Santa Monica City Guide

Santa Monica is a popular coastal California beach town known for its iconic pier, seaside amusement park, sunny beaches, and lively Third Street Promenade. As a former local, I loved living here for the laid-back lifestyle and being surrounded by a community of young creatives, startup entrepreneurs, and spiritual yogis.

Santa Monica Pier marks the end of Route 66 – the final stop of the East-to-West American migration. Many people arrived in search of new beginnings and opportunity. That spirit still defines the city today, reflected in its coastal lifestyle, creative energy, and ongoing reinvention.

While the city has evolved over the years, the changes have made space for new cafés, coworking spots, and a chance to revisit favorite businesses that continue to anchor the neighborhood. There’s truly a little something for everyone to explore and enjoy in Santa Monica.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Lo.

Read more: Spring Travel

This Santa Monica City Guide is designed for the traveler who prefers beach time without the chaos, intentional wellness experiences, and shopping with intention.

Santa Monica’s neighborhoods: Downtown, Ocean Park, Main Street, Pico, and Montana, to name a few. This guide features a mix of local staples and personal favorites worth experiencing. Whether you’re visiting for 48 hours or on holiday for a week, Santa Monica is a lovely destination that averages 300 days of sunshine per year. Spring and Fall are ideal for traveling. Summer is also lovely, but expect more crowds and the annual May gray and June gloom. With its coastal Mediterranean climate, expect mornings and evenings to be cooler as temperatures can drop to 60 degrees Fahrenheit even in the summer. Plan to wear layers and lean into the laid-back “Cali” vibe.

Downtown Santa Monica

Downtown Santa Monica is ideal for first-time visitors, families, and quick 24–48 hour trips since its highly walkable. While it can feel touristy (locals tend to avoid it), it’s a great place to start if you’re new to the city or looking for family-friendly activities. If you plan your visit on a weekday, crowds are lighter.

If you’re traveling with family and little ones, explore the iconic Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Amusement Park, Third Street Promenade, and stroll along the bluffs called Palisades Park, with the perfect sunset and pier views.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Lo.

STAY

I stayed at Viceroy Santa Monica, conveniently located on Ocean Avenue with beautiful ocean view rooms, walking distance to the beach, and houses the chic Sugar Palma Restaurant.

The hotel lobby is beautifully designed, and the service during my 2-night stay was incredible. It was fun to experience their seasonal Mixology class and Apres Surf lounge, where you can book a private cabana served with s’mores, charcuterie, and drinks.

The best way to explore Downtown is by bike, and the Viceroy hotel offers free bike rentals with your accommodation. My favorite route from downtown is biking down to the beach path, then to Main Street.

EXPLORE

Santa Monica Pier – Family-friendly carnival games, performers, and casual eateries.
Pacific Park – Amusement park right on the pier with games, rides, and an arcade.
Mixology class at Viceroy – Perfect for a date night and a fun group activity.
Apres Surf Lounge at Viceroy – Go from surf to cozy private cabana served with s’mores, charcuterie, and drinks. Available through February 2026.
Palisades Park – Great overlook of the beach, pier, and sunset views.

EAT + DRINK

Hermanito Broadway – Japanese and Mexican fusion dishes with an elevated beach bar ambience.
Hive – A casual go-to spot for acai, healthy bowls, and plant-based foods.
Bodega – Great spot for coworking and coffee during the day, and turns into a wine bar at night.
Marelle – Beautiful bar and restaurant. Order the viral ‘Star of the Sea’ cocktail served in a seashell.

WELLNESS

Thunderbolt Spiritual Books – My favorite metaphysical and spiritual book store. Entering this space feels like entering a portal. I often buy a few new crystals, and somehow books “find me” when I come here.
Sweat Yoga – There are so many local yoga studios to choose in this city, but this is one of the best.
Wednesday Farmer’s Market – This market remains one of the best in Los Angeles. Local restaurants source ingredients here, and you will find the best plants and fresh organic produce.

SHOP

Third Street Promenade – a popular outdoor mall where you can shop, dine, and get entertained with live music and street performers.

LOCAL’S TIPS:

Annenberg Community Beach House – Get access to free wi-fi, a community pool, and family-friendly activities. They also have a parking lot accessible via Pacific Coast Highway, so convenient for traveling with groups.
Sunset View on PCH – The perfect sunset bike path is from Ocean Avenue to California Street. Cross Ocean Avenue to head towards PCH. It leads you down a grade and a bridge overlooking Santa Monica Beach towards the Palisades. My favorite view of Santa Monica.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Lo.

Main Street & Ocean Park

As a former local, I prefer hanging out on Main Street over Third Street. This is where Westside locals go to grab coffee, shop, eat, and co-work. Main Street and Ocean Park have that community neighborhood vibe. Where you can take a yoga class, work from a neighborhood café, then go to the beach or bike the coastal path. It’s more low-key than Downtown Santa Monica, but it does get busier on weekends.

