Venice and Santa Monica Bicycle Tour: French-led coastal ride

Your guide is French and has lived in Los Angeles for years

A 3.5-hour bicycle tour of Venice Beach and Santa Monica led by a French-speaking guide who shares local stories and history. You'll ride through Venice's street art and canals, pedal the boardwalk to Santa Monica Pier, explore the pier on foot, then return via Venice Skate Park to watch Californian skateboarders before cycling back to the start.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bike tour of Venice and Santa Monica

• Explore Venice Beach murals and landmarks
• Bike along Venice Beach boardwalk to Santa Monica Pier
• Visit Santa Monica Pier and enjoy coastal views
• Bike back to Venice Beach, stop at Venice Skate Park
• Return bikes at starting point

The experience

The tour starts in Venice Beach, where your French guide walks you through the neighborhood's murals and landmarks, explaining the history and anecdotes that shape the district. Then you mount the bikes and head out along the boardwalk toward Santa Monica. A 20-minute coastal ride that lets you take in the beach without rushing past it.

Once you reach Santa Monica Pier, you leave the bikes behind and explore the pier on foot. The guide points out the views and the way the pier sits at the heart of the California lifestyle travelers come to see. The return journey cycles back along the beach for about 20 minutes, with a stop at Venice Skate Park to watch local skateboarders perform before you return the bikes at the starting point.

The pace suits all fitness levels, and the route stays mostly flat along the beach and boardwalk. Specialized infant seats are available if you're bringing very young children. The tour welcomes kids from age 1 onward.

What’s included

• Bicycle use.
• French-speaking guide.
• specialized infant seats if needed.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideFrench

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Destinations Off Road

Is this one for you?At 3.5 hours, the tour leaves room to explore other parts of Los Angeles the same day, or to linger over lunch near the pier without feeling rushed. If you want a full morning or afternoon activity that doesn't consume your entire day, this length works well.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Venice Beach boardwalk like when you're riding it on a bike?

The boardwalk is a flat, paved path that runs along the sand between Venice and Santa Monica. You'll pedal it as part of the tour's main route, taking in the beach views without stopping until you reach the pier.

Do I need to know how to ride a bike well to join this tour?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels. The route is mostly flat along the beach and boardwalk, and the pace is set by the group and the guide's stops for history and sightseeing.

What happens at Venice Skate Park on the way back?

You stop there for a break to watch Californian skateboarders perform. It's a chance to rest and see a piece of Venice's street culture before cycling the final stretch back to the starting point.

What does the guide tell you about Venice's canals and street art?

The French-speaking guide shares the history and stories behind Venice's murals and emblematic places, including the canals. The guide has lived in Los Angeles for years and offers a local perspective on how these landmarks shaped the neighborhood.