Things to do in Santa Monica With Kids
Located west of Downtown Los Angeles and only about 8km from Los Angeles International Airport. Santa Monica is a must-see when visiting Southern California.
Situated on the Pacific Ocean’s west coast with Pacific Palisades to the north and Venice Beach including Marina Del Rey to the South. So you are right in the action and the great news is that there are so many amazing things to do in Santa Monica.
Below is our comprehensive list of favourite activities we loved doing with our kids.
Things to do on Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier
We opted to walk the pier at first, here you will find a mix of buskers and street performers lining the sides and earning a living. The street performers we watched were very entertaining, just make sure if you stop and watch for a while that you tip at the end.
The family posing for a photo under the Santa Monica Route 66 sign. A must for tourists.
At the end of the pier, there is a restaurant to the right that overlooks the sea and in front you find local fisherman casting their lines of the end of the pier looking for the catch of the day.
If you are keen to join in head to the Bait and Tackle shop where you can rent fishing gear. We were also lucky as we got to see a seal swimming around, kids were pretty happy about this.
There are plenty of souvenir shops and stalls along the pier selling all kinds of tourist gifts and treasures. Lukas spent $11 on a little VW Combi with Santa Monica on the side. There is a range of t-shirts, hats and artworks available too.
One of the oldest structures is the famous Santa Monica Pier Carousel, this was built sometime in the 1920s and is in the Hippodrome. Rides are only a couple of dollars, well worth it.
Entrance from the Pier to the Pacific Park. Great place for some family fun
Pacific Park
One of the best things about the Pier is Pacific Park an amusement park featuring a wide range of rides and games.
It’s home to the first solar-powered Ferris wheel which is 9 stories tall, the ‘West Coaster’ roller coaster and 10 other thrill rides. There are plenty of amusement park games waiting for you to win a prize.
Carnival games such as Water Race, Whac-A-Mole, Mini Hoops Ring Toss and Long Range Basketball just to name a few. They are so much fun to play.
Pier Aquarium
There is even an aquarium on the pier, known as Heal the Bay Aquarium. It’s located under the pier and the cost of admission is only $7 for adults and kids 12 and under are FREE.
Sadly we didn’t go in as we were out of time but there are over 100 local species, educational programs and hands-on activities. It also looks at threats to the area and the pollution of plastic.
Photo opportunity at the Santa Monica sign at the end of the pier
Santa Monica Pier Kids Scavenger Hunt
If you are looking for something fun to do for the whole family then check out the Santa Monica Pier Kids Scavenger Hunt. It’s FREE, just print your map here and then off you go.
This is a great way to explore and learn about the pier. The map also has 15% off discount’s attached to it for Santa Monica Pier Shop and the Pacific Park.
There are a couple of other companies including Watson’s Adventures that run kids Scavenger Hunts. Some start at Palisades Park and explores the area of Santa Monica including Playland Arcade and the Third Street Promenade.
Places to Eat on the Pier
If you are feeling hungry there is a range of places to meet your appetite either sitting down or standing up.
Seaside on the Pier serves great sandwiches, Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Pier Burger, The Albright Seafood Restaurant and the Pacific Park Food Court are just a some of the places to grab a bite and enjoy.
If you are looking for more variety just cross over Ocean Ave and you are in the City of Santa Monica.
The famous Santa Monica sign welcoming you to the pier
Car Parking
There is a large car park to the north of the pier or you could try you lucky and park on the pier. For a few hours, we spent here parking cost us $7. We arrive around 9 am and the was plenty of space. There is also more parking further north and south of the pier if you don’t mind walking.
Wander Around Santa Monica
Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica Beach is 3.5 miles long and split into two sections. The beach South of the pier has car parks, hotels, houses and parks surrounding it. It even has the original Muscle Beach before it moved the Venice beach. There is also Chess Park here too.
The beach to the North of the pier has the Pacific Coast Highway and the Palisades (ocean bluff) behind it however there are walkways and bridges to get from the beach into the city. A little further along there are a couple of cafes; Perry’s Cafe and Beach Rentals. In fact, there is also a Perry’s Cafe and Beach Rentals South of the pier too. Here you can rent a bike, umbrellas, chairs, surfboards just to name a few.
You can even hire your own butler! They offer an online booking system. Back on the Beach Cafe is located at the Annenberg Beach House and they have a small selection of beach things to rent. They also offer a great range of food.
