🌅 Santa Monica in One Day: Best Sunset Spots, Food & Things to Do 🌴

Your complete Santa Monica travel guide — top attractions, food map & parking tips 🌇

Hey everyone, I’m Hattie 👋

In my previous post, I shared about the dreamy pink-toned Malibu Beach, and today, let’s head to Santa Monica, the most iconic and vibrant seaside destination in Los Angeles!

From the classic Santa Monica Pier sunset view and bustling shopping streets to the legendary Route 66 “End of the Trail” landmark — this place is a must-visit stop for every LA itinerary.

🚗 How to Get to Santa Monica + Where to Stay

We stayed at Venice V Hotel near Venice Beach, and it only took about 10 minutes by car to reach Santa Monica.

You can even enjoy a coastal walk along the beach 🌊 — super close, convenient, and perfect for avoiding traffic.

If you’re still looking for accommodation, check out my guide below:

👉 California Budget Hotels Guide｜5 Affordable & Highly Rated Stays 🛏️🌴

Since Santa Monica is always packed with tourists, we arrived around 2 PM to beat both the afternoon crowd and evening traffic.

🅿️ Santa Monica Parking Tips

Here are a few convenient parking options near Santa Monica Pier 👇

• Parking Structure 6

📍1431 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

💵 Free for the first 1.5 hours, then USD 2/hour

• 1550 Pacific Coast Highway Parking

💵 All-day rate USD 15 — best if you plan to stay longer

• Civic Center Parking (where we parked)

💵 Free for 1.5 hours, then USD 3 per 1.5 hrs

💡 Tip: Rates may change — always double-check prices on Google Maps before your trip!

🍽️ Best Restaurant in Santa Monica — Crimson Mediterranean Cuisine

After all the walking and sightseeing, we discovered a hidden gem with excellent Yelp reviews — Crimson, a Mediterranean restaurant that blew us away!

📍606 Broadway Suite 101, Santa Monica, CA 90401

🔗 Check Google Reviews

This was my first time trying Mediterranean food, and it was such a pleasant surprise ✨

🍖 I ordered the Lamb Loin Chops — tender, flavorful, and not gamey at all.

🍗 My friend had the Chicken Kabob — unbelievably juicy! Totally changed how I think about chicken breast.

Bonus points: it’s self-service, so no tipping required, and the staff were super friendly 💯

🌇 Sunset at Santa Monica Pier — Photo & Travel Guide

As golden hour hit, we headed straight to Santa Monica Pier, one of the most famous sunset spots in California. The view was breathtaking 😭

📸 Must-see landmark: the Route 66 End of the Trail sign — but be warned, it’s always crowded. You’ll probably end up with a shot of “you + 66 + random strangers.” 😂

👉 Pro Tip: Walk further toward the roller coaster area — there’s more space, fewer crowds, and the background is cleaner and more dynamic!

🎡 Feeling adventurous? Take the Pacific Park roller coaster ride during sunset for that thrilling view — or do what I did: skip the ride and just take cute photos 🤣

📝 Hattie’s Final Thoughts

If Venice Beach represents freedom and chill vibes, Santa Monica is definitely the lively, energetic twin — full of people, sunshine, and music.

With its sunset views, sandy beaches, global eats, and walkable layout, it’s the perfect half-day or one-day trip for first-time visitors to Los Angeles.

✅ Pro tip: Arrive around noon, grab lunch and explore early, so you can enjoy the sunset without battling the crowd or traffic!