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Things to do in Santa Monica, California

Our most recommended things to do in Santa Monica, California

Los Angeles: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

1. Los Angeles: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Discover the top sights in Los Angles with a hop-on hop-off open-top double-decker bus tour. Choose a 24 or 48-hour ticket or upgrade your experience to the Deluxe 2-day tour with the TCL Chinese Theatre Walking Tour, and the Celebrity Homes and Lifestyle Tour.  Climb aboard the double-decker bus for unique views of sights like the world-famous Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame, and Beverly Hills. Your journey will be packed with fun and engaging stories with a fully-narrated audio tour. Stop at locations throughout the city with daily departures from the starting point at the Big Bus Visitor Center Hollywood. Guests may also join the tour from any of the stops on the route. Stay comfortable with air-conditioning on the lower deck and recorded commentary available in 9 languages. Location Highlights Include: Big Bus Visitor Center Hollywood TCL Chinese Theatre Guitar Center “Rock Walk” The Comedy Store Whisky A Go Go Beverly Gardens Park Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive Beverly Center LACMA La Brea Tarpits Farmers Market The Grove Melrose Shopping Paramount Studios 3rd Street Promenade Santa Monica Pier

Los Angeles: City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour

2. Los Angeles: City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour

Explore the most iconic landmarks in Los Angles on this sightseeing hop-on hop-off open-top double-decker bus tour. Discover the best of the city at your own pace with over 40+ stops across multiple tour routes including Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood & Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach. For the Downtown Los Angeles route, start at stop #31. See 15 historical stops including Engine Co., the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Olvera Street, the Grand CTR Market, the Bradbury Building, and the Convention Center. Enjoy Hollywood & Beverly Hills from the start, at stop #1. With this route, see the Dolby Theatre, which is home to the Oscars. After stopping at the theatre, proceed to the Laugh Factory, Comedy Store, Sunset Strip, Beverly Center, Farmers Market, and Melrose Avenue. Starting at stop #57, discover Santa Monica and Venice Beach. It includes 16 stops including the infamous Beverly Hills, One Westside Shopping Center, Santa Monica Pier, Wilshire Blvd., and the Beverly Hilton.

Los Angeles: 30-Minute Tandem Paragliding Experience

3. Los Angeles: 30-Minute Tandem Paragliding Experience

Paraglide for up to 30 minutes with an instructor on this paragliding flight from Malibu. Fly confidently with top-of-the-line safety gear that is maintained to the highest safety standards. Soar over sandy beaches and the Pacific Ocean.  Meet your guide and get set up with your equipment. Listen to a safety briefing before taking off with your instructor. Take off from the beach or the 3,000-foot mountain top. This involves running a few steps, usually under 20. Admire breathtaking views and keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, rays, sharks, deer, mountain lions, hawks, and vultures. Ride thermals with hawks and vultures and experience the thrill of spiraling down over the Pacific Ocean.  Make an easy landing by stretching your legs and leaning forward as you touch down on the soft sandy beach. The tandem paragliding flight is very gentle but adventurous. 

Los Angeles: Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 40+ Attractions

