Dogtown Coffee
You know you’re in Santa Monica when you see sun-kissed sands stretch for miles, as the rhythmic waves gently kiss the pristine shore and the sky transforms into a canvas of oranges and pinks, casting a magical glow over the tranquil waters. It was that one serendipitous moment; that unparalleled view from my room at the swanky Sandbourne Hotel, that made the long yet comfortable Qatar Airways flight across the world totally worth it. I knew there were a whole lot of surprises waiting to be unfurled, but this one stunning view made me surrender to the serenity that enveloped the space against the backdrop of the ocean’s gentle rhythm. I slept like a baby on my first night here with a smile on my face and dreams of a slow-island life that combines romance and thrills of endless exploration.
Beach Yoga & Breakfast
The best way of exploring Santa Monica is by foot. You can feel one with the locals as you walk around, sipping organic java from the popular Dogtown Coffee, where the rich legacy of surfing and skateboarding pulses through every cup of coffee and bite of breakfast, celebrating the spirit of the local community and soaking in the seaside charm. There’s something interesting at every step – from yoga and picnic on the beach to museum-hopping, exploring Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Ocean views, indulging in a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants or just spending an idyllic evening relaxing on the picturesque beaches. To add a bit of adventure, just tread the Marvin Braude Beach Trail (locally called “the Strand” or South Bay Bicycle Trail), a 22-mile paved trail and biking path that starts in Santa Monica and finishes at the Torrance County Beach, with great ocean views. If you’re looking to pace it down, then enjoy a guided yoga class on the sand with Beach Yoga SoCal, like we did, with the natural backdrop of the soothing sounds of the ocean. Beach yoga will work up an appetite for a delightful toes-in-the-sand healthy breakfast of fresh berries and avocado on toast. Ours was made special by the Santa Monica Picnic Co. You can also sign up for an invigorating spin class on the beach or a sound bath session on the sand.
Here’s some trivia – Santa Monica Beach is home to the Original Muscle Beach, a key site in the physical fitness boom of the 1950s just steps from the Santa Monica Pier with gymnastic equipment and talented athletes performing incredible tricks. Think parallel bars, rings, swings and ropes to train on grounds once frequented by fitness figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger. As the birthplace of modern beach volleyball, it is still a popular destination for athletes to train and for tourists to enjoy a sport integral to the destination’s history and culture, with many free-for-all beach volleyball courts.
Cheer on the Pier
In the middle of the beach, extending from Colorado Boulevard and the center of Santa Monica is the Santa Monica Pier, a landmark for the beach and the city, with rides and midway games at Pacific Park, Heal the Bay Aquarium, a solar-powered Ferris wheel for fantastic panoramic views, restaurants and shopping. Don’t miss some of the state’s most Instagrammable spots, including the “End of the Trail” sign signifying the commemorative end of the iconic Route 66.
The Pier was a popular fishing and boating destination in 1909 before evolving into an entertainment hub home to a bowling and billiards hall, lively ballroom and a carousel that is still standing today. While the Pier fell on hard times throughout the decades that threatened to close the beloved landmark, the city’s residents united to “Save the Pier” resulting in restoration and the designation of the Pier’s Looff Hippodrome building as a U.S. National historic landmark. Growth on the Pier continued with the opening of Pacific Park and the world’s first solar-powered Ferris Wheel. Today, it continues to welcome millions of visitors to enjoy incredible ocean views and experience a Southern California icon.
Cirque du Soleil: KOOZA
Cirque du Soleil is a must addition to your itinerary. KOOZA a show that blends perfection, subcontinental sounds, stunning lighting, costumes with theatrical ingenuity, art of clowning and acrobatic wonder lending an electrifying world full of surprises, thrills, audacity and total involvement reminded me of the popular film The Greatest Showman.
Beyond the Beaches
Beyond the sandy beaches, the parks provide a range of options. Take a walk along the palm tree-lined paths of Palisades Park, Tongva Park, Crescent Bay Park, the Douglas Park or The Bergamot Station Arts Center, an old train depot with 25 distinct galleries. Santa Monica boasts over 55 museums, galleries, parks and creative venues, with plenty of art spanning far beyond four walls, including public art and sculptures, street performers and street art murals. If you’re planning a holiday here, do check the events calendar for a cool line-up of live shows, farmers markets, gallery openings, outdoor concerts and more throughout the destination.
Along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) between Santa Monica and Malibu, The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades is a re-creation of a Roman country house offering ancient Greek and Roman art, tranquil gardens, and ocean breezes just minutes away from the heart of Santa Monica. This timeless sanctuary is where the splendour of ancient civilizations melds seamlessly with the serenity of lush gardens, for an unparalleled cultural escape. Situated on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this museum is dedicated to the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria. It is a replica of the Villa dei Papiri, a Roman country house buried in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D., housing thousands of Etruscan, Greek and Roman antiquities. Set in a canyon the tranquil villa houses beautifully manicured gardens with fountains, arbors and reflecting pools.
