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Santa Monica travel guide

Santa monica tourism | santa monica guide, you're going to love santa monica.

Santa Monica is one of the most famous (and most popular) beach resorts in the world. Along with its endless beach, Santa Monica offers family entertainment options, a relaxed vibe, and easy access to Los Angeles.

There aren't many better places to immerse yourself in California's beach culture. Stake out a space on the sand and spend all of your time soaking up the sunshine, playing volleyball, or learning how to surf. Rent bikes and cycle along the Strand to Venice Beach, strap on some roller skates or wander the length of the Santa Monica Pier, trying all of the amusement park rides.

If the beach isn't for you, Santa Monica has plenty of art galleries, shops, and restaurants to discover, as well as live dance and theater all summer long. And it's all a short drive from Universal Studios, Disneyland, and the bright lights of LA.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Santa Monica

1. the beach.

Santa Monica is built around its 3.5 mile-long beach that is easily accessible via wooden pathways, is fully staffed with lifeguards (as you'd expect from the filming location of Baywatch), and is a place to swim, surf, skate, sunbathe, and generally relax.

2. Open Air Art, Theater, and Dance Events

Santa Monica is a thriving cultural destination as well as a beach resort. The Twilight Concert Series brings free music and dance events to the seafront in summer. There's also a dynamic art scene, with the Bergamot Station arts complex and venues for up-and coming-artists like the Daniel Rolnik Gallery to enjoy.

3. Family Attractions to Keep Everyone Entertained

Santa Monica is a wonderful place to visit with your family. Pacific Park at the Santa Monica pier has a famous Ferris Wheel, a quirky Trapeze School, nightly live music, and an authentic 1920s carousel.

4. It's Easy to Explore the Coast Around Santa Monica

The "Strand" is a bike path that links together LA's coastal resorts, from Santa Monica in the north to Torrance County Beach in the south. You can easily rent bikes from the Santa Monica Bike Center, and head to famous spots like Venice Beach (just a few miles to the south).

5. You Can Get to Los Angeles Easily

Another great thing about Santa Monica is its proximity to Los Angeles. You can reach LA by the number 720 bus, the Big Blue Bus Express, or cruise into town via I-10 and be in Hollywood in under half an hour.

What to do in Santa Monica

1. santa monica pier: palm trees, and the pacific.

The Santa Monica State Beach is where the social life of Los Angeles shows its colors - from ocean blue to deep tan. Land to sea, the comings and goings make for a people-watching paradise under the sun. The iconic Santa Monica Ferris Wheel towers over the scene at the old-school pier down the way, a funfair for everyone to enjoy. An aquarium offers indoor exploration for rainy days, while Palisades Park provides oceanside glory away from the hot sand for a bit of variety.

2. Third Street Promenade: Foot Traffic Galore

Downtown Santa Monica revolves around this lively promenade, one of the unique stretches of LA where pedestrians rather than cars run the show. It is a shopper's paradise beneath tropical trees, with every popular brand imaginable boasting the best California trends. Every time you walk Third Street, you're bound to see an impromptu street performance, run into an evening event, or do a double take at the wonderful characters sharing the pavement.

3. Venice Beach: Eccentric and Cool

This popular area lives up to its citywide reputation, with laid-back boutique stores and some of the quirkiest restaurants in town. There is a surprise around every corner - and around every canal! These human-made waterways give the area its name, and they provide for scenic strolls on the way to the beach. A bike path stretches through the sand, connecting Venice to Santa Monica. Don't miss the boardwalk either!

4. Getty Center: The Gem of SoCal

Overlooking LA is the world renowned Getty Center, a beautiful complex for art, research and conservation. The buildings and gardens themselves are a sight to behold, with elegant architecture, water elements and landscaping. Inside the museum, there is even more to see - most notably "The Royal End" by Paul Gauguin and "Irises" by Vincent Van Gogh.

