StayAreas

Santa Monica

Los Angeles

The beach city on the Pacific, with its famous pier, a wide sandy beach, the Third Street Promenade and some of LA's most walkable streets.

Best for First visit · Families · Upscale

Transport
3/5
Sights
3/5
Value
2/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$400/night · 50 min to Downtown LA

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Santa Monica on the map

Why stay here

  • Beach, pier and bike path on the doorstep
  • Walkable without a car
  • Metro E Line to Downtown

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Families
  • Beach lovers

Not ideal if…

  • You're on a budget
  • You want to be near Hollywood
  • You want lively nightlife

What it's like

Santa Monica is the easiest place in LA to stay without a car: the pier with its Ferris wheel, the beach and the bike path along the sand, the Third Street Promenade's shops and restaurants, and Main Street's cafés are all walkable. The Metro E Line runs from here to Downtown.

It's ideal for a first trip that's more beach than Hollywood, and it's close to LAX. Hotels are expensive, especially by the ocean, and it's 45 minutes or more by car to Hollywood or Downtown in traffic.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Ocean Avenue

    Clifftop hotels above the beach and Palisades Park.

  • Third Street Promenade

    Pedestrian shopping street.

  • Main Street

    Cafés and boutiques towards Venice.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Metro E Line to Downtown, Big Blue Bus routes, and bikes along the beach path.
To Downtown LA
About 50 minutes
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
About 30 minutes: taxi or rideshare from LAX; buses take about an hour.

Nearby attractions

  • Santa Monica Pier

    Pacific Park's Ferris wheel and the end of Route 66.

  • Marvin Braude Bike Trail

    Beach bike path south to Venice and beyond.

  • Palisades Park

    Clifftop park for sunsets over the ocean.

Where to eat and drink

  • Main Street

    Cafés and casual restaurants.

  • Santa Monica Farmers Market

    Wednesday market famous with LA chefs.

  • Ocean-view bars

    Hotel terraces for sunset drinks.

Where to stay in Santa Monica

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Shutters on the Beach

Why we like it: Beach-house style hotel right on the sand.

Typical luxury rate in Santa Monica: ~$850/night

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Luxury pick

Hotel Casa del Mar

Why we like it: Restored 1920s beach club next to the sand.

Typical luxury rate in Santa Monica: ~$850/night

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Boutique pick

The Georgian Hotel

Why we like it: Art Deco hotel on Ocean Avenue facing the pier.

Typical mid-range rate in Santa Monica: ~$400/night

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Hotels in Santa MonicaMid-range from ~$400/night

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