Hotels in Santa Monica, CA

Best time to visit Santa Monica

With average temperatures around 55 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit round the year, any time is a good time to visit Santa Monica. The warmest months are July – September, when daytime highs are approximately 70 – 73 degrees Fahrenheit. April – October is a relatively dry season. Peak tourist season is summer from June – August, when you can enjoy free weekly concerts and movie nights at the Santa Monica Pier. Hotel rates will also be at their peak during this time. If you want slightly cooler temperatures and don’t mind a few rainy days, plan your trip between December – May. All through these winter and spring months, hotel rates tend to be lower than the rest of the year. Remember to pack an umbrella, as you are bound to encounter frequent spells of rain, especially in January – February.

Getting around Santa Monica

The best way to explore the 3-mile long Santa Monica Beach is to walk along on the soft, white sand while you take in spectacular ocean views and enjoy the cool ocean breeze. To venture into other parts of the city, hop on Bus # 1 – 10 or Rapid Bus # 3 and 7, operated by Big Blue Bus. Cash fare is $1.25 USD per ride, and if you have a pre-loaded smart card such as TAP, you can enjoy the discounted fare of $1.10 USD per ride. You can also try Santa Monica’s Breeze Bike Share program sponsored by Hulu. The bright-green Breeze bikes are a common sight on city streets. You can opt for the Pay-As-You-Go plan at an hourly rate of $7.00 USD and unlock a bike at any of the bike hubs all over the city. There are several reputed and authorized taxi companies that operate in Santa Monica. Flag drop is $2.85 USD for the first 1/9th mile and $2.70 USD for each additional mile thereafter.

Best places to stay in Santa Monica

A glitzy and luxurious seaside town with gorgeous beaches, world-class shopping and quintessential California restaurants and bars, Santa Monica boasts some of the best ocean views and an eclectic local vibe. While most of the luxury hotels are located along the beach and the pier, you’ll find a good range of reasonably priced hotels a few blocks away from the beach.

Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Pico Boulevard, Ocean Avenue

Santa Monica Beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Californian coastline, featuring a wide sandy beach. Some of the most luxurious hotels are lined along the beach and Santa Monica Pier. Adjacent to the pier, you have the 1926-dated Hotel Casa del Mar, the most opulent beach hotel with ultra-luxe décor, sophisticated guest rooms, lively public spaces and a relaxing ambiance. You’ll definitely spot a celebrity or two as several Hollywood A-listers choose to stay at this hotel. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, consider the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Take advantage of the stylishly-designed, spacious guestrooms, remarkable ocean views, and sophisticated on-site facilities.

Pico Boulevard runs from the Pacific Ocean at Appian Way and inland into downtown. Directly on Pico Boulevard, check out the chic rooms and serene spa in Shutters on the Beach hotel. You can also consider the contemporary rooms and relaxed ambience of Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica hotel.

Ocean Avenue runs parallel to the pier and the beach, just one block away, and is perched on an escarpment overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Consider the Hotel Shangri-La at the Ocean, a 1939-dated Art-Deco hotel offering boutique-style accommodation and a rooftop bar with stunning ocean views. You can also look at The Georgian Hotel set in a historic landmark building with distinct Art-Deco architecture. This hotel is known for its Old Hollywood-style glamorous ambience, well-appointed rooms and suites, and premium ocean view dining.

Downtown Santa Monica, Third Street Promenade, Main Street

Downtown Santa Monica includes Main Street, Second Street and Third Street, and it’s just a few blocks beyond Ocean Avenue. While the hotels here are not directly on the beach, they still offer great ocean views and easy access to the sand. Check out Huntley Santa Monica Beach, a luxurious hotel on Second Street. The hotel’s restaurant on the 18th floor offers spectacular 360-degree views of Santa Monica city. On Third Street, consider Palihouse Santa Monica, a beautifully restored 1920-dated Mediterranean garden-style hotel that retains its old-world charm. Choose from spacious rooms or tastefully appointed 1 – 2 bedroom suites and sophisticated on-site facilities. To experience a more local vibe, stay on Main Street which offers an artsy ambience, weekend farmer’s markets, a bunch of art galleries, specialty shops and restaurants. Located across from the venue of the Sunday farmer’s market, stay in the Sea Shore Motel that offers comfortable rooms with private balconies and excellent amenities.

Cheap hotels in Santa Monica

Amid the high-end and luxury boutique hotels on Santa Monica Beach and near Santa Monica Pier, you can also find some comfortable, budget-friendly hotels. Check out the Seaview Hotel, an Art-Deco motel set in a 1950-built low-rise building. The hotel offers colorful, minimalist rooms and a rooftop sundeck, just steps away from the beach. In the same area, you also have the Ocean Lodge Hotel Santa Monica Beach, Ocean View Hotel and Bayside Hotel. In the arts and entertainment neighborhood of Mid-City which is over 20-blocks away from the beach, you can find budget-friendly hotels, such as Comfort Inn Santa Monica – West Los Angeles hotel or Days Inn Santa Monica / Los Angeles hotel. On Santa Monica Boulevard, you can also look at the Best Western Plus Gateway Hotel Santa Monica. Close to the Santa Monica Airport area, consider the Pavilions Motel, Ocean Park Inn – Hotel, or Ocean Park Hotel.

Most travelers to Santa Monica prefer to spend their time lapping up the high-life in their luxury beachside resorts. An ideal holiday would involve cozying up in the lush cabanas lining the pool, sipping on beverages as you watch the day go by and catching golden sunsets while dining al fresco on a fashionable patio. When you venture outside your resort or hotel, here are a few activities that you may want to include in your Santa Monica itinerary.

• Spend time on the iconic Santa Monica Pier that is packed with fun and entertainment, including a Ferris wheel, fairground games, cotton candy stands and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.
• Enjoy an array of rides, shopping, and specialty food outlets in Pacific Park, a family-friendly theme park on the Santa Monica Pier.
• Go swimming or snorkeling, or lounge around sunbathing and people-watching on the 3-mile long Santa Monica Beach.
• Tackle parallel bars, uneven bars and ring swings. Enjoy a workout in public at the original Muscle Beach, just south of the Santa Monica Pier.
• Arts and culture enthusiasts can explore over 75 museums, galleries, public sculptures and street art installations in Santa Monica. Stop by at Bergamot Station, a large complex home to approximately 35 contemporary art galleries.
• Learn more about California history at the California Heritage Museum, set in a restored 1894-dated house, displaying an assortment of unique artifacts.
• Explore the largest air and space collection in the U.S. at the Museum of Flying located near the airport.
• Go on a shopping spree across town. Head to the quaint little shops of Montana Avenue. Browse through glittering premium brand stores, such as Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and Louis Vuitton at Santa Monica Place. Enjoy the pedestrian-only, open-air shopping area on Third Street Promenade.
• Stroll through the bustling and expansive Santa Monica Farmers’ Market that runs at 2 different locations on Saturdays, and a single location on Sundays and Wednesdays. Take in the vibrant ambience of the market and sample delicious local fare. You’ll be impressed by the refined nature of the facility spaces.