If you’re driving, there’s a convenient parking lot on Neilson Way (parallel to Main Street) – park between Ashland and Hill.

EAT + DRINK

Sunny Blue – Try the viral Japanese rice sandwich, Omnisubi. Order the Miso Beef & Miso Mushroom.
Thai Vegan – A favorite plant-based restaurant on Main Street that is open late.
Satdha – Elevated plant-based Thai restaurant that serves my favorite beet noodles and herbal teas.
Ghisallo – Lovely neighborhood spot serving delicious wood-fired pizzas and salads in an outdoor patio.
Tartine – A Los Angeles cafe chain with delicious pastries, brunch, and my fave smash burger.

COWORK

MUD\WTR- Perfect coworking space and spot to order mushroom coffee and matcha lattes.
Blue Bottle – A popular coffee shop that’s great for remote work or meetings, but note that there are no plugs or wifi.

WELLNESS

Ocean View Park – Ground your feet on the grass under palm trees with a perfect beach view. Locals go here to picnic, sunbathe, read, and take outdoor yoga classes.

The Now – Dreamy yet affordable massages. Get transported to a beachy tropical vacation during a 25, 50, or 80-minute session.

LOCAL’S TIPS

MUD\WTR- There’s an abundance of local cafes and coworking spaces in Santa Monica. I was most impressed with this lovely cafe, open cowork, and mindfulness studio space on Main Street by MUD\WTR. You can also reserve a dedicated desk.

Ocean View Park – If you only have 1 hour to explore Main Street, recommend parking on Neilson Way & Ashland, then walking over to Sunny Blue to order an Omnisubi (Japanese rice sandwich), and enjoy your snack overlooking the ocean while chilling on the grassy hill of Ocean View Park.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Lo.

Pico

The Pico neighborhood is where Downtown LA connects directly to Santa Monica via the Metro Expo Line. It’s urban-meets-coastal energy. Largely residential with pockets of local businesses, Pico feels more lived-in and artsy than touristy. The area is known for its growing collection of art galleries, vibrant street murals, and community-driven spaces that reflect Santa Monica’s quieter, more eclectic side.

EAT + DRINK

Amai Coffee – the most recommended spot for matcha on Pico Boulevard.
Lo/Cal Coffee & Market – delicious options and lovely neighborhood cafe.
Le Great Outdoor – lovely restaurant serving farm-to-table style dining.

EXPLORE

Bergamot Station Arts Center – This is home to 20+ galleries and creative businesses, making it one of Santa Monica’s most important contemporary art hubs—and it’s completely free to explore. In 2025, the city proposed this site as surplus land for future affordable housing development. While plans are still evolving, this creative space may close in the coming years, so now is the perfect time to visit while you can.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Lo.

Montana Ave

The Montana Avenue neighborhood is where to go if you’re craving a slower, more relaxed morning for brunch, matcha, and shopping for intentional home goods. The neighborhood is a quiet, upscale pocket of Santa Monica lined with charming cafés, curated boutiques, and neighborhood-favorite restaurants. It’s also home to the very first Avocado Green Mattress store ever opened.

EAT + DRINK

La La Land – Delicious creamy matcha lattes and pastries. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s a great spot to work.
Courtyard Kitchen – A lovely, casual yet chic brunch or happy hour spot.
R+D Kitchen – Elevated American restaurant perfect for celebrating a family member’s birthday.

SHOP

Avocado Mattress Store

I visited the first Avocado Green Mattress store in Santa Monica, and it’s been amazing to see the Avocado brand evolve into a premier organic mattress and home goods company.

People often ask which Avocado mattress I have or what firmness I recommend. But to be honest, the best way to choose is to test drive in person. Shopping in-store makes all the difference. Do a ‘sleep’ test on all their mattresses, including the Grand Luxe mattress line.

Feel out the pillows, bedding, and furniture. Avocado has what you truly need in your bedroom and home because it’s worth investing in better sleep and living in a conscious home.

Santa Monica truly embodies conscious coastal living. The culture of wellness, love for nature, entrepreneurship, and laid-back lifestyle is what draws both visitors and full-time residents.

The Avocado Green Mattress store in Santa Monica feels right at home, rooted in their mission to create organic, non-toxic mattresses while leading the industry in sustainability—from certified materials to climate-negative manufacturing.

If you’re inspired to visit this city by the sea in the Westside of Los Angeles, take in the palm trees, beach views, explore the local neighborhoods, and shop the Avocado Store at 1120 Montana Avenue.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Lo.

Read more: What Is Regenerative Travel?

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Kristine Lo is a creative director, photographer, and lifestyle creator based in Ojai, California. She’s passionate about conscious living, travels, and sharing rituals that elevate your creativity and wellness.