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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Santa Monica Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
United States – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary. |
| Etiquette: | Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated. |
| Thanksgiving (November) |
A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges. |
|---|---|
| Independence Day (July) |
Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide. |
| Christmas (December) |
Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Lyft, Bolt |
| Helpful links: |
Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine |
| Other: | The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Santa Monica, United States
May and June often start with grey, overcast mornings (May Gray, June Gloom) that clear by afternoon
Beach and sea swimming are best July to September, the Pacific stays cool year-round
Santa Ana winds and wildfire risk are highest September to January
Don't miss
- 🌊 Walk the iconic Santa Monica Pier and enjoy ocean views
- 🛍️ Shop and dine along the vibrant Third Street Promenade
- 🚴♂️ Bike the scenic Marvin Braude Trail along the coastline
- 🌳 Relax and picnic at bluff-top Palisades Park
- 🎡 Ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel at Pacific Park
- 🎨 Explore contemporary art galleries at Bergamot Station
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Santa Monica?
Santa Monica is a dream for anyone who loves the beach, vibrant city life and a laid-back vibe. The iconic Santa Monica Pier, with its Ferris wheel and amusement park, is a must-see, while the Third Street Promenade offers endless shopping, street performers and great eats. The beach is wide, lively and perfect for people-watching, volleyball or just soaking up the sun. Art lovers will find galleries and public installations and the bike path along the coast is classic California. It’s easy to combine Santa Monica with a trip to LA’s biggest attractions, too. Just be aware: crowds are common, especially in summer and parking can be pricey and tricky. There’s also been a recent uptick in property crime, so keep an eye on your belongings, especially around the pier and downtown at night.
🏯Places worth seeing
-
1
Santa Monica Pier
Iconic beachfront attraction featuring a historic wooden pier, amusement rides and an aquarium. Visitors enjoy panoramic ocean views, street performers and family‑friendly entertainment amid the vibrant coastal atmosphere of Los Angeles. -
2
Bergamot Station
-
3
Tongva Park
-
4
Annenberg Community Pool
-
5
Pacific Park
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
-
1
Venice Beach
A vibrant beachfront community known for its iconic pier, eclectic boardwalk and diverse cultural scene. Visitors enjoy surfing, art galleries and a mix of historic architecture alongside modern eateries and in California. -
2
Will Rogers State Beach
-
3
Santa Monica State Beach
-
4
Palisades Park
-
5
Santa Monica Mountains
-
6
Pacific & Ocean
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Twilight Concert Series
-
Santa Monica Pier Paddleboard Race
-
Main Street Summer SOULstice
-
Santa Monica Film Festival
-
Farmers Market Anniversary
-
Holiday Tree Lighting
-
Pier 360 Beach Festival
-
Coastal Cleanup Day
-
Art Walk at Bergamot Station
-
Fourth of July Parade
Knowledge before you go
- Stay car-light: Santa Monica is walkable and bike-friendly.
- Bike the beachfront path (Marvin Braude Trail) for easy, scenic beach-hopping beyond the pier.
- Skip peak pier crowds by exploring Montana Avenue, Main Street or Pico murals instead.
- Catch sunset at the pier, then look for the Route 66 “End of the Trail” marker.
How to travel to Santa Monica
Fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), just 10 miles away and reach Santa Monica by taxi, rideshare or direct shuttle. The Metro Expo Line runs from downtown LA to Santa Monica. Driving is easy, but traffic can be heavy at peak times.
Access summary
- From LAX: Taxi, rideshare or shuttle about 20–45 minutes, traffic-dependent.
- From Downtown Los Angeles: Metro E Line or car, typically 30–50 minutes.
- From San Diego: Drive via I-5/I-405/I-10 about 2–3 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Santa Monica
Santa Monica has a range of hotels, from luxury oceanfront resorts to boutique inns and budget motels. Many are within walking distance of the beach and main attractions. Book early for summer and weekends, as rooms fill fast.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Santa Monica
Santa Monica is very walkable, especially around the beach, pier and downtown. Rent bikes or rollerblades to cruise the Strand. Big Blue Bus and Metro Expo Line connect you to LA and nearby neighborhoods. Parking is plentiful but expensive and fills quickly, especially on weekends.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Santa Monica are around 23% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Santa Monica is generally safe, but there’s been a rise in property crime like theft and car break-ins, especially around tourist hotspots. Stay alert, don’t leave valuables in your car and be cautious at night.
Health & Medical
Excellent medical facilities and pharmacies are available in and around Santa Monica. Emergency services are reliable. Bring any prescription medications and note that sunburn and dehydration are the most common health issues for visitors.
Accessibility
Santa Monica is highly accessible, with flat, wide sidewalks, accessible beaches and public transport. Most attractions, hotels and restaurants are wheelchair-friendly, but the pier can get crowded and busy.
Tap water
Tap water is safe and widely available throughout the city. Public drinking fountains are found at the beach, parks and shopping areas, so staying hydrated is easy.
Packing recommendations for Santa Monica
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Light jacket
for evenings
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
🩱
Swimwear
🏖️
Beach towel
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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