As a city that proudly holds one of our You've Got Maids franchises, Santa Monica is an iconic location for their famous pier and beachside attractions. They do have some secret gems, like small comedy theaters, shopping malls, and museums that'll leave you feeling like you've lived in Santa Monica your entire life. For your next trip to California's coast, we've put together a list of our top ten attractions in Santa Monica, just for you.
Disclaimer: These are purely suggestions and not sponsored in any way.
1. Santa Monica Pier
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: 24/7
The Santa Monica Pier is Santa Monica's most recognizable attraction. Walk out to the Pacific Ocean and enjoy the beautiful view of the beach and the horizon. You'll pass people on all sides of you, fun games and entertainment along the way. The experience is free, but you may have to pay if you decide to participate in any attractions. Although you may think a simple walk is boring, you'll be able to tell your friends you visited the Santa Monica Pier, so make sure you visit it on your next trip to California!
2. Pacific Park
Address: 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: Monday-Thursday | 11am - 11pm
Friday | 11am - 12am
Saturday | 10am - 12am
Sunday | 10am - 11pm
Pacific Park is the giant amusement park you always see prior to the Santa Monica Pier. It holds roller coasters, the world's only solar-powered ferris wheel, and many small gaming kiosks and food stops to give you endless fun for the day. The park itself has no admission fee, but since you'd have to pay for each ride, Pacific Park offers an all-day access wristband for $19-$35. If you and your family are theme park enthusiasts, then definitely make a stop at Pacific Park after your walk along Santa Monica Pier!
3. Santa Monica State Beach
Address: Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: 24/7
This 3.5 mile long stretch along the Pacific coast is the perfect spot for surfing, romantic walks on the beach, or people watching. Most people suggest that, should you use the beach for swimming, you swim further down from the pier, as the water quality near the pier isn't that great. Don't forget--the Pacific Ocean is normally pretty chilly, so dress for the cool weather! Obviously, as a public beach, the Santa Monica State Beach is free to access, so if you'd like to experience it, then visit it when you take a trip to Cali!
4. Westside Comedy Theater
Address: 1323-A 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: Everyday from 6pm - 12am
One of Santa Monica's best comedy clubs is Westside Comedy Theater. Not only do they provide you with a stage to do stand up and improv, but they also offer classes to teach you how to be a better comedian. Their ticket prices for their comedy shows vary greatly, so if you want more information, then feel free to check out their website. This is a cool hole-in-the-wall location you want to add to your list of things to check out in Santa Monica!
5. Palisades Park
Address: Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: Everyday from 6am - 11pm
Palisades Park is located above the bluffs of the Pacific Ocean, giving you breathtaking views. Observe the beautiful homes, palm trees, and local shops as you walk through this 26 acre park. It's best to go during the day in order to see the best views. Once again, this is completely free, so you can enjoy it for as long as you want. If you're an outdoor person or love to take walks, then definitely go to Palisades Park during your stay in California!
6. Third Street Promenade
Address: 1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: 24/7
Downtown Santa Monica is the ultimate shopping place, but Third Street Promenade is the specific street to go to (like Fifth Avenue in New York City). This greater, upscale location gives you an array of stores, restaurants, and entertainment centers that will enthrall you for hours. Although it costs nothing to walk around, you may want to make sure that you have enough money in your wallet to go on a serious shopping spree; once you get there, you won't be able to resist!
7. Santa Monica Place
Address: 395 Santa Monica Pl, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: Monday-Saturday | 10am - 9pm
Sunday | 11am - 8pm
Santa Monica Place is Third Street Promenade, except as an open-air mall. They have exactly what you would expect to find in a mall: a food court, a movie theater, and hundreds of different shops to entertain yourself with. Even though you can go to a mall in almost any state, Santa Monica Place is somewhere special and looks incredible on both the outside and inside. As someone that loves to shop, Santa Monica Place is the place to go!
8. Camera Obscura Art Lab
Address: 1450 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: Monday-Friday | 9am - 3pm
Saturday | 11am - 4pm
Sunday | Closed
The Santa Monica Camera Obscura Art Lab is one of the few remaining functional camera obscuras in the country. A camera obscura is basically a box that projects an image through a hole while reversing it in the process onto an opposite wall. That's not what the entire building is, however. The one in Santa Monica gives people of all ages a hands-on, interactive experience into the world of photography and art, so it's also a center of education. Each of their events ranges in price, so if you're interested, check our their website!
9. Museum of Flying
Address: 3100 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Hours: Monday/Tuesday | Closed
Wednesday-Sunday | 10am - 5pm
The Museum of Flying is a non-profit museum in Southern California that displays the history of aviation, specifically in that part of the country. They have an Aviation Hall of Fame, a screening room, a virtual tour, and a flight simulator that let you view the entirety of the Museum of Flying. While parking is free, admission fees for the museum range from $6-$10, which is relatively inexpensive for a museum as classic as this one. For any history or aviation buff, the Museum of Flying is the place to go when you next visit Santa Monica!
10. Route 66: End of the Trail
Address: 330 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: 24/7
This location marks the western end of Route 66, an iconic highway that spans across the Southwestern United States. There's not much to see except a sign, but if you know the rich history behind the highway, then it'll have more significance to you. If it doesn't particularly hold your interest, then you're right on the Santa Monica Pier, so you have plenty of other attractions to have fun with! You won't ever get bored in Santa Monica.
Bonus: You've Got Maids
Address: Suite 100, 2500 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Hours: Monday-Friday | 8am - 5pm
Saturday/Sunday | Closed
We may be biased, but we think Santa Monica's best attraction is our own You've Got Maids franchise. For residents in and near the city of Santa Monica, California, they can enjoy our spectacular maid service. If you happen to not live in Santa Monica, then check out our list of locations to see the closest YGM to you. Now that you're confident in our business, click the button below for your free cleaning estimate, and we'll be happy to get started with you today.