5. Griffith Observatory: Spot the Sign

One of the largest urban parks in America, Griffith Park is home to the LA Zoo and the Griffith Observatory. With epic views of the Hollywood sign from atop the hill of the same name, this observatory has welcomed millions of visitors. Also offering science exhibitions and unique planetarium shows, a stop in Griffith Park is both varied and fun.

6. Hollywood: The One and Only

Hollywood is hard to miss, what with its name plastered famously across the hillside, and missed it should be not. Hollywood Boulevard is one of the most well-known streets in the world, home to the Walk of Fame. Huge Hollywood theaters host high profile movie premieres along this stretch, and the history of movie making is referenced at every turn. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrity sightings!

7. Universal Studios Hollywood: Movie-making Madness

The greatest behind-the-scenes-look-at-Hollywood is found at Universal Studios, a theme park dedicated to movie-making magic. Besides boasting awesome thrill rides and over the top parades, the park offers views into the actual back-lots where sets are built. The Studio Tour puts visitors right in the middle of recreated movie sets from famous films like King Kong and Jaws.

8. Beverly Hills: The 90210

Beverly Hills is a neighborhood whose reputation precedes itself. Rodeo Drive is its famous thoroughfare, known for upscale shopping and celebrity sightings. The nearby Beverly Gardens Park offers gorgeous rose gardens and recreation. For dedicated fans, the more residential streets of Beverly Hills are host to self-guided celebrity residence tours.

Where to Eat in Santa Monica

Food lovers will find everything they need in Santa Monica, but its a particularly good place for healthy eaters, vegans, and organic food fans. The True Food Kitchen is a great place to find vegetarian, eco-friendly gourmet dishes, the Misfit Restaurant mixes traditional American eats with craft ales and cocktails, and Tacos Punta Cabras is a fantastic no-frills Mexican restaurant. Mariasol is another special place to eat, being right at the tip of the pier. Expect to pay $7-10 for a street food like tacos and $15-20 for mains at most restaurants.

When to visit Santa Monica

Santa Monica has the kind of climate that makes it a year-round vacation destination, but there are definitely some busier seasons that you might want to avoid. High summer (July and August) are the busiest months, so try visiting in October or between February and May. Even in spring, the weather will be sunny and warm enough to enjoy the beach.

How to Get to Santa Monica

Some charter airlines fly into Santa Monica Airport, but most visitors will probably use Los Angeles International (LAX) to get to Santa Monica. If you fly into the city's own airport, you can either use airport shuttles or rent a car to reach your accommodation. From LAX, the best option is to take the Big Blue Bus ($2.50) or LAX FlyAway bus ($8). You could also take a taxi, which costs between $30 and $35. The distance between LAX and Santa Monica is about 12 miles.

Santa Monica doesn't have a train station, but it's not far from LA's Union Station, which has excellent rail connections to San Diego, San Francisco, and cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Phoenix. The Big Blue Bus Route 10 runs from Union Station to downtown Santa Monica.

Most drivers approach Santa Monica via I-10, which runs across the southern USA, linking the city with Florida. If you are coming from northern California, I-5 is the road to take (or Route 101 if you fancy taking the coastal route). I-5 also links Santa Monica with San Diego to the south.

If you want to take a bus to Santa Monica from cities outside LA, the best option is to take a Greyhound to downtown LA, then switch to a city bus to Santa Monica. Take buses 720 or 704 or the Big Blue Bus number 10 from the bus station straight to the Santa Monica seafront.

Airports near Santa Monica

Airlines serving santa monica, where to stay in santa monica.

Downtown Santa Monica - the most energetic part of the city, Downtown is dominated by 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica's shopping hub. The Promenade is home to an endless variety of stores, along with street performers, galleries, and restaurants, all just a few hundred yards from the beach.

Popular Neighborhoods in Santa Monica

Main Street - Main Street is where Santa Monica's (many) artists and musicians hang out. If you want to check out imaginative modern art, small galleries like Mindfulnest and the Edgemar Center for the Arts make this part of town the ideal place to visit.

