Looking for the best things to do in Santa Monica? This iconic beach city on LA’s Westside is all about the coast: the Santa Monica Pier and its Ferris wheel, wide beaches, the bluff-top Palisades Park, and the shops of the Third Street Promenade. Locals point to the pier, the beach and bike path, and the boutiques of Montana Avenue and Main Street.
Things to do in Santa Monica
The Pier & Beach
The Santa Monica Pier with Pacific Park’s Ferris wheel and games, wide sandy beach, and the start of the beachfront bike path (The Strand).
Palisades Park & Downtown
The clifftop Palisades Park for sunset ocean views, and the pedestrian Third Street Promenade for shopping and street performers.
Montana Avenue & Main Street
Boutiques, cafés and a laid-back local vibe — plus the historic Muscle Beach and Tongva Park.
Things to do in Santa Monica at night
The Pier lit up at night, sunset drinks with ocean views, and dining along Main Street and downtown lead the evening — with all of LA’s Westside nearby.
Free things to do in Santa Monica
- The beach and the Strand bike path
- Palisades Park at sunset
- People-watching on the Third Street Promenade
What Santa Monica locals actually recommend
The best beach spots away from the pier crowds, the Montana and Main Street gems, sunset viewpoints — that comes from people who live here. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Santa Monica community, real neighbors answer “what should I actually do this weekend?” Join your Santa Monica neighbors free →
Where this fits in Santa Monica
The best days here mix the well-known spots with the places only locals frequent. The picks in this guide make the most sense once you know how Santa Monica is laid out. the Santa Monica Pier and Palisades Park sit at the center of where locals actually spend their time, so planning a full day out around one of them rarely goes wrong. When you want something calmer, the beach bike path pulls you away from the busiest blocks, and Tongva Park is the kind of spot regulars mention but visitors miss. Anchor your plan to one of those and the rest of the day in Santa Monica tends to fall into place.
More Santa Monica guides
Santa Monica rewards people who dig a little deeper. These related guides map the same neighborhoods from different starting points: Free things to do in Santa Monica, Best restaurants in Santa Monica, undefined Santa Monica — enough to plan a whole day or two.
Ask a Santa Monica neighbor
The best tips never make the guidebooks — they come from neighbors who know which spot is worth it this week. That is what the Santa Monica community on Neighborhood Nurturers is for. Ask Santa Monica locals what they would do, or join free and get honest answers from people who actually know Santa Monica.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Santa Monica?
Visit the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park’s Ferris wheel, spend a day at the beach, walk or bike The Strand, catch sunset from Palisades Park, and shop the Third Street Promenade, Montana Avenue and Main Street.
What is Santa Monica known for?
Its iconic pier and Ferris wheel, wide beaches, the bluff-top Palisades Park, and the walkable Third Street Promenade — a quintessential LA beach experience.
What are free things to do in Santa Monica?
The beach and the Strand bike path, Palisades Park at sunset, and the Third Street Promenade are all free.
Is Santa Monica worth visiting in LA?
Yes — its pier, beaches and walkable downtown make it one of the most popular and accessible beach destinations in the LA area.