Is Santa Monica expensive to visit?
Santa Monica is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $248. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs, comparable to places like Key West and Winnipeg.
Santa Monica, California
How expensive is Santa Monica?
On average, visitors spend about $248 per day when visiting Santa Monica (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $496 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Santa Monica here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Santa Monica?
A weekend trip to Santa Monica costs about $744 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,487.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Santa Monica?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Santa Monica costs around $1,735 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $3,470.
Is it expensive to backpack in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica is often overlooked by backpackers, as there is a very limited selection of hostels. Because there aren't any hostels and few other amenities that cater to backpackers, prices might be higher than you'd expect. This is particularly true for solo travelers who many have to pay the full cost for a hotel room. To save money, look for budget hotels in convenient locations.
Are hotels expensive in Santa Monica?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Santa Monica, it becomes apparent that they are somewhat more affordable in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $110 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $754 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $269 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $201 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Santa Monica
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 0 | $754 |
| 4 stars | 0 | $478 |
| 3 stars | 0 | $269 |
| 2 stars | 0 | $201 |
| 1 star | 0 | $254 |
| No rating | 0 | $301 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Santa Monica?
Activities and things to do in Santa Monica can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $38 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $56.
- Santa Monica & Venice Bike Tour: $95
- Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour: $4.94
- Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Onewheel Board Experience: $80
- Santa Monica Ice Cream Tour 4 Stops Samples and Full Scoops: $80
- Hidden Los Angeles Private Photo Tour - Best for social media: $164
- Museum of Illusions Santa Monica Admission Ticket: $31
- Marina del Rey Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch Cruise: $134
Is food expensive in Santa Monica?
Food in Santa Monica can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $91 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $97. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
- 1.5hr Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
- Marina del Rey Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise: $187
Is transportation expensive in Santa Monica?
The prices of local transportation in Santa Monica can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $50 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Santa Monica
If you're planning a trip to Santa Monica, California, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.