Pico Boulevard - Santa Monica's most diverse neighborhood, Pico is a great place to chill out and grab a bite to eat. Don't miss the Apple Pan, which serves up burgers and apple pie, and McCabe's Guitar Shop, a regular venue for folk concerts as well as a superb music emporium.

Where to stay in popular areas of Santa Monica

Most booked hotels in santa monica, how to get around santa monica, public transportation.

Local buses are a good way to travel around the beach, downtown, and the pier and are provided by the Big Blue Bus Company. Basic fares are just $1.25, but express buses to the airport or central LA cost $2.50, so have enough change on hand to pay the driver.

Cabs in Santa Monica charge around $2.85 for the meter drop, followed by $2.70 per mile, so it's not a cheap city to get around by taxi. Uber is active in the city and charge a $1.65 booking fee, then $0.90 per mile, so could offer some savings.

Los Angeles is built around the needs of motorists, so having your own car makes sense if you want to explore the Metropolitan Area. Local outlets include Sixt, Avis, and Enterprise and rates can be as low as $20 a day, so it's a cost-effective option.

Car hire agencies in Santa Monica

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

The Cost of Living in Santa Monica

Shopping streets.

3rd Street Promenade draws shoppers from all over southern California, with major stores like Aldo, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Old Navy (as well as many independent vendors). But you should also check out Main Street and Pico for independent skate stores, bookshops, and galleries. Santa Monica Place is another must, with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Bloomingdale's.

Groceries and Other

Good places to pick up groceries in Santa Monica include Vons, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods along with locally owned delis like Erewhon Market. There's also a farmers market on Main Street on Wednesdays and weekends. Groceries aren't too expensive, at around $3.60 for a gallon of milk and $3.40 for 12 eggs.

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The 16 best things to do in Santa Monica

Find the best attractions in the beachfront city beyond just the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade

Surrounded by mountains on one side and the  beach  on another, the urban sprawl of Los Angeles seems to melt away as soon as you hit Santa Monica. This beachside city has a charm all of its own and is the essence of that classic postcard picture of Southern California—yes, including a bit of an upscale air in spots and plenty of traffic. But we’re not here to complain about the 10 or PCH. Instead, we’re here to help you fill your free time—ideally that coveted, less-trafficked window between morning  rush hour  and  happy hour  or after sunset—with the very best things to in Santa Monica, including its most essential attractions.

RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the  best of Santa Monica .

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here .

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The best things to do in Santa Monica

1.  Palisades Park

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For stunning views of the ocean and Santa Monica Mountains, this bluff-top park along Santa Monica’s northern coast is the spot. It’s the classic image of L.A.’s coastline that lives in most people’s heads. You’ll find thicker crowds of tourists in the section by the Santa Monica Pier, so instead keep toward the northern Pacific Palisades-adjacent end, past the stately concrete sculpture at Wilshire and the colorful totem pole at San Vicente.

Go on a Santa Monica and Venice Beach bicycle ride.

2.  Santa Monica Farmers’ Market

• Markets and fairs

When you’re next sat in a local restaurant and feel tempted to ask the server where the incredibly fresh vegetables on your plate came from, don’t bother. We can save you the trouble and answer that for you: the Santa Monica’s Farmers’ Market, of course. The market takes place on Saturdays and Sundays in other parts of Santa Monica, but the best day to pay a visit is Wednesday (8am–1pm) when it fills Arizona Avenue. Find the rest of L.A.’s best farmers’ markets .

3.  Santa Monica State Beach

• Downtown Santa Monica

Running the length of Santa Monica itself, this huge beach is usually packed with people, but has a festive, summer-holiday feel to it. The main attraction is the world-famous Pier, and the biggest crowds can be found clustered around it. If you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, stray as far from the pier as you can in either direction and you can find some quieter patches. There are bathrooms, bike paths and paid parking positioned along almost the entire stretch of sand. Looking for more of L.A.’s best beaches ?