4. Los Angeles: Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 40+ Attractions

The Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass by Go City gets you into over 40 top attractions in the city for one low price. Enjoy great savings on admission compared to buying individual tickets and pay nothing at the gate. Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, Dolby Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, and many more of the best things to do in L.A., Hollywood, and beyond. In addition, when you buy a 3-, 5- or 7-day pass, you also get a ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood. You can take up to 2 weeks from when you first use the pass to use the remaining calendar days on your pass. The free digital guide helps you decide what to do, where to go, how to get there and how to make reservations in advance when required. Simply show your pass straight from your phone (or printed) at the gate or ticket office to get in. Activities, attractions, and tours included with the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass: Theme Parks • Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket (3+ day passes only) • Knott's Berry Farm • LEGOLAND California (choice between San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND) • Knott's Soak City Water Park Outdoor Activities • Whale Watching in San Pedro or Long Beach • Catalina Flyer (Ferry to Catalina Island) • Harbor Breeze Whale Watching Tour - Long Beach • Perry's Beach Café and Rentals - Mountain Bike or Roller-Skates (All Day) • Hollywood Sign Tour • Celebrity Bike Tour by Bikes & Hikes LA (choice between self-guided or guided tour) • Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour - Beautiful Newport Beach • Harbor Cruise in Long Beach or San Pedro • Huntington Beach: 2-hr SUP board or kayak rental • Huntington Beach: Yoga on the beach Tours • Big Bus Los Angeles 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Tour • Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood • Big Bus Celebrity Lifestyle and Homes Tour • Dolby Theater Guided Tour • Starline Tours: Malibu Celebrity Homes Tour • Downtown LA Food and Culture Tour • Glass Bottom Boat Eco Tour • SoFi Stadium Tour Family-Friendly • Madame Tussauds Hollywood • Aquarium of the Pacific • TCL Chinese Theater - Tour or Movie and a drink (choice between TCL Chinese Theater or Hollywood Museum) • Santa Monica Pier Aquarium • Los Angeles Zoo • California Science Center IMAX Movie • San Diego Zoo (choice between San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND) Museums and Entertainment • Hollywood Museum (choice between TCL Chinese Theater or Hollywood Museum) • GRAMMY Museum • Battleship IOWA Museum • Natural History Museum • Autry Museum of the American West • Museum of Latin American Art • Cabrillo Maritime Museum • Richard Nixon Library • South Coast Shop & Dine Package

Los Angeles: LA Grand Tour

5. Los Angeles: LA Grand Tour

Get a feel for the City of Angels with this full-day tour of some of its key sights. Experience a selection of its main attractions including ocean views and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After departing from Sunset Boulevard, be driven first to Santa Monica Pier. Stop here for 1 hour to take a walk down the pier, see beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, and visit the 3rd Street Promenade. Next, drive to an outdoor farmer's market for a 1-hour lunch stop. Here you can enjoy some of the best food in LA, freshly prepared from local produce. Enjoy family-friendly activities and shop at the famous Grove in Beverly Hills. Then, head for the Griffith Observatory for views of the Hollywood Sign, space and science exhibits, and downtown LA. Finally, travel to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Check out Grauman's Chinese Theater, the Dolby Theater, and take a photo with your favorite celebrity's star.

Los Angeles: Private Full-Day Tour by SUV

6. Los Angeles: Private Full-Day Tour by SUV

Enjoy a flexible sightseeing tour through Los Angeles. After the pick-up at your hotel you will begin the tour through El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora La Reina de Los Ángeles de Porciuncula – this is the name the natives once gave the city. Experience an exciting and informative tour. Learn about the history of the city as well as the current developments. Visit the famous Hollywood sign up close and see the world-famous film studios. Stroll along the Walk of Fame and learn more about the stars who are listed here. Continue on past the Kodak Theatre, the location where the coveted Oscars is held. Afterwards you will see the Chinese Theatre with the famous hand and footprints. You will then head through West Hollywood on the Sunset Strip. There you can admire the famous Viper Room, the Whisky a Go Go, the legendary rock club, and various famous hotels before driving to Beverly Hills and the world-famous Rodeo Drive. See the store from which Julia Roberts was kicked out of in the movie Pretty Woman. At the end of the tour you can enjoy the fantastic views on the pier in Santa Monica and explore the bohemian district of Venice Beach.

Los Angeles: Santa Monica and Venice Electric Bike Tour

7. Los Angeles: Santa Monica and Venice Electric Bike Tour

Try something new on your trip to Los Angeles and ride an electric bicycle around the neighborhoods of Santa Monica and Venice. Hop on a colorful Pedego electric bicycle for a relaxing ride in the sunshine, where you can enjoy the mild warm temperatures of Los Angeles. This active and fun bicycle ride lets you choose whether to pedal or not, and takes you to places in the city often unreachable by car or bus. From the cushy seat of your cool comfortable Pedego beach cruiser you will ride along Santa Monica’s award-winning beach to the Marion Davies Guesthouse, Under the Santa Monica Pier, and through Venice to the Venice Canals.  You will be accompanied by a storytelling guide with interesting facts about the local art, architecture, and history of the area while you soak in the sun, surf, sand, and ocean breezes. The bicycle allows you to choose your own comfort level between pedaling with 6 gears, using the electric motor power which puts the power completely in your control, or both.  All bikes are equipped with state-of-the-art disc brakes. The lithium power assist will ensure that you are never far behind. This tour operates daily and is designed for bicycle riders aged 14 years and up who appreciate the joy of riding a bicycle with a surprisingly fun added option.

