About Venice & Santa Monica
Santa Monica and Venice sit side by side on the Pacific coast, connected by the famous 3-mile Ocean Front Walk (boardwalk). Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Pier are the main tourist draws. Venice Beach has the iconic Muscle Beach outdoor gym, Abbot Kinney Blvd (one of the best restaurant streets in LA), and the Venice Canals.
Santa Monica Highlights
- Santa Monica Pier — amusement rides, aquarium, ocean views
- Third Street Promenade — pedestrian shopping street
- Montana Ave — upscale local shopping and dining
- Palisades Park — bluff-top park overlooking the ocean
Venice Highlights
- Venice Beach Boardwalk — street performers, roller skaters, vendors
- Abbot Kinney Blvd — best restaurant strip in West LA
- Venice Canals — residential, residential walking path, unique in LA
- Muscle Beach — outdoor gym, historic bodybuilding landmark
Getting There
Metro E Line (Expo) terminates at Downtown Santa Monica (Main St at Colorado), providing a direct rail link to DTLA in ~45–50 min. This is the recommended option for event days. The E Line also stops near UCLA (Expo/Bundy).
From LAX: FlyAway bus to Santa Monica runs directly, ~50 min, inexpensive. Rideshare from LAX: ~25–35 min.
Where to Eat
- Gjusta — Venice, bakery and deli, renowned
- Gjelina — Abbot Kinney, California cuisine institution
- Felix Trattoria — Abbot Kinney, outstanding pizza and pasta
- Cassia — Santa Monica, Southeast Asian-French
- Elephant Thai — Ocean Park, local favorite, affordable