Rent a bike and cruise Santa Monica.

4.  Santa Monica Pier

• Historic buildings and sites

The center and focal point of Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Pier is home to a whole host of different attractions. Pacific Park is a traditional fair with a roller coaster and Ferris wheel, plus plenty of fairground games, an aquarium and a classic carousel housed in the historic Looff Hippodrome. There are also regular outdoor music and film events hosted at the Pier, bringing a different, hipper crowd to the boardwalk.

See the Santa Monica Pier on a guided bike tour.

5.  Aero Theatre

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The Aero Theatre has been in operation since the 1940s, a history and legacy it flaunts with screenings of classic films and contemporary independent cinema. This Art Deco landmark also hosts special feature programs plus director lectures and appearances. The Aero is operated by American Cinematheque, who also programs the Los Feliz Theatre and the famous  Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood —another venue film buffs should take the time to visit.

Catch a film at some of our other favorite movie theaters .

6.  The Original Muscle Beach

Not to be confused with its showier Venice sibling , this workout playground for grown-ups has given Santa Monica’s biggest and burliest somewhere to sweat and strut their stuff for a century. On weekends, you’ll see some amazing gymnasts tackle the parallel bars, uneven bars and rings swings. Even with all that machismo, the vibe here stays friendly and no one will mind if you choose to get involved, or just sit and take it all in.

Stop by Muscle Beach on a bike tour.

7.  McCabe’s

• Music venues
• price 2 of 4

A revered guitar shop by day, stocked to the ceilings with rare and obscure guitars and other instruments, McCabe’s also has a cozy back room where performances are held in an intimate environment. Gigs are usually held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but it’s a worth a visit just to gawp at the dozens of beautiful guitars hanging from the walls.

8.  Santa Monica Stairs

Does your idea of a good time involve some serious aerobics and muscle burn? Well, get yourself over to these twin Santa Monica stairs that are a mecca for hard bodies and weekend fitness warriors. You can choose to ascend via either 199 concrete steps or 170 (wider) wooden steps. If it’s all a bit too corwded, jog over to Mesa Road and less well known La Mesa stairs. Blink and you’ll miss the narrow entryway wedged between 404 and 410.

Feel the burn at these other free L.A. workouts .

9.  Third Street Promenade

• Shopping centers

A four-block pedestrianized stretch that runs down Third Street from Wilshire Boulevard to Colorado Avenue, Third Street Promenade is a pleasant but commonplace parade of mostly familiar names. Though the open-air plaza isn’t quite as buzzing as it once was, there are still some out-of-the-ordinary stops here: The excellent Wednesday morning farmers’ market  adjacent to it is worth a trip, as is an outpost of Silverlake Ramen . Consider grabbing a happy hour drink just around the corner at the Misfit .

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10.  Tongva Park

What was once just another concrete parking lot has been transformed into a oceanside oasis of green space at Santa Monica’s Tongva Park. This well-designed verdant space includes a playground, waterfalls, walking paths, meadows and a pair of conch-like, wireframe lookouts to the Pacific. Sneak over to Chez Jay at the corner of the park for a drink.

Relax in more of the best parks in L.A.

11.  Bergamot Station

Home to a slew of different contemporary and fine art galleries, this artsy enclave is the perfect destination for cheap dates and lazy days. If the art doesn’t do anything for you, the edgy architecture, stylish café (housed in an old heater factory that serves meatloaf and mint lemonade) and fragrant stands of wild bergamot scattered about should amp up the atmosphere. And though some of the galleries have shuttered in recent years, you’ll find fresh activity thanks to standout restaurant Birdie G’s .