Los Angeles: Best of LA Bus Tour

8. Los Angeles: Best of LA Bus Tour

Admire in LA's top attractions on a guided bus tour that is customized to your preferences. Take in Hollywood, Paramount Studios, and the Greek Theatre. Stop at the Santa Monica Pier and Beach, the Original Farmers Market, and the Griffith Observatory. Meet your guide on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Climb aboard the bus and head straight to Santa Monica. On the drive, listen to entertaining stories and take in Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive.  See views of the affluent Bel-Air neighborhood and the Getty. Stop at Santa Monica Pier and Beach for an hour to explore the famous boardwalk, shop along the 3rd Street Promenade, and see why Southern California is famous for its beaches.  Head back to the bus to take in Culver City and Museum Row. Get insider tips on the best restaurants and museums. Have an hour lunch break at the Grove/the Original Famers Market which is known for some of LA's best dining and shopping.  Continue past Fairfax, Melrose, Paramount Studios, the Greek Theatre, and Griffith Park. Take in sweeping views of the Los Angeles Basin from the Griffith Observatory. Capture pictures of views of Downtown Los Angeles, the ocean, and the Hollywood sign.  As you head back to the Hollywood Walk of Fame to end your tour, see the Capitol Records Building and explore more of Hollywood Blvd.

California Coastline Helicopter Tour

9. California Coastline Helicopter Tour

Glide through the melting sunset over the California Coastline, sweep over the Santa Monica Mountains, or get great views over the exclusive homes of the Pacific Palisades. This is a unique and thrilling 30-minute helicopter tour exploring the Los Angeles Coast. The California Coastline tour is available at any time during the day and is a must for anyone who loves the ocean. Take off from the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, heading south to fly over the Santa Monica Mountains and drop down into the spectacular coastal homes of Pacific Palisades. Fly low-level along the world famous beaches of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Pier, and Venice. On your way back to the Airport, you'll fly over the new Getty Center, with its grand architecture appearing ever more dramatic from the sky.

Los Angeles: 2-hour Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica

10. Los Angeles: 2-hour Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica

Experience a fully private surf lesson which is great for people who have always wanted to learn to surf or who just want to improve their surf game.  Even first-timers are welcome to join and with a private tour, you'll be able to learn at your own pace.  Learn from your professional certified instructor, who will help make you more comfortable on the surfboard and in the water. This lesson will meet in the world famous Venice Beach, where people of all ages gather to enjoy the beautiful Southern California sun and surf. Before your lesson, get outfitted with a wet suit and surfboard before heading down to the beach. Depending on your level, either go straight to the line up with the instructor or have an extended training session on the sand as you learn all the important aspects of surfing. Your instructor will teach you how to pop up on the board, educate you about the ocean and end the land lesson with the most important part - safety. After that, spend the remaining time with the instructor in the ocean. After the class, follow the instructor to an outdoor public shower where you will be able to rinse off. This private lesson can be booked for 1 or 2 people and basic swimming skills are required in order to join. You don't need to worry about your belongings, which will be securely stored in the locked surf school van. If you've always been interested in surfing and you prefer a private, customized experience, then this is the lesson for you!

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Frequently asked questions about Santa Monica, California

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Other Sightseeing Options in Santa Monica, California

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What people are saying about Santa Monica, California

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 2,548 reviews

Love the Go City pass, super easy to use and very worth it for the price and actives that we have access too! and the app as well as the website was very easy to operate to purchase the tickets. One last thing, i would like to give a shoutout to the individual i spoke to over the phone to assure me of how the tickets and passes worked.

This was an excellent tour! Barb was knowledgeable, laid back with a great manner for this tour. We try to do bike tours any time we travel and this one did not disappoint. Great way to combine the great outdoors, some exercise and some sightseeing. The bikes were in fantastic condition and we would highly recommend !

It is absolutely value for money.You should visit many places in the day otherwise if you go only to once every day , don't buy it.

Amazing! Got to see all of LA with the help of Sean and shay. Fab tour guides.

Interessante Tour durch LA. Der Guide war unterhaltsam.