Are you looking for an adventure-infused weekend in Santa Monica?
As a Professional Adventure Seeker (no really, that’s what my business card says!) I’ve visited Santa Monica multiple times in search of the perfect beachside experiences. While the area is world famous for its solar-powered Ferris Wheel and the end of Route 66, there are so many active adventures waiting to be discovered.
So after a recent trip to Santa Monica, I wanted to showcase how you could spend a weekend in Santa Monica, soaking in as many seaside active adventures as possible (hint, there may be a swimming with dolphins story involved)! So dig into this guide and start planning your next trip!
About Santa Monica
Santa Monica is an iconic city with the Santa Monica Pier as its flagship attraction set on a strip of sandy beaches and palm tree-lined pathways. A regular retreat for locals from LA and visitors from afar, this is where travelers come to soak in the sun, enjoy the beach activities, and then head to land for the hotels, food, and shopping. I love the destination because they are leaders in sustainability, from their solar-powered Ferris Wheel (the only one in the world!) to their green (and free) golf cart circuit, to a new Leed-certified hotel. Standing on the shores of Mother Ocean they know it’s their responsibility to protect her for future generations and they truly believe in investing in sustainability, making them leaders in our industry.
Weekend in Santa Monica – Adventures
Surf Lesson with Aqua Surf School
So there I was, about to catch my next wave when my instructor pointed out, about 20 feet behind my board. He said, “They are swimming this way!” and I could see the dolphin fins heading in our direction. I quickly turned my board around and paddled out into the sea, and then laid on my board, head down on my folded hands, so I could get as close to the water as possible. And then it happened…
A pod of dolphins swam around our boards. Gasp. Tears. Wow.
So while I was there for an epic surf lesson, I walked away with a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, and I’m hoping the same for you.
Our surf lessons didn’t start with a dolphin encounter, but with meeting our Aqua Surf School instructor in the Santa Monica parking lot. After getting geared up in a thin wetsuit and grabbing a board, we walked through the sand to the shore and started a beach lesson. After proving my surfing skills (I’m no expert but I’ve been a few times), we were ready to hit the water and start reading the waves. I love having an instructor as I feel like it amplifies your odds at success and I caught every wave that I tried for on that October day.
Aqua Surf School has been welcoming new and experienced riders to the beach for almost 30 years! They are passionate about sharing their love of surfing in a safe, fun, and professional way. With a systematic approach to teaching students, you get to enjoy an amazing surf lesson and be a part of a vibrant surf community. If you’re like me, you’ll probably be hooked and want to surf again and again, long after your lesson is over!
Surf Adventure Tips:
- Watch for seagulls in the sky, they tend to follow the dolphins so if you see seagulls the dolphins may be close by!
- Dress in swimwear that can easily have a wetsuit go overtop.
- Wear more sunscreen on your face than you think you’ll need.
- Bring a water bottle and a towel to dry off.
- Tips are not required but are much appreciated by guides.
Guided Bike Tour in Santa Monica
As someone who goes on a LOT of guided tours, it’s not easy to impress me, but our guide Erik with Bikes & Hikes LA was one of the best guides I have ever had in ten years!
A true California local, he had big energy and good vibes that radiated as soon as we met and kept flowing throughout our whole tour. His passion for Santa Monica and the region was evident in his storytelling and his examples about how the region has transformed along the way.
While we were there to see sights like the Santa Monica Pier, Muscle Beach, the Santa Monica murals, and the bike paths through the city, my favourite part was when Erik took us down to meet the locals on the beach. From the dragon kite spinner to the “dudes” hanging out on the rings, it was neat to see him mingle along with the locals and show us a bit about Santa Monica that we may have just ridden past on a traditional tour.
But this tour was not a traditional tour, this was an up close and personal look at Santa Monica. As Erik said, “No two tours are the same,” as he maneuvered through events, the pier, and the streets, showcasing what had changed from one day to the next, and doing things like talking to the local securing guards at a pop-up concert to give us insight as to what was happening.
This is a tour that I’d go back and do again, knowing I may have a completely different experience seeing and meeting different characters along the way. My only complaint was that one hour wasn’t enough (so Erik did stretch it out for us), so I recommend booking at least a 2-hour tour so you can see as much as possible while visiting the region.
Bike Tour Adventure Tips:
- Dress comfortably for biking, bring a sweater if you need it as the temperature can change close to the water.
- Sunscreen is recommended for sunny days.
- Bring a water bottle and a small backpack for essentials (like your camera) and a snack if you’re going for longer than an hour.
