avenue to north of San Vicente Boulevard. Take in breathtaking views of the Bay (Palos Verdes Peninsula to Malibu).
Drinks & Nightlife
Fun bar to walk to to start an adventure on main st, which has dozens of eateries and bars for everyone.
54 locals recommend
Areal Restaurant
2820 Main StreetFun bar to walk to to start an adventure on main st, which has dozens of eateries and bars for everyone.
Located right on the famous Venice Boardwalk, they offer over 30 craft beers on tap, local California wines, and a full menu of organic and sustainable food.
321 locals recommend
The Commons Ale House
129 BroadwayLocated right on the famous Venice Boardwalk, they offer over 30 craft beers on tap, local California wines, and a full menu of organic and sustainable food.
This place is known for its “library of ales and beers,” and its American American classic cuisine. It is located on Main Street in Santa Monica, walking distance from our place.
96 locals recommend
Library Alehouse
2911 Main StThis place is known for its “library of ales and beers,” and its American American classic cuisine. It is located on Main Street in Santa Monica, walking distance from our place.
Neighborhood hangout/eatery with extensive beer list. The beer bar serves 12 taps and 90 bottled brews, along with a menu of Los Angeles-inspired dishes, many of which are Oscar’s Mama’s recipes.
181 locals recommend
Cerveteca
523 Rose AveNeighborhood hangout/eatery with extensive beer list. The beer bar serves 12 taps and 90 bottled brews, along with a menu of Los Angeles-inspired dishes, many of which are Oscar’s Mama’s recipes.
Casual and intimate, beach-side neighborhood wine bar. Cheese selections are a must and pair nicely with any wine or beer from a $5-20 list.
192 locals recommend
Venice Beach Wines
529 Rose AveCasual and intimate, beach-side neighborhood wine bar. Cheese selections are a must and pair nicely with any wine or beer from a $5-20 list.
Below the grand Victorian, this lively little basement is a damn good time. It has live band(s), craft cocktails and comfy seating. But I'm probably biased...this is where Anne and I met.
83 locals recommend
Basement Tavern
2640 Main StBelow the grand Victorian, this lively little basement is a damn good time. It has live band(s), craft cocktails and comfy seating. But I'm probably biased...this is where Anne and I met.
Arts & Culture
The world-famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard has been called the “coolest block in America”. Visit eclectic boutiques, artisan eateries and art galleries infused the with local flavor.
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardThe world-famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard has been called the “coolest block in America”. Visit eclectic boutiques, artisan eateries and art galleries infused the with local flavor.
Sundays visit the Farmers Market for free music and great people watching.
162 locals recommend
Santa Monica Sunday Main Street Farmers Markets
2640 Main StSundays visit the Farmers Market for free music and great people watching.
Food Scene
Quintessentially Venice for nearly 20 years, the Rose Café is a bohemian coffeehouse, a beachy self-service café, a bakery and a charming brunch spot.
347 locals recommend
The Rose Venice
220 Rose AveQuintessentially Venice for nearly 20 years, the Rose Café is a bohemian coffeehouse, a beachy self-service café, a bakery and a charming brunch spot.
Upscale artsy neighborhood restaurant showcasing house made pastas, small plate snacks, and an ode to vegetables.
92 locals recommend
Superba Snack Bar
Upscale artsy neighborhood restaurant showcasing house made pastas, small plate snacks, and an ode to vegetables.
Delicious local coffee from one of Southern California's first certified organic roasteries.
300 locals recommend
Groundwork Coffee Co.
671 Rose AveDelicious local coffee from one of Southern California's first certified organic roasteries.
Great local spot. Recently Voted one of the 10 Great Old-School Mexican Restaurants in L.A. by LA Weekly. Check out the patio in the back.
119 locals recommend
La Cabaña
738 Rose AveGreat local spot. Recently Voted one of the 10 Great Old-School Mexican Restaurants in L.A. by LA Weekly. Check out the patio in the back.
If you love tequila or homemade tortillas - this is the place. They have one of the largest selections in the world (250 Tequilas), live music, and a cart that makes fresh margaritas table-side.
70 locals recommend
Casablanca
220 Lincoln BlvdIf you love tequila or homemade tortillas - this is the place. They have one of the largest selections in the world (250 Tequilas), live music, and a cart that makes fresh margaritas table-side.
Flake
513 Rose AveCute local brunch spot.
Colorful shack serving Caribbean food next to the beach. Great jerk chicken and fried bananas. BYOB.
83 locals recommend
Cha Cha Chicken
1906 Ocean AveColorful shack serving Caribbean food next to the beach. Great jerk chicken and fried bananas. BYOB.
Stella Barra Pizzeria
2000 Main StDelicious artisan pizzas.
Great people watching, organic coffees, and fine teas. Featured in the show "Entourage."
256 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StGreat people watching, organic coffees, and fine teas. Featured in the show "Entourage."
If you like hole-in-the walls with character, go for happy hour or dinner at this ship-themed spot. Food is good, ambiance is fun and old school. It's like dining on an ship version of Cheers.
55 locals recommend
The Galley
2442 Main StIf you like hole-in-the walls with character, go for happy hour or dinner at this ship-themed spot. Food is good, ambiance is fun and old school. It's like dining on an ship version of Cheers.
Lula Cocina Mexicana
2720 Main StLively Mexican food on Main Street with lethal margaritas.
Shopping
This is a pedestrian‐only boulevard with street performers, entertainers, and lots of shopping. This is s fun place to catch a movie and take a walk.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeThis is a pedestrian‐only boulevard with street performers, entertainers, and lots of shopping. This is s fun place to catch a movie and take a walk.
Upscale, 10‐block open‐air, retail destination lined with boutiques. Angelinos come here to get coffee, lunch with friends, or shop.
141 locals recommend
Montana Avenue
Montana AvenueUpscale, 10‐block open‐air, retail destination lined with boutiques. Angelinos come here to get coffee, lunch with friends, or shop.
Entertainment & Activities
The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is home to dozens of species of marine animals and plants. Children under 12 get in free when accompanied by an adult (suggested donation).
36 locals recommend
Heal the Bay Aquarium
1600 Ocean Front WalkThe Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is home to dozens of species of marine animals and plants. Children under 12 get in free when accompanied by an adult (suggested donation).
Enjoy gardens, public art, exhibitions, volleyball, beach tennis, and a playground at the newly unveiled Annenberg Community Beach House, the only public beach house in the United States.
152 locals recommend
Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast HwyEnjoy gardens, public art, exhibitions, volleyball, beach tennis, and a playground at the newly unveiled Annenberg Community Beach House, the only public beach house in the United States.
Everything Else
The original Muscle Beach beckons visitors to test their strength and work on their beach body in an open‐air gym. Test out the fully restored chinning bars, parallel bars, rings and small jungle gyms
234 locals recommend
Muscle Beach Venice
1800 Ocean Front WalkThe original Muscle Beach beckons visitors to test their strength and work on their beach body in an open‐air gym. Test out the fully restored chinning bars, parallel bars, rings and small jungle gyms