The California you think you know – the one that’s filled with glamour, celebrities and non-stop action thrives in pockets along the West Coast, but if you’re looking for a more pared back version, where relaxation and wellbeing are key, Santa Monica is your place. A pocket of tranquillity with miles of golden sands, crystal clear waves and a thriving foodie scene, it’s an area you need to add to your travel list in 2024.
Teetering on the western edge of Los Angeles County, Santa Monica is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, West Los Angeles to the East and Venice to the Southeast. The beaches span for 3.5 miles, yet this destination is about more than just feeling the sand between your toes and the sun on your skin.
To Do In Santa Monica
With a thriving arts and culture scene, you can spend your days dipping in and out of galleries, meeting with local artists and immersing yourself in the more nitty gritty creative side of the city. You can tour the 18th Street Arts Centre, one of the top artist residency programs in the US and the largest in Southern California, or head to the Bergamot Station Art Gallery – a leading arts and cultural hub of visual and performing arts organisations. Here you can see a rotation of mesmerising art works as well as comedy shows in the on-site community-driven space The Crow.
The Crow – short for ‘Comedy Reflects Our World’ is a comedy club and educational space that works to partner with the local community and share their passion for comedy and performing. Welcoming all ages, abilities and genders, it’s a fantastic experience to visit solo, with friends or family.
If you love the arts scene, make sure you time your visit with the annual Frieze Festival. Taking place at Santa Monica Airport, it features over 95 of the most exciting galleries around the world and offers a glimpse of some truly incredible pieces of art. Frequented by collectors, trade, members of the public and celebrities alike it’s a brilliant day out for a culture fix.
There is a real collaborative, community sense here and it feels like a city that you can make your own. It’s somewhere to get inspired, where you can get lost wandering the boutique shops of Montana Avenue – a stretch of more than 150 restaurants and places to purchase everything from clothes and shoes to homewares, food and beauty products. You can also visit the mainstream stores at Third Street Promenade – an area of three open-air, car-free streets that are anchored by upscale Santa Monica Place. This is home to more than 80 shops and whether you’re after a high street outfit, something designer or to pop for a bite to eat, it’s well worth a visit. This area also hosts the Santa Monica Farmers Market every Wednesday morning until 1pm – a great spot to pick up some fresh produce and witness the local chefs in action, scouring out the best ingredients for their restaurants.
As well as rubbing shoulders with local creatives, chefs and artists, take the time to do some of the more well-known tourist stops too. Head to Santa Monica Pier where you can ride the ferris wheel, play traditional arcade games or visit the aquarium. You can eat until you burst in one of the many restaurants, fast food outlets, cafes and snack bars, shop for souvenirs and enjoy the eclectic mix of live performances. We recommend heading down at sunset where you can soak up the unspoilt views of the coastline, taking in the natural beauty it has to offer and just enjoying the buzzing atmosphere.
Whilst in the area, you’ll also want to visit the original Muscle Beach – an area popularised in the 1950s that’s featured in many films and hosted a plethora of famous actors and die-hard fitness enthusiasts. You can also meandre the boardwalk, or perhaps take bikes where you can cycle down to Venice Beach or Malibu.
An area of such outstanding natural beauty, it’s impossible not to feel relaxed in Santa Monica. Look around and you’ll see people whizzing past on roller blades, sprawling on the sand, basking under the sun, stretched into yoga poses and sipping on ice lattes. It’s a city that has all the convenience and amenities you’d expect, but without the busy-ness, the sense of urgency and the stress that usually comes with the territory. People are friendly, the food scene is to die for and there are so many fantastic hotels it’s near impossible to decide which to make your base.
To Stay In Santa Monica
We recommend staying at the Fairmont Miramar for an oasis-style paradise. A stone throw from the beach, it’s complete with a beautiful on-site spa, fitness centre and swimming pool, as well as a choice between hotel rooms, suites and bungalows. For something a little simpler, but still a beautiful place to stay and featuring a breathtaking sky-high bar, The Huntley is a must. Just across the road from the Fairmont Miramar, it has a fantastic coffee shop, outside jacuzzi area and gym.
Don’t Miss: Our review of the Fairmont Miramar
For those wanting a truly luxurious lifestyle experience, the Proper Hotel located along the sun-drenched Wilshire Boulevard is an effortless choice. Perfectly encapsulating the neutral, beach colours and textures of Santa Monica, it’s the ideal spot to relax and focus on your wellbeing. Be sure to visit the hotel’s Surya Spa where you can partake in custom-designed programs designed to support your physical, mental and spiritual health.
