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 crowded beach with people swimming and sunbathing, a lifeguard tower, and mountains in the background.

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

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

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

NZ$152
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, with Beaches from Anaheim
Los Angeles Luxury Boat Cruise Wine, Charcuterie Sealions

Los Angeles Luxury Boat Cruise Wine, Charcuterie Sealions

NZ$189
per adult
Los Angeles Luxury Boat Cruise Wine, Charcuterie Sealions
ae2917ea56584e7da7978b2a97acb30c

City Cruises Marina del Rey: Premier Dinner Cruise

NZ$209
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
City Cruises Marina del Rey: Premier Dinner Cruise
Marina Del Rey Luxury Yacht Experience

Marina Del Rey Luxury Yacht Experience

NZ$171
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Marina Del Rey Luxury Yacht Experience
Half Day Sightseeing Tour of the Best of Los Angeles from Santa Monica

Half Day Sightseeing Tour of the Best of Los Angeles from Santa Monica

NZ$120
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Half Day Sightseeing Tour of the Best of Los Angeles from Santa Monica
Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Open-Air Bus Tour

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

NZ$67
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Open-Air Bus Tour
See all activities in Los Angeles

Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Monica Hotel Deals

Hilton Los Angeles Airport

Hilton Los Angeles Airport

4 out of 5
5711 W Century Blvd Los Angeles CA
The price is NZ$217 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
NZ$217
23 Aug - 24 Aug
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 ...
8.4/10 Very good! (5,869 reviews)
"Very good location"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2026

Hilton Los Angeles Airport
Hotel Burbank

Hotel Burbank

3 out of 5
150 E Angeleno Ave Burbank CA
The price is NZ$297 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
NZ$297
26 Aug - 27 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Burbank. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6,208 reviews)
"Good place to stay ❤️ Good location for universal and other places. Me and my family enjoyed staying here. Beds are comfortable easy check in and check out."

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2026

Hotel Burbank
Loews Hollywood Hotel

Loews Hollywood Hotel

4 out of 5
1755 North Highland Avenue Los Angeles CA
The price is NZ$475 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$475
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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! (5,442 reviews)
"Nice clean room, helpful staff, shops within walking distance. Great option if your going to The Hollywood Bowl"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2026

Loews Hollywood Hotel
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles

4 out of 5
404 S Figueroa St Los Angeles CA
The price is NZ$377 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
NZ$377
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles
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 NZ$247 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$247
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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 ...
Holiday Inn Los Angeles - LAX Airport by IHG
E-Central Downtown Los Angeles Hotel

E-Central Downtown Los Angeles Hotel

4 out of 5
1020 S Figueroa Street Los Angeles CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$320 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
NZ$320
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this boutique hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,861 reviews)
"Was good stay"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2026

E-Central Downtown Los Angeles Hotel
See all 9,443 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 city skyline with tall buildings and palm trees.

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 white church with a bell tower and arched windows.
Photo by Zhou You
Open Photo by Zhou You

Westchester

You might enjoy the shopping while in Westchester. HHLA is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Westchester/Veterans Station or LAX/Metro Transit Center to see more of the city.

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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