Santa Monica, United States - Travel Guide

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Plan a free trip to Santa Monica

Updated: 2026-10-11

Santa Monica is a vibrant California beach city, renowned for its iconic pier, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere. It's a perfect destination for those seeking a blend of beach fun, shopping, fine dining, and entertainment.

Top things to do in Santa Monica

Things to do in Santa Monica include Third Street Promenade, The Getty Villa, Palisades Park. Here are 15 places worth knowing, with a short note on each.

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A sample 3-day itinerary for Santa Monica

Here is what 3 days in Santa Monica look like when the planner builds them - arriving at noon on the first day and flying home at noon on the last. Stops are grouped by proximity so no day doubles back, and the same route can be built for any length, from two days to a week.

Day 1Arrival at noon

Stops
6
  1. 1
    Original Muscle Beach
    150 m (🚶 2 min)
  2. 2
    Santa Monica Pier AquariumZoo
    100 m (🚶 2 min)
  3. 3
    Pacific Park
    200 m
  4. 4
    Muscle Beach Santa MonicaTheme park · Ocean Front
    350 m
  5. 5
    Santa Monica State BeachBeach
    500 m (🚶 8 min)
  6. 6
    Third Street PromenadePedestrian street · Downtown
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Day 2

Stops
4
Walking
1h 24m
  1. 1
    Bergamot Station Arts CenterMuseum
    2.5 km (🚶 40 min / 🚌 16 min)
  2. 2
    Santa Monica History MuseumMuseum · Downtown
    1.9 km (🚶 31 min)
  3. 3
    Annenberg Community Beach HouseNorth Beach
    500 m (🚶 13 min)
  4. 4
    Palisades ParkPark
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Day 3Return at noon

Stops
2
  1. 1
    Tongva ParkPark · Downtown
    700 m
  2. 2
    Ocean AvenueOcean Front
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The route assumes the first day starts at noon, after you land, and the last ends at noon, before your flight. It is an example: with your dates the planner builds a route around your landing and your flight home, real opening hours, how you get around and your own preferences.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top things to do in Santa Monica?

Third Street Promenade, The Getty Villa, Palisades Park, Venice Canal Historic District, Geffen Playhouse, Pacific Park and 9 more. Third Street Promenade: A lively pedestrian street with shops, restaurants, cafes, and street performers.

What can you do in 3 days in Santa Monica?

Day 1: Original Muscle Beach, Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, Pacific Park, Muscle Beach Santa Monica. Day 2: Bergamot Station Arts Center, Santa Monica History Museum, Annenberg Community Beach House, Palisades Park. Day 3: Tongva Park, Ocean Avenue.

Which areas should you explore in Santa Monica?

The itinerary for Santa Monica runs through Ocean Front, Downtown and North Beach.

Which museums are worth visiting in Santa Monica?

Museums worth visiting in Santa Monica: The Getty Villa (Pacific Palisades), Bergamot Station Arts Center and Santa Monica History Museum (Downtown).

What parks and gardens are there in Santa Monica?

Parks and gardens in Santa Monica: Palisades Park and Tongva Park (Downtown).

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