Other hotels to note include Shutters on the Beach – a luxury place to stay that blends modern comfort with a relaxing ambiance and is perched directly on the beach, giving unrivalled access to the crystal clear waters and powdery sands. With 198 rooms and suites, a beautiful pool overlooking the ocean and plenty of spaces to dine and relax, it offers all you could want during your stay.
Shutters on the Beach sister hotel, Casa del Mar is located just across the road and when you stay at one, you can play in either. This means you have access to the wellbeing facilities in both and can make the most of the different vibes from both properties. Casa del Mar is perhaps the more well-known of the two and has long been known as a destination for the rich and famous, including many Hollywood stars. This hotel is more traditional in design, but still focuses on providing a real 5* experience for all guests.
The Food In Santa Monica
While Santa Monica is a destination for wellness, it doesn’t mean you’ll go hungry or be stuck on a limited diet while you’re here. In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Santa Monica has an enviable foodie scene where you can be as indulgent as you like. From teetering piles of pancakes drizzled with syrup and berries, to mouthwatering fresh pasta, healthy salad bowls and sandwiches that ooze melted cheese, there’s something for everyone.
For Breakfast:
Start the day the right way at one of Santa Monica’s many hot breakfast spots. FIG in the Fairmont Miramar is an easy choice, with dishes including avocado on toast, french toast and pancakes, alongside a range of hot drinks, juices and smoothies. Made with fresh ingredients and packed with flavour, as well as being an utterly beautiful setting, you can’t go wrong.
Coast at Shutters on the Beach is another of our favourites and is an unmissable option when in the area. As stated above, you can’t dine any closer to the beach and while the views of swaying palm trees and the sound of the ocean is reason enough to visit, the interiors here are also utterly beautiful. With nautical style decor, floor to ceiling windows and a really retro-glamour feel, it makes the perfect backdrop to indulge in their breakfast offerings. We recommend the French toast, eggs any style or their signature lemon-ricotta pancakes. The Huntley Hotel also offers a great breakfast, accompanied by 360 views of Santa Monica and beyond.
For lunch:
Lunch in Santa Monica is another great chance to indulge in the city’s culinary delights. If you’re fancying a light bite with a great atmosphere, Bluey’s is a real local gem that can’t be missed. Dine al fresco in The Courtyard Kitchen – with a great patio area and walls adorned with quirky art, or True Food for a nutrient-rich menu of Mediterranean/Asian flavours. For grab and go or languid afternoons wining and dining with friends, you’re sure to find a myriad of options here.
For dinner:
Dinner in Santa Monica is another affair that you can make of it what you wish. There are some fantastic dining options here, yet each continues the same laid back vibe of the city, without compromising on atmosphere or quality. Feast on culinary excellence in Michelin starred Citrin, headed up by Chef Josiah Citrin or awaken your taste buds at Cassia, an incredible restaurant that celebrates the fresh, vibrant flavours of China, Singapore, and Vietnam. For a super chilled vibe, reserve a table at Le Great Outdoor – an al fresco dining destination complete with a unique farm to table experience over an open fire.
Our Take On Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a destination with so much to give, without feeling overwhelming. It has old-school Hollywood glamour interwoven to its core but is much more laid back, offering a break away where you can really let your hair down and just relax. There’s no pressure to do anything while you’re here, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find yourself being swept up in the wellness that encapsulates the destination.
I was shocked to find myself in the gym at the Fairmont Miramar at 7am on a Tuesday morning, lured by the stunning views and excellent facilities – and even more surprised it was something I tried to do each morning of my trip. I sipped more green smoothies than I ever have in my life and felt my body physically relax as I breathed in the sea air and let my toes pad across the soft sands of the beach with no real destination in mind. It’s somewhere you can make action packed, or where you can let yourself just be. You can get your art and culture fix, shop until you drop, wine, dine and marvel at the sunsets, or you can simply flop by a pool and forget about the rest of the world. It’s a destination that’s special and somewhere that lends itself to long weekends, as a road trip stop, or a place to spend two weeks off work. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Santa Monica and we guarantee you’ll leave feeling better, happier and more relaxed than you can probably remember. They say life’s better at the beach, we believe life’s better in Santa Monica.
