The Perfect Day Trip to Santa Monica and Venice Beach: 1-Day Itinerary

A Perfect Day Trip to Santa Monica and Venice Beach

In this itinerary, you’ll start your day in Santa Monica before making your way down to fun and vibrant Venice Beach. 

Get Breakfast or Coffee on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica

Montana Avenue is one of my favorite pockets of Santa Monica, and the perfect place to start your day. I recommend grabbing a coffee or a bite to eat at one of these spots on (and around) this popular shopping and dining street: 

• The Courtyard Kitchen: A popular restaurant with a picturesque outdoor patio serving classic breakfast dishes. I recommend making reservations in advance, particularly if you’re visiting on a weekend. 
• Primo Passo Coffee: A cute coffee shop serving high-quality coffee and tea drinks, as well as pastries (including vegan and gluten-free options) and bagels. 
• Tartine Bakery: One of my favorite bakeries/coffee shops in LA (which also happens to be located in a stunning former mortuary). They have baked goods, as well as a small menu of more substantial breakfast dishes. It’s located a few blocks away from Montana Avenue. 

Stroll Through Third Street Promenade and Palisades Park

After breakfast, make your way over to Third Street Promenade. This lively outdoor pedestrian shopping street is one of the most popular spots to visit in Santa Monica. It’s a great place to do some shopping (or just window shopping)!

Once you are done at the Third Street Promenade, walk over to Palisades Park. This scenic, palm tree-lined park parallels Ocean Avenue and overlooks Santa Monica State Beach. You’ll also get picture-perfect views of the Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Coast Highway down below.  

Check Out the Santa Monica Pier and Muscle Beach

Continue walking south through Palisades Park, and you’ll make your way to the entrance to Santa Monica Pier. 

I’m personally not the biggest fan of going out on the pier, especially when it’s busy (the crowds are no joke!). That said, if you want to check it out, you can stroll down the pier to take in the views of the coastline. You can even enjoy a ride at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, an oceanfront amusement park. 

From the pier, you can take the stairs down to Muscle Beach (located just south of the pier). This iconic oceanside workout space dates back to the 1930s. If you’re visiting during a busier time, you’ll probably see some gymnasts and athletes showing off their skills on the bars, swings, and ropes!

Make Your Way to Venice Beach (Bike or Drive!)

After you’ve explored Santa Monica, it’s time to make your way down to Venice Beach. You have two options for getting there: do an oceanside bike ride down The Strand (a paved bike path), or just drive down to Venice. 

If you want to ride a bike from Santa Monica to Venice, you can rent a bike from Perry’s Cafe and Beach Rentals. There are multiple locations along Ocean Front Walk, but I’d recommend renting a bike from the 1200 Pacific Coast Highway location. 

The ride from this bike rental shop down to Windward Plaza in Venice Beach is about 2.5 miles, and will take 15 to 20 minutes without stops. 

You can choose to rent the bike for an hour and just take it one way (in which case you’d need to take a rideshare back to Santa Monica at the end of the day). If you want to do this, you can drop off your bike at one of the Perry’s locations in Venice (at 2100-1 Ocean Front Walk or 3100 Ocean Front Walk). Just note that there is a small one-way bike drop-off fee. 

Alternatively, you can keep the bike for the afternoon and ride it back up to Santa Monica at the end of your time in Venice (just be mindful of when Perry’s closes for the day!). If you choose to do this, you can lock it up at one of the bike racks around Venice when needed. Just be sure to book a lock from Perry’s! You’ll find bike racks around Windward Plaza, as well as on Abbot Kinney. 

If you prefer a more guided experience, consider booking a small group electric bike tour of Santa Monica and Venice. On this guided 3-hour tour, you’ll bike The Strand and check out some of the most iconic spots in the area, including the pier and the Venice Canals.

Explore the Venice Boardwalk 

Once you’ve arrived in Venice, explore the vibrant (and often very busy!) Venice Boardwalk. You’ll see an eclectic mix of people around the palm tree-lined boardwalk, including street performers and vendors selling their goods. 

If you’d like, you can watch the skaters at the Venice Beach Skatepark (a cool skatepark right on the sand!), and take a look at the nearby public art walls. You can also walk up Windward Avenue to get a glimpse of the famous Venice sign. 

