The urban sprawl of Los Angeles seems to fade away as soon as you reach Santa Monica, which is surrounded on one side by mountains and on the other by the beach. No matter when you arrive, Santa Monica’s stunning 26-mile coastline and bright year-round weather entice even the most ferocious indoor cat to venture outside. The beachside California community, just 15 miles from Los Angeles, is filled with open-air shopping and restaurants. It has farmers’ markets, more than 100 miles of bike lanes, 20 parks, and a stretch of break that attracts surfers of all levels. 
Because of its abundance of exciting, innovative, and quirky sites, Santa Monica is a magnet for both Angelenos and international visitors. Santa Monica is also a must-see for foodies, as it is home to many of the top restaurants in the Los Angeles area. Here are some ideas for how to spend a day in beautiful Santa Monica.
Begin Your Journey At The Santa Monica Pier.
The Santa Monica Pier is a must-see for first-time visitors. Yes, it’s touristy, besides, it’s also one of Southern California’s most popular destinations. It’s also a vibrant and consequently colourful area with stunning ocean views. 
It’s simple to get to the pier: simply drive down Santa Monica Boulevard till it stops. Because the majority of parking is in lots for the surrounding beaches, be prepared to walk a little. If you happen to find a spot on the street, make careful to fill the metre and return before it runs out – citations in this city are expensive.
Take A Stroll Down The Third Street Promenade.
Third Street Promenade, just east of the pier, is a three-block pedestrian zone dotted with hundreds of stores and restaurants. The true draw here, though, are the street performers and these aren’t your typical guitarists and drummers. They’re high-octane acrobatic acts that include song and dance and draw enormous crowds. 
Some of the performances are quite long, and you could easily spend an hour or two admiring the acts on a weekend. Consider tipping at the end of a performance if you enjoyed it.
Go To The Beach.
Santa Monica has 3.5 miles of beachfront, making it a great destination to visit if you want to soak up some rays. Santa Monica State Beach and Will Rogers State Beach are the two closest beaches. Swimming, surfing, paddleboarding, and volleyball are all available at both locations. Nearby parking lots are available for public use. If you want to get a spot in the summer, arrive early. 
There are relatively few poor days to go to the beach in Santa Monica, which has 300 days of sunshine every year. Summer is perhaps the best season to visit if you want to work on your tan, but a walk or run down the beach will be delightful even in the winter.
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Bike Ride Along The Beach
Biking along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail is a terrific opportunity to view various Southern California beach towns, including Santa Monica. The Strand is the name given to the part of the trail that runs through Santa Monica. This 22-mile paved path runs from Will Rogers State Beach in the north to Torrance State Beach in the south. 
You’ll have lots of options to stop for a lunch or a snack because the path passes through numerous major coastal towns. If you’re a guest and require a bicycle, you can hire one. Bike rentals are available for men, women, and children at Santa Monica Bike Rentals. It also sells bike trailers and child seats for small children.
Check Out The Farnam House
Aziz and Louise Farnam have been using mosaic tiles to decorate every square inch of their home for the past 13 years. Besides, The Farnam House is one of the most colourful residences in the United States. Fish, a green macaw, a unicorn, and Shamu, the renowned orca from SeaWorld, will all be visible if you look closely. 
The house has been a source of contention at times, but most people have come to appreciate the time and effort it took to gather the materials and apply them to the walls, walkways, and even the front door. Visitors are welcome to take photographs, but please keep in mind that this is a residential area.
Learn To Surf Or Paddleboard
If you’ve always wanted to experience what it’s like to ride the waves, now is the time to start learning to surf. Santa Monica has long been a popular surf destination. The Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica State Beach, and Bay Street are the three most popular surfing spots. 
Wavehuggers offers 2-hour sessions with all equipment for adults and children. Small-group classes are available at Santa Monica Surf School, which include a GoPro movie as a gift. Paddleboarding is a more relaxed and calmer alternative to surfing. Paddleboard rentals and lessons are available at Learn To Surf LA.
Eating In Santa Monica
You’ll have to move to Santa Monica to properly appreciate the eating scene. Even locals find it difficult to keep up with all of the new restaurant openings advertised in foodie magazines. However, there are a few timeless classics to consider for the perfect day. Cassia serves Southeast Asian food in a historic art deco building. This restaurant has received excellent reviews from food critics all around the country. Chickpea curry, beef rendang, and kaya toast are all dishes I recommend. 
Birdie G’s is a great place to go for comfort cuisine, with meals like noodle kugel and spicy Italian ravioli. Food critics and diners alike laud this establishment. Sit outside on the terrace during the warmer months. Try Huckleberry, a popular bakery and cafe, for something quick and casual. The fried egg sandwich and chilaquiles are excellent savoury entrees but don’t leave without trying one of the legendary cinnamon buns. 
If you’re having trouble deciding what to eat, SocialEats is the place to go. This location bills itself as a “platform for food discovery.” You’ll find everything here, from fried chicken to Spanish tapas to Japanese bento boxes.
In Santa Monica, you can also go shopping.
Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place are two excellent shopping areas in Santa Monica. Santa Monica Place, a big retail mall with department stores such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, is where the promenade finishes. There are also other smaller shops, such as Lorna Jane, Tory Burch, and Free People. And don’t miss the Santa Monica Farmers Markets if you’re in town on Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday. These are largely regarded as Southern California’s best farmers markets, and they’re where many of the region’s chefs shop. Consider buying local honey, nuts, or bath goods if you can’t bring home fresh produce.
