Things to do in Santa Monica

Planning questions about Santa Monica

What are the best things to do in Santa Monica?

Best of Los Angeles Guided City Tour with 4 Stops and Free Time is the highest ranked experience in Santa Monica, scoring 94 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 2,258 traveler reviews. Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus, Half Day Best of Los Angeles City Tour from Santa Monica, Santa Monica Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour, Malibu Open-Air Tour from Santa Monica with Celebrity Homes round out the top five. Outty ranks 163 bookable experiences in Santa Monica, United States, and 3 of them score 90 or above.

How much do activities in Santa Monica cost?

The median price across everything we rank in Santa Monica is $99 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $5 on Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.

Can I book something in Santa Monica for today?

Yes. 120 of the top 120 experiences we rank in Santa Monica currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.

Is Santa Monica good for families?

Yes. 16 of the experiences we rank in Santa Monica are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.

How many days do you need in Santa Monica?

Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

When is the best time to visit Santa Monica?

March to May and September to November, dodging the June marine layer. Prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

Can I cancel a booking in Santa Monica?

116 of the 120 experiences we rank in Santa Monica offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.

How does the Outty Ranking work?

Every experience in Santa Monica gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within Santa Monica so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.