Santa Monica · California · United States
Santa Monica Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Santa Monica tours and things to do on the sunny Los Angeles coast: cruise the pier and the beach path on an electric bike to Venice, walk the historic Santa Monica Pier, tour Hollywood and celebrity homes, and escape to Malibu wine country. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
175 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Santa Monica
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Santa Monica
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Santa Monica by interest
Whatever brings you to Santa Monica — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Santa Monica
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Venice Beach
Boardwalk & canals.
10 toursView tours
Santa Monica Pier
Rides & Route 66.
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Los Angeles
The best of LA.
10 toursView tours
Hollywood
Stars & mansions.
10 toursView tours
Museum of Illusions
Trick your eyes.
10 toursView tours
Malibu Wine
Vines & views.
10 toursView tours
Private Tour
On your terms.
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Santa Monica
The LA coast.
15 toursView tours
To Venice awayBeach Bike
Coast on wheels.
from $89View trips
Santa Monica awayThe Pier
Rides & Route 66.
from $8View trips
Half day awayLos Angeles
The best of LA.
from $69View trips
LA awayHollywood
Stars & mansions.
from $59View trips
The Pier awayMuseum of Illusions
Trick your eyes.
from $31View trips
45 min awayMalibu Wine
Vines & views.
from $179View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Santa Monica visitor asks before booking.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and sunny — peak beach season.
Peak
Summer and holidays draw the crowds.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild, fresh and quieter.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Warm sea and fewer people.
For the beach
June to October for the warmest days.
Best overall
April to June and September to October.
One day
A beach bike ride and the pier.
Two days
Add a Hollywood or LA tour.
Three+ days
Add Malibu wine country.
For the coast
Bike rides and the pier.
For LA
Hollywood and city tours.
For wine
A Malibu day trip.
On foot
The pier, beach and Third Street are walkable.
By bike
The beach path is perfect for cycling to Venice.
By light rail
The Metro E Line links Santa Monica and Downtown LA.
By tour
Tours reach Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Malibu.
Where to stay
Stay near the pier or Third Street Promenade.
US dollar
Santa Monica uses the US dollar; cards are accepted everywhere.
Bike rides
Book an electric bike to reach Venice easily.
The Pier
Buy Pacific Park ride wristbands in advance.
Hollywood
Choose an open-top tour for the best photos.
Malibu
Book a small-group wine tour with transport.
Light rail
Ride the E Line to Downtown LA to skip traffic.
Combos
Some tours pair the beach with Hollywood.
Bike tours
Small-group rides fill up — book ahead.
Hollywood tours
Open-top tours fill up — reserve early.
LA city tours
Popular tours fill up — book ahead.
Malibu wine
Small-group trips fill up — reserve early.
Illusions
Weekend tickets sell out — book ahead.
Summer peak
Summer is busiest — book far ahead.
Beach bike
From about $89 for a small-group bike tour.
Pier audio tour
From $8 for a self-guided walk.
LA city tour
Around $69 for a half-day LA tour.
Hollywood tour
About $59 for a celebrity-homes tour.
Malibu wine
From $179 for a wine-country trip.
How to save
Use self-guided audio tours and ride the light rail into LA.
When to visit
Santa Monica through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- Mild & quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cooler.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mar–May
- Best for
- Fresh days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- Beach season.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Busy.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Sep–Nov
- Best for
- Warm sea.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
People also ask
Santa Monica travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Santa Monica?
The highest-rated experiences are an electric-bike ride to Venice Beach, a pier walk, a Hollywood and celebrity-homes tour, and a Malibu wine trip.
What should I book in advance in Santa Monica?
Reserve bike tours, Hollywood tours and Malibu wine trips ahead, especially in summer.
How many days do I need in Santa Monica?
One day covers a beach bike ride and the pier, and two to three let you add Hollywood and Malibu.
Is Santa Monica worth visiting?
Yes — its famous pier, wide beach and beachfront path make it one of Los Angeles’s most enjoyable coastal spots, and a great base for Hollywood and Malibu.
When is the best time to visit Santa Monica?
April to June and September to October bring warm, sunny days with fewer crowds.
What is the Santa Monica Pier?
A historic pier with Pacific Park’s rides, an aquarium and the famous end sign of Route 66.
Can you tour Hollywood from Santa Monica?
Yes — many Hollywood, celebrity-home and LA city tours depart from Santa Monica.
175 Santa Monica experiencesfrom $8 · free cancellation
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