Beach Volleyball Lesson In Santa Monica with Former and Future (fingers crossed) Olympians
Imagine walking up to a beach volleyball lesson only to find out that the two professional players on the court, who were warming up while they waited for us, were world-class volleyball players. That’s what you get when you sign up for volleyball lessons with Santa Monica-born Sinjin and his son Hagen Smith.
Sinjin is a local legend who debuted in the first-ever beach volleyball Olympics in 1996. His son Hagen led our lessons and Haggen hopes to be competing in the 2028 Olympics which will be hosted at home in Los Angeles and the Santa Monica area. While Sinjin has many accolades under his belt including winning many world titles and being inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame, he still can be seen on the court daily, sharing his passion through coaching.
Our experience may not have us quite ready for the Olympics, but Hagen was a well-educated, kind, and gentle guide. He led us through a variety of volleyball drills, while ultimately all connecting them and at the end, we were able to get a few rallies going. I have a whole new appreciation for the sport, especially in the sand, which is much more challenging than it looks on TV.
So if you’re looking to hit up the local beach volleyball scene you can either head down to the courts with your own ball or you can sign up for lessons like we did with Sinjin and his coaching team. I highly recommend lessons as these world-class players are great instructors and are keen to share their passion for the sport with you. More information can be found on their website.
Weekend in Santa Monica – Attractions
Santa Monica Pier
No trip to Santa Monica is complete without a visit to the iconic Santa Monica Pier. A foundation of the region and a well-known landmark, the pier is a place where both visitors and locals come together. With 496.951 square feet, there is a lot to explore on the pier. Pacific Park is home to 12 thrilling rides including the Pacific Wheel (the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel) and the West Coaster (the only West Coast oceanfront roller coaster). Try your luck at some boardwalk-style midway games or grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants, treat shops, or food carts.
Fun fact: the original pier was renovated and revitalized after storms and contains some of the wood from the original pier (renovations started in 1987 and finished in 1990). This was just one of the fun facts that we learned on our bike tour!
Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market
A great way to get to know a community is to visit the local Farmer’s Market. Meet with artisans and farmers, learn about their businesses, and indulge in some of their amazing products. From fresh strawberries to vegetables for munching, to baked goods (that you could smell before you hit the booth) to cheeses, and spreads. We loved how it was a central gathering place for the community, as you heard and saw the vendors greet the locals by name (and often hugs), as they purchased their ingredients for their upcoming busy week. The Santa Monica Farmers Market happens on Wednesdays and Saturdays, be sure to check it out!
Mural Walk In Santa Monica
When cities invest in community art, the murals that result help tell the stories of the past, the dreams for the future, and give a visual insight into the culture of the town. Santa Monica is home to more than 170 murals within its 8.3 square miles and eight distinct neighbourhoods. Supported by the local community, businesses, the City of Santa Monica, as well as Beautify Earth, the sides of the buildings have come alive in an inspiring display of colour and art.
Beautify Earth deserves special recognition for its work in Santa Monica. They are a not-for-profit that has a mission of “transforming every wall into a beautiful piece of art” and has sponsored the majority of the murals in Santa Monica. For a complete guide to the murals in Santa Monica check out this mural guide.
Third Street Promenade
If you’re looking for shopping, check out the Third Street Promenade which conveniently connects to the Santa Monica Farmers Market. This open-air road is car-free allowing you to roam the streets and visit over 80 stores. While the shopping is on point, the food and beverage scene is as well with lots of restaurants to stop and rest your wandering legs.
Where to Eat in Santa Monica
Whether it’s loading up on fuel before you head out for the day or winding down your day talking about your great adventures, knowing where to eat the best food in Santa Monica is the perfect final ingredient to crafting the ultimate weekend in Santa Monica. Here are my favs to get your mouth watering
Where To Eat Breakfast In Santa Monica
Shore Hotel
As an adventurist, I like a quick breakfast that is either served in the room or a grab-and-go style, so for your weekend in Santa Monica I’d suggest ordering in-room dining and enjoying breakfast in bed.
Where to Eat Lunch In Santa Monica
Blue Plate Taco
Let me introduce you to the best guacamole you’ll ever have. Handcrafted with the perfect mix of spices and natural flavour, this appetizer served with corn chips was the quintessential perfection when it comes to Mexican cuisine. And this is only the first round!
Blue Plate Taco is founded on sustainable farm ingredients, organic foods, house-made guacamole, and of course the best tacos around. We enjoyed this meal so much we tried to find time in our itinerary to be able to go back (of which we didn’t so now we need to plan another trip!). This street-side restaurant fuses Baja decor, amazing food, and the vibrating buzz that can only be found on the streets of Santa Monica.
