Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Santa Monica?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Santa Monica?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Santa Monica, California? Most people spend one to three days in Santa Monica during their visit. After all, the energetic town will let you swim at the beach, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, take advantage of the local nightlife, and go shopping.
Santa Monica is a famous beach town near Los Angeles. The beach is a lively place with bike trails, parks, and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. There's also the famous "Muscle Beach" which is an outdoor gym, and the amusement park on the iconic pier.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Santa Monica? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Santa Monica?
One week is more than sufficient for a beach trip to Santa Monica, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Swim at the beach, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, take advantage of the local nightlife, and go shopping on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Santa Monica as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend a week in Santa Monica
When visiting Santa Monica, you absolutely can't miss the Santa Monica Pier as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Vintage VW Hippie Tour to Malibu with wine tasting ($195)
Santa Monica is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.
The beautiful beaches await you in Santa Monica, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Surf Lesson 1.5 Hr Kapowui Santa Monica ($140)
- 5.5-Hour Exclusive Malibu Stars Homes & Beautiful Beach Tour ($89)
- Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica ($125)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.
Shopping in Santa Monica is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Santa Monica.
You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
After you've explored most of Santa Monica, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 5 Hours Los Angeles and Hollywood Day Trip ($119)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Santa Monica.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Santa Monica. Plenty of amazing options are available.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Santa Monica.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Santa Monica?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Santa Monica. Many visitors prefer to spend one to three days here, so more time would allow you to experience the beaches, the cuisine, the nightlife, and the many shops at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Santa Monica, California
How to spend 2 weeks in Santa Monica
With 2 weeks in Santa Monica, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- 5 Hours Los Angeles and Hollywood Day Trip ($119)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Santa Monica, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.