Grub Hub
Santa Monica is a leading culinary destination in Southern California, home to over 400 restaurants including 14 Michelin recommended. Start with happy hour on a rooftop bar overlooking the Pacific Ocean, like The Coco Club at Sonder The Beacon, and end the night dancing or saddled up to the counter at one of the city’s long-standing dive bars, Chez Jay. Celebrated dining options continue with Southeast Asian cuisine at Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Cobi’s serving South Asian dishes with panache, and fresh California flavours at Sandbourne’s restaurant Marelle by local Chef Raphael Lunetta. For beachfront dining options try The Lobster and celebrity favourite Élephante Beach House. Food made with fresh ingredients and vibrant produce is the key here at all the farm-to-table restaurants that culinary enthusiasts visiting Santa Monica will enjoy. Other celebrated fine dining restaurants include chef Josiah Citrin’s Two Star Michelin restaurant Mélisse, One Star Michelin restaurant Citrin serving modern California cuisine reflective of its coastal environment. You can try Tūmbi, if you’re missing Indian food this side of the world. We also tried our hand at cooking some California cuisine and bakes at the Gourmandise School, Santa Monica Place with culinary skills.
Hollywood Hangout
Santa Monica’s chic, laid-back vibes have made the city a favoured celebrity destination. Live like a star at The Georgian Hotel which famously hosted Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin, or book a night at the favourite celeb hideaway the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and workout at Gwyneth Paltrow-recommended fitness studio The Class. This city has played a starring role in many renowned movies and television shows, with both a rich history as an Old Hollywood hangout and as a modern celebrity hot spot. Locations throughout the destination have appeared on-screen, including the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park and many more. Some of the film and TV shows shot here include Rebel Without a Cause, Rocky III, Speed, Forrest Gump, The Big Lebowski, Ocean’s Eleven, Iron Man, 500 Days of Summer, The Social Network, Her, Barbie Movie, Baywatch, American Idol and more.
Stretching for more than 30 miles along the Pacific and Highway One, Malibu has achieved status as an icon among California beach towns, host to many Hollywood stars and top athletes who live in oceanfront homes, under an elegant veil of privacy on long strands of beach, surfing and unforgettable sunsets, dining and shopping. Enjoy world-famous California wines in Malibu, ranging from a casual tasting at Rosenthal to delectable wines in an enoteca setting at Stonehaus. Try the Malibu Discovery Wine Tour for a guided visit through Malibu’s winery offerings.
150 years of Santa Monica
On July 14, 2025, Santa Monica will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the city’s founding. From its start as a small seaside town to the world-class destination we see today, Santa Monica stays at the top fine dining destinations where the rich and famous come for a tranquil escape, while immersing in art and experiences cultivated through its 150 years of growth.
2028 Summer Olympics
Santa Monica is already gearing up for July 2028 Summer Olympics. With close proximity to Southern California’s spectacular sporting venues and ease of access to events throughout Los Angeles, this city could be your tranquil escape to experience this milestone event.
DAYS IN SANTA MONICA
Day 1
Begin your morning with yoga on the sand with Beach Yoga SoCal followed by a beach picnic with Santa Monica Picnic Co. Visit the Santa Monica Pier and check out the food before heading to Pacific Park.
Day 2
Save the day for trying out the endless culinary offerings Santa Monica has to offer and spend the rest of the day for shopping at Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place. At Santa Monica Place, visit the Gourmandise School and learn to make authentic California cuisine.
Day 3
History buffs can discover the architectural gems and culture through walking tours curated by the Santa Monica Conservancy. Then continue your tour of the city on your own with a self-guided tour of the street art murals. Flock to Bergamot Station Arts Center, a collection of galleries inside a former train depot. Later, head to the Main Street, home to a blend of cafes and shops. End your evening with dinner at Cobi’s, a Southeast Asian dining concept by celebrated chef Cobi Marsh.
Day 4
Begin your day exploring one of Santa Monica’s unique neighborhoods: Pico Boulevard. For breakfast, stop in at Lunetta All Day. Head up the Pacific Coast Highway for a scenic drive and stop by nearby Malibu. Visit the Getty Villa when in Malibu and enjoy a collection of Roman and Greek works of art housed in a beautiful villa overlooking the Pacific. Take a much-needed spa experience at Tikkun Holistic Spa, and end the day with a special meal at a Michelin- starred restaurant like Mélisse or Citrin in the Wilshire neighborhood.
Day 5
Begin your day with a walk through Ocean Park, a unique neighborhood where aviation history abounds thanks to the Santa Monica Airport and Museum of Flying. Also, the Sunday Santa Monica Airport Antique Market is noted as one of America’s Top Ten Flea Markets. For some of the best coffee in the city try Café Bolivar or Dogtown Coffee. Explore local highlights from an open-air, double decker bus and visit the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade and other Los Angeles landmarks. End the day at a creative eatery, Socalo.
Day 6
Begin with breakfast at Bodega Wine Bar. Explore Malibu, a robust wine region with more than 50 wineries. Enjoy a premium tasting experience with Malibu Discovery Wine Tours.
Day 7
Get a taste of the freshest ingredients and produce at the Wednesday Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market and then stroll along Montana Avenue, home to 150 restaurants and retailers. For your last evening in Santa Monica, catch the sunset at Élephante, an exclusive rooftop beach house with ocean views for an elevated cocktail and wine program and Instagram-worthy sunsets.