Across the Pacific Coast Highway, there is Palisades Park, a perfect place for a walk.
Looking down the beach, plenty of room for everyone
Watch Street Performers
If you happen to be on Third Street Promenade then you’ll be entertained by the street performers (singers, performers, dancers, etc) and it’s well within walking distance from the pier.
Along the promenade, there is a great range of shops and street stalls for those keen on shopping as well as several restaurants.
Annenberg Beach House
If taking a swim in the Pacific is not your fancy but you still want a swim, check out Annenberg Beach House (North side of the pier).
This place is open to all and includes a playground, beach areas, courts, a splash pad which is great for kids and an outside swimming pool. The pool is seasonal and costs adults $10 and kids $4.
Make sure you go up to the view deck on the 2nd floor. You get amazing views of Santa Monica beach, the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding areas.
You could spend the entire day here.
Over looking the South Beach and the Pier
Visit a Museum
Museum of Flying
Located at the Santa Monica airport, this is an awesome museum to visit if your kids are interested in flight.
They show a great movie on the history of planes in the US, have a flight simulator that kids can fly and plenty of historical planes some you can even sit in. FedEx donated the front section of a 727 so the kids can sit in the pilot and co-pilot seat. Along with so much more.
The staff here are very knowledgeable and always happy to answer your questions. For adults, it’s $10 and kids $6 which makes incredible value.
Cayton Children’s Museum
If you are looking for a place for your kids to run free in a safe and secure environment then you have to check out Cayton Children’s Museum.
This place is designed for kids to learn about themselves and their community through free play and discovery.
The Museum is split into 5 areas; Let’s Help, Together We, Reach For, Reflect On, and Launch Your. These areas are for kids to gain confidence, learn new skills, observe the world around them and teamwork just to name a few.
This is a great way to spend a few hours and your kids will love it.
Santa Monica History Museum
Another museum that’s close to the Pier. Located on 7th Street. If you are looking to learn the complete history of Santa Monica then this is the spot to come.
It might not be the greatest place for kids but as long as you are happy to explain the information then they could enjoy it.
The staff here are friendly and very helpful.
The Santa Monica Pleasure Pier exhibition is really interesting.
Exhibitions here change regularly too. It’s worth looking at the site online to check if everything interests you.
The view from one of the few bridges connect the beach and the city
Santa Monica Stairs
If you fancy a little bit of exercise or want to tire your kids out then this is the place to visit. This spot is very popular with tourists and fitness buffs alike.
There are two sets of stairs; the concrete stairs are 199 steps and the wooden stairs are 170 steps.
The top of the stairs are located on Adelaide Drive and the bottom is on Entrada Drive. The 2nd set goes from the Ocean Avenue Extension up to Adelaide Drive near 4th Street, these are the concrete steps.
Farmer’s Markets
This might be something a little different, especially with kids but there are a few local farmers’ markets you could check out.
Who knows you could bump into A-list celebrities or a famous chef from one of Los Angeles finest restaurants.
The Main Street Farmers Market is great for families as it offers family entertainment including bands playing live music, face painting etc.
All these markets, however, offer amazing food. Make sure you check out at least one farmer’s market from the following even just for a stroll and to take in the atmosphere;
Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market
Open: Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 am-1 pm, located on Arizona Avenue, between 4th & Ocean
Virginia Avenue Park/Pico Boulevard Farmers Market
Open: Saturdays from 8 am – 1 pm, located on 2200 Virginia Ave
The Main Street Farmers Market
Open: Sundays from 8.30 am – 1.30 pm, located on 2640 Main St
Finally Thoughts
Overall we spent a lot of great family time in Santa Monica and I’m sure we only touched the tip of the iceberg. You can easily spend a day here tripping around or 2 the 3 days really exploring everything this city has to offer. And there are plenty of great hotels around the area.
Whether you are passing through or planning a California road trip. If you are looking for quality family time with a mix of fun, learning and a little adventure then and need to visit Santa Monica. You will have the time of your life.
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Meet the family
We are a family of 4 living in New Zealand. I’m a teacher (great profession for traveling) and my wife Connie is a section administrator. We are also proud parents of two travel-loving boys.
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Hi, I’ve been fortunate enough to have travelled for over 25 years. My parents gave me the travel bug when I was 10 years old by taking my sister and I to the USA and Mexico for two months. I’ve travelled by myself, with mates, with my wife and now as a family of four. My goal is to inspire our families to get out and see the world.
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