12.  Santa Monica Place

• price 3 of 4

Located at the southern end of the Third Street Promenade, this revamped shopping center is packed with upscale department stores and designer boutiques from brands like Coach and Louis Vuitton. There’s nothing particularly notable about Santa Monica Place (though it is getting a Din Tai Fung ), but it’s a pleasant destination for some retail to-dos thanks to three floors of sophisticated shopping set around an open-air courtyard.

13.  Annenberg Community Beach House

Pool closed Oct–May, grounds open daily.

This modern community beach club was originally built by William Randolph Hearst in the 1920s as an opulent beachfront estate for Hollywood star Marion Davies. These days, it’s very much open to the public. The five-acre beach house includes a recreation room for games as well as a swimming pool, sports facilities, a cafe and paddle board rentals. You can also take a sunset swim on select evenings during the summer.

Splash around in some other public pools throughout L.A.

14.  California Heritage Museum

• price 1 of 4

Step out of the sun and take in a bit of California history in a restored 1894 house. Though the house itself—devoted to the Victorian period—is worth a look, rotating exhibitions on topics related to the region are the real draw. The museum is at its busiest on Sundays, though only outside: It hosts the Santa Monica farmers’ market every Sunday morning.

15.  Santa Monica Airport

It’s the oldest operating airfield in L.A. County (though slated to be closed and turned into a park by the end of the decade) and the birthplace of the Douglas DC-3. Originally called Clover Field, the Santa Monica Airport has developed over time into an arts incubator and is home to a number of creative venues housed in converted airplane hangars like the Ruskin Group Theatre Co. and events space the Barker Hangar.

Have an hour to kill near the 10 or the 405? Watch planes land up-close at Santa Monica Airport.

16.  Museum of Flying

This small museum dedicated to the history of aviation moved into new premises at the Santa Monica Airport in February 2012. Inside you can learn all about the history of Southern Californian aviation companies including, Boeing, Lockheed, North American and Northrop with numerous exhibits and displays bringing the planes and their stories to life. Flight fans will love the carefully preserved static and flyable aircraft that call this place home.

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10 of the top things to do in Santa Monica: experience the best of this chic beach city

May 12, 2022 • 6 min read

Here are the best things to do in Santa Monica © Tod Seelie / Getty Images

With its three miles of sandy beach, dotted with palm trees on one side and lush mountains on another, the tiny city of Santa Monica – only 16 miles sq – is a quaint and chic beach town. The instantly recognizable pier marks the end of Route 66 , and the spill-over from edgy Venice Beach to the south makes for a heady concoction of tourists, beach bums, and exhibitionists. 

On any given day you could see tattooed scalps, monstrous muscles and retirees working on their career tans, amongst the omnipresent smell of weed. But despite pockets of eccentricity, Santa Monica is a smart and chic Los Angeles-adjacent beach town. It's here you'll find plenty of things to do, with trendy cafes for people watching, upscale boutiques for designer shopping, and some of the most expensive real estate in Los Angeles County. These are the top experiences in Santa Monica.

Head to McCabe's Guitar Shop for a night of live music

Hidden in the back of a musical instrument shop, this live venue rose to fame in the 1960s during the folk and blues revival. By day, McCabe’s sells obscure instruments. By night, it turns into a intimate booze-free venue for 150 music aficionados. Legendary artists, from Joni Mitchell and John Lee Hooker to PJ Harvey, the Pixies, Tom Petty, and Elvis Costello, to name but a few, have performed unplugged sets here and modern greats continue to stop by.

Learn to trapeze on Santa Monica Pier

The historic pier is to Santa Monica what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris – overrun with tourists but no visit is complete without experiencing it. Built in 1909, the pier marks the last stop on Route 66. Incredibly, the 130ft high Pacific Wheel is the only one of its kind on a California pier. It's also the only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world – take a spin for panoramic views of the city. Then, ride a rollercoaster, play carnival games, and get launched into the sky by an aerialist at an aerial workshop with the resident trapeze school TSNY .

