11 TOP ACTIVITIES IN SANTA MONICA

11 TOP ACTIVITIES IN SANTA MONICA

Regardless of the season, Santa Monica’s picturesque 26-mile coastline and bright, year-round weather entice even the most ferocious indoor cat to venture outdoors. The beachside California community, only 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles, is home to 20 parks, a stretch of break that attracts surfers of all skill levels, farmers’ markets, and outdoor shopping and dining options. There are also over 100 miles of bike lanes across the city.11 TOP ACTIVITIES IN SANTA MONICA

 

Though it spans just eight square miles, Santa Monica offers myriad things to do. Whether you’re looking to relax and listen to the sound of the waves, or ride them on a surfboard, heading to the coast is always a good idea. Here are some of the best things to do in Santa Monica:

 

1. Have a private picnic on the beach with Santa Monica Picnic Co.

Santa Monica Picnic Co. will set up everything you need for a coastal picnic, including a basket filled with charcuterie from Andrew’s Cheese Shop, blankets and pillows, mini picnic tables, and special touches like flameless candles, wireless speakers, and a Polaroid camera to record memories. To take the experience up a notch, the company offers add-ons like yoga and surf lessons or a sound bath meditation so you can get zen by the ocean.

 

2. Take a guided bike tour to Venice, or wheel yourself down “the Strand.”

Get a three-hour intro to Santa Monica on an electric bike with Pedal or Not. Riders zip past sand and surf, the Santa Monica Pier, Venice’s famous Muscle Beach, and the canal-lined blocks behind the Venice Boardwalk. An added plus: You’ll receive photographs of the experience in your inbox. For another biking option, grab your own set of wheels and cruise the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, known as “the Strand” to locals. The 22-mile route stretches along the coast from Pacific Palisades to Torrance, so you’ll get scenic glimpses of Southern California cities for free.

 

3. Learn about Santa Monica Pier’s secrets with a walking tour.

With the Secret Story Tour, you can explore the 114-year history of the Santa Monica Pier, the first concrete pier built on the West Coast; an interactive experience includes hidden clues to unlock little-known stories of the area. The digital quest is suitable for all ages and takes about an hour to explore the sun-splashed landmark. Santa Monica Walking Tours also offer a number of themed adventures to explore the area, including a soon-to-be-launched outdoor brunch tour highlighting local spots.

 

4. Catch a film at the Aero Theatre.

 

Located at the corner of 14th Street and Montana Avenue, the Aero Theatre is hard to miss, thanks to its streamline moderne–style facade. The Douglas Aircraft Company originally opened the Aero in 1940 and showed movies around the clock for employees who worked at the nearby aerospace plant, and the theater later made appearances in films like 10 to Midnight (1983) and Donnie Darko (2001). After a period of long decline, the theater closed in 2003, but it was purchased and renovated by the nonprofit organization American Cinematheque, which is dedicated to making publicly shown movies available to all. Nowadays, visitors can catch screenings of classics like Thelma & Louise, There Will Be Blood, and Dog Day Afternoon, often with in-person introductions and Q&As from filmmakers and performers.

5. Get a lesson in local history on Black Santa Monica Tours.

 

Black Santa Monica Tours and Concierge is headed by Robbie Jones, a Santa Monica native on a mission to introduce visitors to the ways Black culture had an impact on the community. Her passion is, in part, inspired by her grandmother, who owned property in the city’s Pico community. Jones currently offers a walking tour of Santa Monica’s little-known Black history. Schedule by calling 310-928-5891. You can also book a reservation through its website.

 

6. Take a proper Southern California surf lesson.

 

It doesn’t get more SoCal than an hour on a surfboard. Aqua Surf gives private lessons with surfboards and wet suits included in the rental, and for those who want more experience under their belt, multi-lesson packages are available. With year-round classes, you’ll go from wobbling to standing to crushing it in no time.

 

7. Soak up the sun at the beach

 

Santa Monica State Beach is one of the most famous stretches of sand in the city, if not the country. Spanning 3.5 miles, Santa Monica Beach offers white, sandy stretches and access to a variety of hotels, restaurants, and shops, plus the world-famous Santa Monica Pier. After getting your fill of the sun’s rays, don’t forget to at least make a short stop at the “most famous outdoor gym in the world,” the original Muscle Beach, which later gave rise to Venice’s Muscle Beach (located a little more than two miles south down the coast), where Arnold Schwarzenegger used to flex his pecs.

 

 

9. Taste uber-fresh California produce at a local farmers’ market.

 

Santa Monica’s farmers’ markets provide produce to numerous restaurants throughout Los Angeles. There are four weekly markets located in the city’s Downtown, Main Street, and Pico neighborhoods which pop up on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The most famous of the four is the downtown location (open on Wednesdays and Saturdays) and is one of the largest farmers markets in the country. Pro tip: buy some fresh veggies and hummus, then head to the beach to enjoy.

10. Grab tacos and beers at the city’s sole craft brewery.

 

Santa Monica Brew Works is the city’s first and only craft brewery. Enjoy one of its seasonal beers or sample the year-round lineup including the Head in the Clouds Juicy IPA. A curated food truck rotation offers fare ranging from tacos to burgers and even lobster rolls depending on the day. Gluten-free and veggie options are always available. Reservations recommended.

 

11. Check out the strings at McCabe’s Guitar Shop

 

Visiting McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica feels like a bit of a pilgrimage for any music fan. McCabe’s opened in 1958 and specializes in the sale of acoustic instruments like guitars, banjos, dulcimers, mandolins, and fiddles; musicians can also find a large selection of otherwise-hard-to-find folk sheet music here. Best of all, the store is also a live music venue, and everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Lucinda Williams to Townes Van Zandt has either recorded music here or graced its stage. Bob Dylan is said to be a particular fan of the store. McCabe’s nearly closed during the pandemic, but thanks to a devoted customer base, it’s still going strong.

 

11 TOP ACTIVITIES IN SANTA MONICA

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