Downtown Santa Monica Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A lifeguard tower on a beach at sunset.
A busy pier with a Ferris wheel, a parking lot full of cars, and a beach in the background.
A busy urban street lined with palm trees and modern buildings, including a hotel and shops.
A pier extending into the ocean at sunset with people walking along it.
A pier with a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster at sunset.

Stay near popular Downtown Santa Monica attractions

A large Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and a kite in the sky at a theme park.

Santa Monica Beach

9.0/10 (10,272 reviews)
Located just west of downtown Los Angeles, this iconic southern California beach is a haven for swimmers, surfers, beachcombers and fitness enthusiasts.
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Activities

Los Angeles 3-Hour City Tour with 3 Stops

Los Angeles 3-Hour City Tour with 3 Stops

AU$73
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Los Angeles 3-Hour City Tour with 3 Stops
Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Open-Air Bus Tour

Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Open-Air Bus Tour

AU$56
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Open-Air Bus Tour
Los Angeles Chargers Football Game at SoFi Stadium

Los Angeles Chargers Football Game at SoFi Stadium

AU$315
per adult
Los Angeles Chargers Football Game at SoFi Stadium
Malibu: Exclusive Beautiful Beach and Celebrity Lifestyle Tour

Malibu Open-Air Tour from Santa Monica with Celebrity Homes

AU$45
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Malibu Open-Air Tour from Santa Monica with Celebrity Homes
Santa Monica: Malibu Celebrity Homes & Beaches Tour

Santa Monica: Malibu Celebrity Homes & Beaches Tour

AU$56
per adult
Santa Monica: Malibu Celebrity Homes & Beaches Tour
Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, with Beaches from Anaheim

Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, with Beaches from Anaheim

AU$127
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, with Beaches from Anaheim
See all activities in Los Angeles

Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Monica Hotel Deals

Loews Hollywood Hotel

Loews Hollywood Hotel

4 out of 5
1755 North Highland Avenue Los Angeles CA
The price is AU$403 per night from 10 Dec to 11 Dec
AU$403
10 Dec - 11 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,723 reviews)
"SUCH A GREAT HOTEL!!! loved my stay, felt right at home and very safe :) As a frequent solo traveler that is really important to me!"

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2026

Loews Hollywood Hotel
Holiday Inn Los Angeles - LAX Airport by IHG

Holiday Inn Los Angeles - LAX Airport by IHG

3 out of 5
9901 S La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles CA
The price is AU$210 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
AU$210
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.2/10 Very good! (5,103 reviews)
"The hotel was clean and comfortable. The only issue was the temperature of the water in the bathroom. Best we could get is kind of warm which made for a cooler shower than I wanted."

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2026

Holiday Inn Los Angeles - LAX Airport by IHG
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX

Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX

4 out of 5
5985 W Century Blvd Los Angeles CA
The price is AU$248 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
AU$248
11 Nov - 12 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX
Hilton Los Angeles Airport

Hilton Los Angeles Airport

4 out of 5
5711 W Century Blvd Los Angeles CA
The price is AU$217 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
AU$217
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy 5 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
Hilton Los Angeles Airport
Hilton Garden Inn LAX Los Angeles Airport

Hilton Garden Inn LAX Los Angeles Airport

3 out of 5
5249 W Century Blvd Los Angeles CA
The price is AU$223 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
AU$223
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in their ...
Hilton Garden Inn LAX Los Angeles Airport
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel

Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel

4 out of 5
6101 W Century Blvd Los Angeles CA
The price is AU$217 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
AU$217
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
See all 9,425 properties in Downtown Santa Monica
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in Downtown Santa Monica

Find the best Downtown Santa Monica areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A bustling Las Vegas street with illuminated signs, palm trees, and historic architecture.

Hollywood

Travellers love Hollywood for its popular shops, and you can see more of Los Angeles by jumping on the metro at Hollywood - Vine Station or Hollywood - Highland Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Sunset Strip and Hollywood Palladium.

A cityscape at dusk with illuminated skyscrapers and a sunset sky.

Downtown Los Angeles

Crypto.com Arena and L.A. Live are top sights in Downtown Los Angeles, and you should be sure to explore the great live music. Hop aboard the metro at Pershing Square Station or Little Tokyo/Arts District Station to see more sights in the area.

A row of tall, ornate street lamps with white globes, set against a backdrop of palm trees and a clear blue sky.

Mid City

While you're in Mid City, take in top sights like Koreatown Plaza and jump on the metro at Wilshire - Vermont Station to see more of the city.

A green sign with 'KOREATOWN' in white letters, a red lantern, and a traditional roof.

Koreatown

Travellers choose Koreatown for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Wilshire - Western Station or Wilshire - Normandie Station and check out top sights like Wiltern Theatre.

The Hollywood sign on a hill with a clear blue sky.
Photo by Paco Garzón
Open Photo by Paco Garzón

Hollywood Hills

You'll enjoy the mountain views and live music in Hollywood Hills. You might want to make time for a stop at Hollywood Bowl or Runyon Canyon Park.

Downtown Santa Monica Travel Guide

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