Descend the steep Santa Monica Stairs

This not-so-secret pathway, in between multi-million-dollar houses on Adelaide Drive, plummets through the trees and lush mountains of Santa Monica Canyon via 170 steel and wooden stairs. Originally built in the 1920s, so local kids had a quicker route to school, the steps now attract fitness junkies, who come here to experience the sharp 110ft elevation change and climb the calf-pounding stairway to heart-rate heaven. Much to the dismay of the wealthy local residents, it has become a wildly popular challenge – around 1500 people workout on the narrow steel and wooden stairs every weekend.

Watch a cult movie at a vintage theater

The Aero has been showing movies since the 1940s on its single screen. Originally built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, the name being a nod to the aerospace industry, it still has many original art deco features – including the striking neon sign and single seat ticket office in the entrance hall. The movie house has featured in many films itself, including Donnie Darko (2001), Sleepwalkers  (1992), and Get Shorty  (1995). One of its biggest nights of the year is the annual Dusk-to-Dawn Horrorthon, which takes place around Halloween and screens back-to-back scary movies on 35mm film.

Stop for a work-out show on the real muscle beach

Although the one in Venice gets more attention, the original "muscle beach" – an outdoor gym with ropes, rings, and bars – actually opened in Santa Monica in 1934. Venice's version was named the "Weight Pen" before it adopted its "Muscle Beach Venice" moniker. Due to the busy public setting on Santa Monica Beach , with pier and ocean in the background, it's become more of a theater than a gym, with thousands of spectators stopping by each day to take pictures, as obliging resident beefcakes and gymnasts pose in between workouts. 

Take a dip at the Annenberg Community Beach House

Originally a grandiose 1920s five-acre beach house built for legendary silent-era film actress Marion Davies, the Annenberg Community Beach House is now a pool and recreation center with beach views and all kinds of classes the public can sign up for. Beach volleyball, soccer and tennis, in addition, to stand-up paddle boarding and surf lessons, are all available. And, of course, don't miss taking a dip in the elaborately tiled swimming pool where Davies swam with the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and Cary Grant. The adult sunset swims are a particular highlight. 

Eat at Santa Monica's best retro restaurants

Near the end of America's most famous drive is Mel's Drive-In – a suitably retro burger joint housed in a Googie-style building designed by prolific "modern" architects Armet and Davis. Inside is a step back in time – high chairs line the counter, patrons sip milkshakes at '60s-style leather booths and a jukebox plays timeless rock ‘n’ roll tunes. Meanwhile, two blocks from the beach, and kitsch in equal measure, is The Galley – believed to be the oldest restaurant in Santa Monica and one of the first in the state. Dressed with nautical junk, red fairy lights and props from the 1962 movie Mutiny on the Bounty , this was once a hangout spot for 1930s movie stars Carole Lombard, Charles Laughton, Errol Flynn, and Edward G Robinson. The seafood and steak are surprisingly good for such a kitschy spot.

People watch on Third Street Promenade

The tree-lined Third Street Promenade is a rare thing in Southern California – a half-mile-long pedestrian-only road. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and stores to crawl, but the best way to soak up the atmosphere is to grab a table outside and catch one of the many live street performers, ranging from musicians and comedians to breakdancers and magicians.

Browse one man's life-long curios collection

Part museum, part curiosity shop, part prop rental company, jAdis houses one man's collection of "touches of mankind’s genius". Its doors open at certain times each week, so inquisitive folks can peruse flipbooks and plasma lights, vintage 1930s bathing suits and peculiar scientific instruments or whimsical steampunk contraptions. It also holds a replica of the robot from Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis . 

Visit the Santa Monica Farmers Market

To meet the locals, head to one of the three weekly Santa Monica Farmers Markets , each attracting between 3000 and 10,000 visitors. Local producers and crafters tout their organic fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, and seafood catches here. There's usually free live music to enjoy as you tuck into your bounty. Markets take place on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.

