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Top Things to Do in Santa Monica

We compared all 24 experiences in Santa Monica so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.9 24 experiences from US$ 31 Free cancellation on most experiences

The unmissables

Most booked
Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Beaches 7.5-Hour Tour
Best value
Los Angeles: Hollywood & Beverly Hills Open Air Bus Tour

Recommended (7)

Top rated (8)

Los Angeles: Private Full-Day City Tour with Iconic Sights
Los Angeles: Private Full-Day City Tour with Iconic Sights★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (138)7h–8hYou’ll see Los Angeles through local eyes—from close-up views of the Hollywood Sign to wandering Venice Beach and quiet canal paths. Taste your way through the Farmers Market, stroll Rodeo Drive, and end by watching sunset colors over Santa Monica Pier. It’s not just sightseeing—it feels like you’re part of it all for a day.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 999View ›
Los Angeles: Private Full-Day Tour with Hollywood Sign & Beaches
Los Angeles: Private Full-Day Tour with Hollywood Sign & Beaches★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (146)6h–7hYou’ll ride through Los Angeles with a local guide who knows every shortcut—from Venice Beach’s wild boardwalk to Santa Monica Pier’s carnival buzz and those iconic views beneath the Hollywood Sign. Expect good stories, plenty of food options at the Farmers Market, and time to wander famous streets without worrying about parking or planning anything yourself.Free cancellationTravelers' pick-10%from · per groupUS$ 620View ›
Santa Monica Beginner Surf Lesson 1.5 Hr Experience
Santa Monica Beginner Surf Lesson 1.5 Hr Experience★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (146)1h 30mYou’ll get real surf lessons from locals who live and breathe the sport. It’s not just about standing up on a board—it’s about soaking in the vibe, learning from folks who know every wave here, and leaving with a story (and maybe some sore arms).Free cancellationfromUS$ 140View ›
Santa Monica: Donut Food Tour & Beach Walk with Local Stops
Santa Monica: Donut Food Tour & Beach Walk with Local Stops★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (113)2hYou’ll follow a real donut trail across Santa Monica—from famous Randy’s Donuts to fresh churros near the beach—with stories from your local guide and plenty of chances to taste California’s sweetest traditions. Expect laughter, unexpected flavors, and maybe even an ocean breeze tangled with cinnamon sugar.Free cancellationfromUS$ 70View ›
Venice Beach: Small Group Surf Lesson & Board Rental
Venice Beach: Small Group Surf Lesson & Board Rental★★★★★★★★★★ 4.81 (144)2hYou’ll join a small group surf lesson right on Venice Beach—start with basics on the sand before heading into the Pacific with your instructor guiding every wobbly attempt. Wetsuits and surfboards are included, so you just show up ready to get wet (and probably laugh at yourself). There’s space to practice solo at the end—plus that feeling when you finally stand up stays with you.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 85View ›
Marina del Rey: Brunch Cruise with Champagne & Buffet
Marina del Rey: Brunch Cruise with Champagne & Buffet★★★★★★★★★★ 4.73 (119)2hYou’ll step onto a yacht in Marina del Rey for a two-hour brunch cruise filled with bottomless mimosas, chef-made favorites, and live music as you glide past coastal views. Expect laughter, sea air, and moments that linger long after you’re back on land.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −19%fromUS$ 101View ›
Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Beach Tour with Pickup
Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Beach Tour with Pickup★★★★★★★★★★ 4.69 (154)7h 30mYou’ll feel LA’s energy from Olvera Street’s music to Venice Beach’s wild boardwalk on this full-day tour with hotel pickup. Snap photos at Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Walk of Fame, taste your way through the Farmers Market, and end by watching sunset colors spill over Santa Monica Pier—all alongside a local guide who keeps things real.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 95View ›
Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Beach Day Tour Pickup
Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Beach Day Tour Pickup★★★★★★★★★★ 4.60 (184)7h 30mYou’ll feel LA’s pulse from downtown to Venice Beach—all in one smooth ride with hotel pickup included. Expect stories from your local guide, time for lunch at the Original Farmers Market, photo stops by Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Boulevard, plus enough beach air to last you weeks.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 95View ›

Lowest price (4)

Santa Monica and Venice Beach 3-Hour Bike Tour
Santa Monica and Venice Beach 3-Hour Bike Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (27)3hA 3-hour guided bike tour starting near the Santa Monica Pier that covers the Venice Canals, Muscle Beach, Marina del Rey, Palisades Park and Venice Beach's vendors and skate culture. A live English-speaking guide provides history and fun facts at each stop, with photo opportunities throughout. The tour includes a bike, helmet and bike bag; you can upgrade to an electric bike if you prefer an easier ride.Is it for me?Choose the regular bike if you're comfortable pedaling and want the full workout; pick the electric bike upgrade if you'd rather coast through the three hours and save your energy for exploring each stop.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 72View ›
Private Rickshaw Tour: Santa Monica and Venice Beach
Private Rickshaw Tour: Santa Monica and Venice Beach★★★★★★★★★★ 4.82 (33)1hA private rickshaw tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach for two passengers, guided by a local who speaks English or Spanish. You'll ride past the Santa Monica Pier, Palisades Park, and the Venice Beach Boardwalk, stopping to see Muscle Beach where Arnold Schwarzenegger trained, the skate park, and the 100-year-old Carousel at Pacific Park. Pickup is included; the tour runs one hour and suits all fitness levels, including those with limited mobility.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cover both Santa Monica and Venice Beach in one ride without walking between them, or if you're traveling as a pair and prefer a guide who knows the local history behind each stop. The rickshaw's accessible design and relaxed pace also work well for anyone with limited mobility or anyone who'd rather ride than walk the beaches.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 120View ›
Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway Tour: Cover More Ground
Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway Tour: Cover More Ground★★★★★★★★★★ 4.88 (41)2hA 2-hour Segway tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach that covers the Pier, Muscle Beach, the Heal the Bay Aquarium and the Venice Boardwalk with a professional guide, safety equipment and a 30-minute orientation. The tour runs morning or afternoon, rain or shine, and includes water and snacks. Minimum age is 8 years; riders under 16 must have a parent present.Is it for me?Morning and afternoon departures both work; choose the time that fits your schedule. The 30-minute orientation means you do not need to know how to ride beforehand, and the two-hour length fits between other plans without eating the whole day.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 199View ›
Marina del Rey: Private E-Boat Cruise with Wine & Sea Lions
Marina del Rey: Private E-Boat Cruise with Wine & Sea Lions★★★★★★★★★★ 4.83 (40)2hYou’ll glide quietly through Marina del Rey’s harbor on a private electric boat with friends or family, sipping wine and sharing a charcuterie board as you pass waterfront homes and spot sea lions up close. With a local guide steering and stories along the way, it’s an easygoing escape you’ll remember long after the sun sets.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −100%fromUS$ 275View ›
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