Santa Monica, CA, Guide and Information

Santa Monica is one of the more iconic and recognizable coastal towns in the United States. From the beach to the boardwalk, and everything in between, Santa Monica is part of the quintessential Southern California experience. Santa Monica is a national treasure that’s been immortalized on the silver screen more times than we can count. Hit the beach, dine with the stars at LA’s most celebrated eateries, or shop at the finest boutiques along the California Coast. After spending your day in the California sun, you’ll rest easy with Santa Monica’s selection of boutique, timeless, and hip hotels. To find out where to stay in Santa Monica, CA, continue reading below.

High-end hotels are not hard to find in Santa Monica or the greater LA area for that matter. However, not all fancy hotels are created equal. Proper Santa Monica features earth tones, copious amounts of natural light, and understated coastal décor. The Kelly Wearstler-designed boasts a unique offering of La-chic activities, like sound baths, journaling workshops, yoga, and sunset music session. You won't find a straw or single-use plastic on the property, thanks to the hotel’s partnership with Heal the Bay. Foodies rejoice, the Proper’s onsite restaurant, Onda, is an award-winning chef-driven concept that serves fresh, local produce in a Mediterranean and California style.

To many, Southern California and the greater LA area are synonymous with shopping. From the designer stores of Rodeo Drive to the beachy boutique hidden gems in Santa Monica, SoCal is a shopping lover’s dream. If you’re traveling to Santa Monica and you feel like taking a break from the boardwalk and the beach, some shopping may do you good. Whether you’re in the market for the latest trends, something fresh and delicious, or a gift for family and friends, you’re sure to find it in Santa Monica. Continue reading below for Where to Shop in Santa Monica, CA.

If you’re in the market for timeless furniture during your stay in Santa Monica, head to Ocean Park, where you’ll find the Outdoor Antique Market. Ocean Park is a trendy and artistic neighborhood with a variety of unique stores, coffee shops, and restaurants. On the first and fourth Sunday of each month, shoppers can enjoy the Flea Market in Ocean Park. Shop for antiques, vintage clothes, fine rugs, jewelry, and more.

Santa Monica offers some of California’s most beautiful beachfront. But beyond the shore and Santa Monica Pier, this southern California destination offers amazing shopping and dining. When it comes to great eats, you’ll find lots of fresh seafood and internationally-inspired menus. However, don’t think that just because Santa Monica boasts a lot of award-winning, ritzy restaurants that you need to pay top dollar to enjoy a good meal here. You can find scrumptious eats on a budget, at one of our top favorite spots to eat for cheap in Santa Monica, California.

This coastal cafe creates delicious caffeinated beverages just steps north of the Santa Monica promenade. Enjoy flash-iced coffee, hand-brewed coffee, espresso-based drinks and more (including specialty drinks like lavender hot chocolate or affogato!). Breakfast options are limited and light, but just the thing to get your day off on the right foot. Think breakfast burritos or fresh-baked pastries ranging from strawberry almond croissants to matcha doughnuts.

California has long been known as a progressive state. They–or rather Levi Strauss & Co. up north–can be credited with making blue jeans a must back in 1873. Yes, California and forward thinking go hand in hand like electric cars and organic farming. Well, you get the idea.

From promoting legislation for saving dolphins from single-use plastic to being the first state to pass a domestic partnership statute, California has been on the cutting edge of change for many years. And certainly Santa Monica ranks as one of the most out-to-change-the-world cities in the country. Their environmental savviness along with their openness and free spirited approach to life enhances the Santa Monica experience for residents and visitors alike.

This beachfront city ranks as one of America’s most exciting destinations. By the early twentieth century, Santa Monica was well established as a resort town and since then it has grown into an oh-so happening place that possesses much of the clout of L.A. while retaining the appeal of a super-friendly oceanside community. With a prime location ideal for both business and leisure travelers, three and a half miles of gorgeous coastline along the Pacific Ocean and glorious weather most of the year, who wouldn’t enjoy a stay in Santa Monica, CA? Indeed, Santa Monica exudes a laid-back beach town vibe as well as a big-city sophisticate allure depending on where you find yourself on any given day.

There’s something for every taste and pocketbook in Santa Monica and you can find much of this diversity within its eight distinct neighborhoods. Best of all: Traveling to and around these areas can be easy breezy, since Santa Monica prides itself on being an extremely pedestrian-friendly town. Biking is big here, too, and not surprisingly, Santa Monica leads in the development of bike-friendly infrastructure and programs. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, a twenty-two-mile paved bike path also known as The Strand, traverses the town going from its shores all the way into Los Angeles.