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Santa Monica Travel & Tourism

• Locally Owned

Contact Us:

• (310) 319-6263
• [email protected]
• http://www.santamonica.com

15th Annual Tourism Summit

Santa Monica Travel and Tourism is pleased to invite you to the 15th Annual Tourism Summit! Secure your seat to enjoy compelling speakers, an awards ceremony and a delicious lunch while learning about what’s ahead for California and Santa Monica’s tourism industry and economy. Space is limited.

Event Details

Thursday, May 2, 2024 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (lunch will be served)

Hotel Casa del Mar 1910 Ocean Way Santa Monica, CA 90405

Program Highlights

• Keynote speaker Caroline Beteta, President & CEO of Visit California.
• Travel forecasts & economic updates.
• International market panel featuring SMTT representatives from Australia/New Zealand, Canada, France, Germany and United Kingdom/Ireland.
• A delectable lunch at the beautiful Hotel Casa del Mar just steps away from the beach.

From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Take the I-405 N freeway towards Santa Monica Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica Take exit 1A towards 4 th Street/5 th Street Turn left onto 4 th Street Turn left onto Pico Boulevard Turn left onto Ocean Way and the hotel will be on your right

From North of Santa Monica Take the US-101 S freeway Take I-405 S towards Santa Monica Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica Take exit 1A towards 4 th Street/5 th Street Turn left onto 4 th Street Turn left onto Pico Boulevard Turn left onto Ocean Way and the hotel will be on your right

From South of Santa Monica Take the I-405 N freeway towards Santa Monica Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica Take exit 1A towards 4 th Street/5 th Street Turn left onto 4 th Street Turn left onto Pico Boulevard Turn left onto Ocean Way and the hotel will be on your right

From East of Santa Monica Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica Take exit 1A towards 4 th Street/5 th Street Turn left onto 4 th Street Turn left onto Pico Boulevard Turn left onto Ocean Way and the hotel will be on your right

Keynote Speaker

Caroline beteta, visit california.

Caroline Beteta serves as President & CEO of the industry-led Visit California, a nonprofit organization created to market California as a premier travel destination to increase the state’s share of tourism-related revenues. She simultaneously serves as a strategic advisor for the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz). Beteta is responsible for implementing Visit California’s global marketing program on behalf of the organization’s 21,000 investors and serves as the lead spokesperson for California’s travel industry. In her tenure, she has overseen a decade of growth for California’s travel industry, peaking in 2019 with a record $144.9 billion in economic benefit to the state. She has shepherded the growth of Visit California into a global marketing franchise and helped restore travel and tourism following numerous natural and economic crises.

Caroline has received numerous awards for her creative work and leadership in the travel industry, including induction into the U.S. Travel Association’s Hall of Leaders.

Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree in Public Administration/Intergovernmental Affairs from the University of Southern California. She also completed the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Marketing Management Program.

Contact  [email protected]  for sponsorship opportunities to promote your business and any questions.

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• Hollywood Glamor at the First Key Hotels in Los Angeles

A brief guide to all the Key hotels in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills.

Hotels Travel California MICHELIN Keys Los Angeles

On April 24, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide announced its very first Key hotels in the United States — a brand new distinction recognizing the most outstanding hotels in the country. Out of 124 hotels that received at least one Key in the United States, nearly fifty percent make their home in the Golden State. Of those, you’ll find almost half in the Los Angeles area. Below, a quick guide to all our hotels in L.A. and just beyond.

• Downtown and Hollywood
• Beverly Hills, Silver Lake, Bel-Air
• Santa Monica

The Hip and Historic: Downtown and Hollywood

Let's start in Downtown L.A. ( Soho Warehouse DTLA , Downtown L.A. Proper ) and Hollywood ( the Aster , the Prospect ): four Key hotels with some of the coolest, best-executed public spaces of any city in the States. Expect: rooftop lounges, pools, gardens, restaurants, bars, and inviting, Bohemian design by stars like Kelly Wearstler.

