Best Things To Do in Santa Monica, California

Are you looking for what to do in Santa Monica?

PLACES TO SEE

From the Santa Monica Pier to the Bergamot Station, from the sandy beaches to the magnificent mountains, there is a lot to do when you visit Santa Monica. Major Santa Monica tourist attractions include the Tongva Park, the Santa Monica Public Library, Palisades Park, Bergamot Station, 26 mile bike path, Santa Monica Museum of Art, Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, Pacific Park, Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mortuary and Mausoleum. One of the things to do in Santa Monica is visit the Museum of Flying. One of the fun places to go in Santa Monica is Angel’s Attic. Santa Monica sightseeing also involves going to see the Anti Nuke Sculpture. Do we need to tell you to visit Santa Monica Beach?

Below we have a list of things to do in Santa Monica and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Santa Monica getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Santa Monica with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Santa Monica

Here is the list of things to do in Santa Monica and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Santa Monica Beach

    3.8 (6586 Votes)
    Santa Monica Beach

    Beach, Walking Area

    Santa Monica State Beach is an iconic destination. Visitors from all across the world are fascinated by the pristine stretches of sand, sturdy waves and the wonderful view of the Santa Monica Mountains. The beach is around 3 miles long and covers an area of 245 acres.
  2. 26 Mile Bike Path

    Beach, Biking Trail, Walking Area, Entertainment

    Locals and tourists, young and old, enjoy the ride on the 26 mile long bike path that connects Santa Monica Beach to Venice Beach and Marina del Rey. You can even jog or gently stroll along the path.
  3. The Misfit Restaurant And Bar

    Bar, Food And Drinks, Restaurant, Fine Dining

    One of the restaurants you have to visit in Santa Monica is The Misfit Restaurant and Bar! From a cool ambience to an insanely cheerful staff, this is one place you should not miss. The bar menu consists of deliciously sinful cocktails, and red and white wines. The brunch, lunch and dinner menu will leave you spoilt for options.
  4. Santa Monica Mountains

    Beach, National Park, Entertainment, Play

    The Santa Monica Mountains are a part of the Transverse Range in Southern California. Located along the Santa Monica Beach, the mountains host an ample range of activities. Go trekking in the Malibu Canyon, climb up to Saddle Peak, Mount Lee and Mount Allen, enjoy the flora and fauna of the region by visiting one of the many national parks present in the mountains and soak in the Californian Na...Read more
  5. Santa Monica Public Library

    4.2 (813 Votes)
    Santa Monica Public Library

    Library, Landmark

    A heaven for book lovers, make it a point to visit the Santa Monica Public Library. Caution: If you are an avid reader, you might end up spending an entire day over there!
  6. Woodlawn Cemetery, Mortuary And Mausoleum

    Landmark, Cemetery, Architecture , Tomb

    Apart from the beautiful architectural features of the Mausoleum, the cemetery also has tombs of celebrities who been laid to rest here. Pay your respect to the souls of Glenn Ford, Leo Carillo, Irene Ryan and Hal Smith.
  7. Aqua Surf School

    4.9 (2324 Votes)
    Aqua Surf School

    Beach, Water Body, Adventure Sport, Water Sport

    Santa Monica beach had many spots where beginners and 1st timers can try their hand at surfing. The Aqua Surf School is a great place where they give beginners surfing lessons. They also have surfing camps which last from 7 days to 14 days, but if you don’t have that much time in hand, go for their private lessons that last an hour to two.
  8. Museum Of Flying

    4.5 (314 Votes)
    Museum Of Flying

    Library, Specialty Museum

    Established in 1974 as the Douglas Museum and Library by Donald Douglas Jr, the second President of the Douglas Aircraft Company, the museum has an enviable collections of aircrafts like the Boeing 727, Lockheed Vega, Howard DGA 15, Wright Flyer, North American F 86H and many more. The Museum of Flying also has a flight simulator. The Maxflight FS3000 is a full motion simulator. You can choose ...Read more
  9. Tacos Punta Cabras Restaurant

    Restaurant

    Established in 2013 by two wacky chefs, the Tacos Punta Cabras Restaurant serves fresh seafood tacos, tostadas, cocteles and agua fresco. Once you visit this place, no one will judge you if you go in for your 4th or 5th Taco in a row! If you don’t believe us, a review in the Los Angeles Magazine goes. “It is simply the best taqueria on the Westside, and one of the city’s best ...Read more
  10. International Chess Park

    4.2 (362 Votes)
    International Chess Park

    Park, Landmark, Entertainment, Play

    Come and put your grey matter to use at one of the built-in chess tables, or watch intense rivalries among the regulars, including some master-level players. Santa Monica’s International Chess Park has permanent chess tables and boasts of a human-size chessboard.
  11. Mt. Olive Lutheran Church

    Church, Religious Site, Educational Site, Entertainment

    Founded in 1942 by Pastor A.O. Aasen, the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church will mesmerize you with its holy and sere atmosphere and its intricate architecture. Flower arrangement classes, classical music seminars, bible studies and various charitable events take place here.
  12. Anti Nuke Sculpture

    5 (346 Votes)
    Anti Nuke Sculpture

    Landmark, Monument, Entertainment, Concert

    The Chain Reaction Sculpture or the Anti Nuke Sculpture is a peace monument and public art sculpture made up of stainless steel and fibreglass surrounded by concrete. The sculpture shows a mushroom cloud created by a nuclear explosion. Designed by cartoonist Paul Conrad and built by Peter M. Carlson, the 5.5-ton, 8-meter (26-foot) high sculpture was installed ...Read more
  13. Santa Monica Municipal Airport Image
    ©
    Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) is a general aviation airport located in Santa Monica, California, United States, three miles (5 km) from the Pacific Ocean and 8 miles (13 km) north of Los Angeles International Airport. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Santa Monica.SMO is the oldest operating airport in the Los Angeles area and the only airport in the city of Santa Monica. ...Read more
  14. Firstcom Music Library, Santa Monica, United States Image
    ©
    The Firstcom Music Library was established in 1983 in Santa Monica, United States. It was founded by music industry veterans Ron Mendelsohn and Ken Nelson, who saw a need for a comprehensive music library that catered to the needs of media professionals.At the time, there was a growing demand for high-quality production music for use in television, film, and advertising. However, the existing m...Read more
  15. Ucla Ocean Discovery Center Image
    ©
    The Ucla Ocean Discovery Center, also known as the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, was started in 1996 by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the City of Santa Monica. It was created as a way to educate the public about the marine life and ecosystems of the Santa Monica Bay.The idea for the aquarium came from a group of UCLA students who were studying marine biology and wanted to s...Read more