Guidebook for Santa Monica
Shopping
Outdoor shopping & dining area blocked off to cars. Close to the beach.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeOutdoor shopping & dining area blocked off to cars. Close to the beach.
The outdoor mall at the end of the 3rd Street Promenade, with upscale stores & dining. Restaurants offer outdoor seating, with fresh breezes coming off the ocean.
178 locals recommend
Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica PlaceThe outdoor mall at the end of the 3rd Street Promenade, with upscale stores & dining. Restaurants offer outdoor seating, with fresh breezes coming off the ocean.
Sightseeing
A busy pier right on the beach, fun for tourists, families , and couples. Boardwalk on the pier has a small amusement park, restaurants, vendors, live music, and beautiful views of the ocean. There is also a small playground on the beach below, and you can walk or ride bikes on the long stretch of coastline.
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierA busy pier right on the beach, fun for tourists, families , and couples. Boardwalk on the pier has a small amusement park, restaurants, vendors, live music, and beautiful views of the ocean. There is also a small playground on the beach below, and you can walk or ride bikes on the long stretch of coastline.
The Venice Beach boardwalk is open-year round with street vendors and small shops & restaurants all along the coast. A more relaxed, hippie vibe among the locals. Weekends are very busy and parking is more difficult to find.
9 locals recommend
Venice Boulevard
Venice BoulevardThe Venice Beach boardwalk is open-year round with street vendors and small shops & restaurants all along the coast. A more relaxed, hippie vibe among the locals. Weekends are very busy and parking is more difficult to find.
Open to the public, the Venice canals are a group of waterways nestled among nice houses, behind the famous Venice Beach boardwalk. Walk the pathway to enjoy nice gardens and a more serene alternative to the busy vendors on the boulevard.
947 locals recommend
Venice Canals
Open to the public, the Venice canals are a group of waterways nestled among nice houses, behind the famous Venice Beach boardwalk. Walk the pathway to enjoy nice gardens and a more serene alternative to the busy vendors on the boulevard.
If you feel like going for a drive, the "PCH" takes you up along the California coastline, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Get on Hwy 1 at any point, and take it north to Malibu, stopping at any of the beaches along the way. (Disregard the map; you can get on from Ocean Ave or the 10 freeway.)
37 locals recommend
Pacific Coast Highway
2186 CA-1If you feel like going for a drive, the "PCH" takes you up along the California coastline, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Get on Hwy 1 at any point, and take it north to Malibu, stopping at any of the beaches along the way. (Disregard the map; you can get on from Ocean Ave or the 10 freeway.)
Parks & Nature
A nature area in the Santa Monica mountains, with a nice hiking trail that leads to views of the ocean. Mild-to-moderate intensity, as it goes uphill.
277 locals recommend
Topanga State Park
20828 Entrada RdA nature area in the Santa Monica mountains, with a nice hiking trail that leads to views of the ocean. Mild-to-moderate intensity, as it goes uphill.
Hiking trails, picnic spots, and a small waterfall area. Various trails to choose from- quiet hikes for couples, or easy hikes for kids & families. A mix of shade & sun in the Santa Monica mountains.
151 locals recommend
Malibu Creek State Park
1925 Las Virgenes RoadHiking trails, picnic spots, and a small waterfall area. Various trails to choose from- quiet hikes for couples, or easy hikes for kids & families. A mix of shade & sun in the Santa Monica mountains.
Located along Ocean Avenue, this is a long stretch of greenery with beautiful views of the ocean. Good for jogging, walking pets, or enjoying a sunset stroll.
130 locals recommend
Palisades Park
Ocean AvenueLocated along Ocean Avenue, this is a long stretch of greenery with beautiful views of the ocean. Good for jogging, walking pets, or enjoying a sunset stroll.
Essentials
Walgreens
1932 Wilshire BlvdWalkable from the condo (just a couple blocks down, about 3-5 minutes).
73 locals recommend
Co-opportunity
1525 BroadwayWalkable from the condo (just a couple blocks down, about 3-5 minutes).
A nice, big grocery store with decent parking. About a 5-minute drive from the condo.
503 locals recommend
Ralphs
1644 Cloverfield BlvdA nice, big grocery store with decent parking. About a 5-minute drive from the condo.
Chevron Santa Monica
1330 Santa Monica BlvdGas station, only a couple minutes from the condo.
Food Scene
Nice, big seafood restaurant close to the water. Trendy maritime decor and a nice bar. Good for families & couples.
104 locals recommend
Water Grill
544 S Grand AveNice, big seafood restaurant close to the water. Trendy maritime decor and a nice bar. Good for families & couples.
Outdoor market of fresh local produce, every Sunday morning in Heritage Square
34 locals recommend
Santa Monica Wednesday Downtown Farmers Market
155-199 Arizona AveOutdoor market of fresh local produce, every Sunday morning in Heritage Square
Local cafe within walking distance. Outdoor patio and affordable breakfast & lunch options.
16 locals recommend
18th Street Coffee House
1677 BroadwayLocal cafe within walking distance. Outdoor patio and affordable breakfast & lunch options.
Stout Burgers and Beers
111 Santa Monica BlvdCasual, popular spot for burgers & beer.
Large, popular restaurant known for healthy food options. Good for families with kids, but also serves beer & wine.
95 locals recommend
True Food Kitchen
395 Santa Monica PlLarge, popular restaurant known for healthy food options. Good for families with kids, but also serves beer & wine.
Drinks & Nightlife
Popular bar on the 3rd Street Promenade. Good if you're looking for a busy place with bustling nightlife. Can also walk around the promenade afterwards.
199 locals recommend
The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
225 Santa Monica BlvdPopular bar on the 3rd Street Promenade. Good if you're looking for a busy place with bustling nightlife. Can also walk around the promenade afterwards.
Popular for cocktails & dimly-lit ambiance. Located off the 3rd Street Promenade.
26 locals recommend
Copa d'Oro
217 BroadwayPopular for cocktails & dimly-lit ambiance. Located off the 3rd Street Promenade.
Arts & Culture
A popular, modern-style museum located atop the 405 freeway, with a nice view of LA from the outdoor grassy area. Family-friendly.
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrA popular, modern-style museum located atop the 405 freeway, with a nice view of LA from the outdoor grassy area. Family-friendly.
Unlike the main Getty museum, the Villa is a recreation of an old Italian estate, and is located off the Pacific Coast Highway. It features outdoor gardens & indoor exhibits, and is quieter & less crowded. The drive up is nice, as it takes you along the coastline with beautiful views of the ocean.
166 locals recommend
Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyUnlike the main Getty museum, the Villa is a recreation of an old Italian estate, and is located off the Pacific Coast Highway. It features outdoor gardens & indoor exhibits, and is quieter & less crowded. The drive up is nice, as it takes you along the coastline with beautiful views of the ocean.