Then, a cluster in West Hollywood, where hotel buildings intertwine with the stories of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Chaplin, and — at the Chateau Marmont , in particular — everyone from Hunter S. Thompson to Anthony Kiedis. For locations nearest the famous West Hollywood nightlife on the Sunset Strip, check out the Chamberlain West Hollywood , Soho House Holloway , Sunset Tower Hotel , and Pendry West Hollywood . Still, these hotels provide so much style and activity within their own walls that outside nightlife is almost besides the point.

Soho Warehouse DTLA — One Key

Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel — One Key

The Aster — One Key

The Prospect Hollywood — One Key

Chateau Marmont — Two Keys

Sunset Tower Hotel — One Key

Pendry West Hollywood — Two Keys

Soho House Holloway — One Key

Chamberlain West Hollywood — One Key

The Charlie — One Key

Hotel 850 SVB — One Key

Palihouse West Hollywood — One Key

Neighborhood opulence: beverly hills, silver lake, bel-air.

Start in Beverly Hills, this historically upscale suburb of Los Angeles, where a group of four hotels are designed with great opulence for great discretion. At the L'Ermitage hotel bar, decor includes framed pages from the Godfather and the Graduate, just a couple screenplays said to have been written in the building, and which may give you an ideal of the clientele in the best Beverly Hills hotels. The Maybourne , the Peninsula , and the Beverly Hills Hotel (also known as the “Pink Palace”) have their own illustrious references to Hollywood royalty, and the same spare-no-expense ethos. Over in Silver Lake and Bel-Air, the Paramount Estate and Hotel Bel-Air are completely singular experiences, both with several acres to work with and histories that date back to old Hollywood.

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills — Two Keys

The Maybourne — 2 Keys

The Peninsula Beverly Hills — 2 Keys

The Beverly Hills Hotel - Three Keys

The Paramour Estate — One Key

Hotel Bel-Air — Three Keys

The beach life of santa monica.

We're often surprised how difficult it is to find a hotel in the Los Angeles area set right on the beach. In Santa Monica, you have two: Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach . But you’re never far from that iconic ferris wheel at the Santa Monica pier. The lush gardens of Fairmont Miramar and the historic facade of the brand new Georgian Hotel are just steps from the sand. Worth noting, too, is the Santa Monica Proper — with its beloved, eclectic design by Kelly Wearstler. A short walk from the waves, its rooftop pool deck is, to our knowledge, the only one in a Santa Monica hotel.

Shutters on the Beach — One Key

Casa Del Mar — One Key

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows — One Key

The Georgian — One Key

Santa Monica Proper — One Key

Top image: Paramour Estate

In Photos: Every Three Key Hotel in New York City

The ins and outs of the most outstanding hotels in the city.

A Brief Guide to All the Key Hotels in Washington D.C.

Seven hotels earned at least one MICHELIN Key in Washington D.C.

Inside the Top Suite of the Only Three Key Hotel in Big Sur

The so-called "Cliff House" has the views you're looking for.

The Guilty Pleasures of the Chicago Athletic Association

The One Key Chicago Athletic Association has had an illustrious and sometimes sordid history that dates back to 1893, when it wasn’t quite a hotel. A lot has changed since then, but the ghosts of the past are never far away.

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Katherine Lo’s Eaton DC isn’t just one of the best hotels in the United States capital. It’s also a headquarters for activism, community, social justice, and sustainability. And it’s not shy about it.

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A brief guide to all the MICHELIN Key hotels in Chicago.

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The so-called 'Piano Suite' is an exclusive oasis atop a completely singular Parisian manor.

Hotel Deals You'll Only Find Here

13 hotel discounts only available when you book with The MICHELIN Guide. Sale ends 5th February

MICHELIN Guide

Use the app to find the best restaurants and hotels everywhere

Be the first to get news and update about the MICHELIN Guide

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