It’s a non-negotiable for me, you MUST eat at Blue Plate Taco when visiting Santa Monica!
Where to Eat Dinner in Santa Monica
The Curious Palate
The Curious Palate’s motto says it all, “For us, cooking is all about connecting with people – and with the earth. That means we’re always exploring new ways of supporting artisans and local producers who can provide us with fresh, sustainable, natural ingredients.” Touted as a food lovers paradise, their menu boats farm-to-table dishes that are hand-crafted in the kitchen inviting you to explore tasty artisanal fare.
Intentionally located in a mall, they have chosen their location to accommodate the flow of people, providing accessible meeting space and inviting neighbours to gather on their patio. I was a bit curious when we made our way through a mall to find such a well-known restaurant but after my first bite, I instantly knew what the buzz was about. This delicious meal is one I am still savouring and I wholeheartedly recommend checking out The Curious Palate on your weekend in Santa Monica.
Dinner at Cobi’s
Cobi’s is the quintessential Santa Monica restaurant for foodies and xenophilias alike. Set in the iconic Dhaba space, this vibrant restaurant creates a “have to be there” vibe with locals and visitors booking reservations. During our visit, I loved seeing how many locals were there, some celebrating birthdays, others on a date. The bright decor and intimate space are the perfect reflection of the food, a mix of Southeast Asian street fare served in an upscale setting. We were fortunate to enjoy our last meal in Santa Monica at Cobi’s and felt like it was the perfect way to celebrate our weekend in Santa Monica and reminisce about all of our incredible adventures. If you’re looking for a vibe, this is hands down the best restaurant in Santa Monica for that authentic energy and passion for Southeast Asian food.
Where to Stay in Santa Monica
Shore Hotel – Santa Monica’s first Leed Gold Certified Hotel
We were invited to stay at the Shore Hotel on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica and am excited to recommend this property. While it boasts all of the amenities that an ideal hotel has (great location, pool, restaurant, welcome drink, and more), I’m a huge fan because of their leadership in sustainability.
As Santa Monica’s first Leed Gold Certified Hotel, it is evident that sustainability is an important core value for the hotel, as it is stamped into the entrance as soon as you walk through the front doors. As a conscious traveler, I am looking for ways to have my accommodation stays reduce my carbon footprint, and choosing hotels that embrace sustainability is a great investment and a way to support a greener future.
Some of the ways that you as a traveler will experience their work in sustainable stays include:
- Eco-friendly design that minimizes natural resource consumption.
- The building was constructed with locally sourced recycled materials.
- They have implemented 100% marine biodegradable products for food and beverage-to-go containers.
- They have implemented large container room amenity products replacing the small single-use bottles.
- Empty coffee and tea capsules are sent back to Nespresso to be recycled, giving the pods a second life.
- They purchase organic local produce and “free trade foods whenever possible, including free-range poultry, eggs, and meat, wild-caught salmon, organic coffee, and organic locally grown fruits and vegetables.”
Book your stay at The Shore Hotel here!
How to Get Around Santa Monica
If you can get to Santa Monica without a car, I would highly recommend it. Parking can be expensive at hotels, and with the whole city within an 8-square-mile radius, it’s worth taking public transport, Uber, renting a bike, ride sharing or walking.
Circuit
Circuit is an all-electric ride-sharing program in Santa Monica that is free for users. You can download the app and then request a ride in the Santa Monica region, and a local luxury golf cart will come and pick you up and take you to some of the region’s most popular spots. Whether you’re looking to check out the Santa Monica Pier, Ocean Park, or the 3rd Street Promenade, Circuit can take you there. More info can be found here.
Fun facts about Circuit:
- Free of charge (they work with the city to supplement their services and sell advertising on their vehicles).
- You can tip your driver if you like but it’s not required.
- Easy to use – download the app and start saving (money and the environment).
- There is a maximum of 5 passengers per request, and you may be pooled with other riders if you have a smaller group (this is a great way to make friends!).
Uber / Lyft In Santa Monica
Uber and Lyft are popular ways to get around Santa Monica and we loved using the service. We only waited 1-3 minutes each time we needed a ride, and were able to get picked up right in front of our hotel, it was a seamless experience.
Final Thoughts On A Weekend in Santa Monica
Whether you’re heading to Santa Monica for a girl’s weekend, a family escape, or a couples retreat it is best to experience one adventure at a time. Get in with the locals and experience life on the beach, swim with dolphins, try a round of hoops at Muscle Beach, go for a guided bike tour, and of course, try a round of beach volleyball.