Get Lunch in Venice 

Next, grab lunch in Venice. Here are a few options right near the boardwalk and on Abbot Kinney (the next stop in the itinerary):

• Great White: A popular restaurant with a great selection of brunch and lunch items (think breakfast burritos, smoothie bowls, sandwiches, tacos, and more). There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Note that they don’t take lunch reservations, so there may be a wait!
• The Butcher’s Daughter: A fully vegetarian restaurant (and one of my favorite vegan-friendly restaurants in Los Angeles!) on Abbot Kinney with a great menu (including an all-day breakfast menu) that changes each season. They have really delicious, creative pizzas, and I always love their sandwiches. They also have plenty of gluten-free dishes. I recommend making a reservation. 
• Bellissimo Venice: A low-key but well-loved cafe and market near the boardwalk known for its high-quality sandwiches and wraps. There are a few vegan and vegetarian options. 

Stroll Down Abbot Kinney

After lunch, spend some time strolling down Abbot Kinney – a street that has earned the title of coolest block in America. You’ll find an eclectic mix of shops (including local boutiques and recognizable brand stores), galleries, cafes, and eateries. 

While you’re there, I recommend stopping in Goodies. This shop sells unique home goods, all of which are priced under $25. I also love Burro, an artsy shop selling apparel, books, stationery, home goods, and so much more. 

If you need a caffeine boost, I recommend stopping by Intelligentsia. I love their Avena latte! For something sweet, stop by Salt & Straw ice cream. 

As you stroll down Abbot Kinney, be sure to keep an eye out for the cool (and always changing!) street art on the sides of the buildings. 

Visit the Venice Canals 

Once you are done at Abbot Kinney, walk over to the Venice Canals. You can enter from either Carroll Avenue or Dell Avenue. 

These man made canals date back to the early 1900s, and were built to bring a bit of Venice, Italy to California. There are pedestrian walkways and multiple footbridges throughout the canals, so you can spend some time strolling through the area and taking in the view! 

Keep in mind that this is a neighborhood. Be respectful of the residents in the area!

End Your Day with Dinner

End your Venice and Santa Monica day trip with dinner in the area! Here are a couple of my favorite restaurants in both Santa Monica and Venice:

• Birdie G’s: A modern restaurant set in a cool industrial space serving a selection of elevated yet homey dishes. I also love their cocktails! They have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Reservations recommended. 
• Library Alehouse: A cozy spot in Santa Monica’s Ocean Park neighborhood serving delicious burgers and tap beers. They have vegetarian and vegan options. Reservations recommended. 
• Chulita: A modern Mexican restaurant in Venice with a fun Tulum-inspired space serving tacos, ceviche, nachos, and more. They also have amazing tequila and mezcal-based cocktails. The menu includes vegetarian and vegan options. Reservations recommended. 

Additional Things To Do In and Around Santa Monica & Venice Beach

Here are some additional ideas on things to do in Santa Monica, Venice, and the surrounding area: 

• Shop in Ocean Park: Ocean Park is a Santa Monica neighborhood just south of downtown that has a fun, local feel. Stop in some of the local shops on Main Street, and consider grabbing drinks at JuneShine. 
• Learn to Surf: For a true SoCal experience, consider booking a small group surf lesson in Santa Monica! You can also book a private surf lesson if you’d like a bit more guidance. 
• Enjoy a Boat Excursion: Get out on the water and have a truly unforgettable experience! Consider booking a shared boat cruise (wine and charcuterie included!). Alternatively, book a private sailing experience, where you’ll cruise by Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Malibu while drinking wine and snacking on hors d’oeuvres. Both of these experiences depart from Marina Del Rey. 
• Try a Local Food Tour: If you consider yourself a foodie, do a local food tour! Try a general Venice Beach food tour, or a taco tour through Santa Monica. If you love sweets, consider booking the Santa Monica donut food tour!
• Check Out the Santa Monica Farmers Market: Shop for fresh and local produce and goods at this farmers market, which is hosted on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 
• Head up to Malibu: If you are visiting the area as part of an extended Southern California trip, consider spending a day in Malibu.