Santa Monica offers the perfect launching point for exploring Southern California. You get easy access to iconic LA landmarks, coastal drives, and beachside adventures without the hassle of navigating from inland areas.
Whether you prefer a guided Hollywood Bus Tour through LA and Beverly Hills or a self-driven escape to Malibu’s beaches, starting from Santa Monica puts you within striking distance of the best experiences Los Angeles has to offer.
Ready to discover the best way to explore beyond the pier? Here’s your complete guide to day trips from Santa Monica.
Skip the hassle and see Hollywood’s best spots and most iconic landmarks with our expert guides! Explore our Hollywood Bus Tours departing from Santa Monica.
Best Day Trips from Santa Monica
Malibu Beaches and Coastal Drive
Malibu sits 20 minutes north along Pacific Coast Highway. The drive is the experience, with ocean views stretching the entire route.
Top stops include:
- El Matador State Beach for dramatic rock formations and secluded coves
- Zuma Beach for wide stretches of sand perfect for surfing
- Getty Villa for free ancient art exhibits (reserve tickets in advance)
- Malibu Country Mart for upscale shopping and dining
Most visitors make this a half-day trip, hitting two or three beaches plus a meal at one of the seafood restaurants overlooking the water. Traffic heading north stays light in the mornings, so leave early.
Venice Beach and the Boardwalk
Venice Beach delivers quintessential Southern California beach culture 15 minutes south of Santa Monica. The boardwalk buzzes with street performers, vendors, artists, and the famous Muscle Beach outdoor gym.
Don’t miss:
- The Venice Canals, just blocks inland, offering quiet walks past charming waterfront homes
- Abbot Kinney Boulevard for boutique shopping, galleries, and restaurants
- The beachfront bike path connecting Venice to Santa Monica
Plan three to four hours to experience Venice properly. The boardwalk peaks between 11 AM and 4 PM when crowds and performers create the full atmosphere.
Beverly Hills Shopping and Celebrity Homes
Beverly Hills sits 30 minutes east, though traffic extends that to 45 minutes during peak hours. Rodeo Drive anchors the shopping district with flagship stores from Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. Even window shopping and people-watching make it worthwhile.
The residential areas north of Sunset Boulevard showcase some of the most famous celebrity homes in Los Angeles. Driving through neighborhoods like Trousdale Estates gives you glimpses of massive estates behind gates and hedges. Most visitors struggle to navigate these winding hillside streets without a guide, and celebrity homes aren’t marked from the road.
Key photo spots:
- Beverly Hills Sign at Santa Monica Boulevard and Beverly Drive
- Greystone Mansion and Park (18 acres of free formal gardens)
- Rodeo Drive storefronts
Want to see celebrity homes without the guesswork? Our local guides know exactly where the stars live and can navigate the hills while you focus on photos. Check out our popular Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Homes Open Air Tour.
Santa Monica to Catalina Island
Catalina Island sits 22 miles offshore and requires a ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach, both 45 minutes to an hour south of the Santa Monica Pier area. The Catalina Express runs multiple daily departures, with the crossing taking an hour.
Avalon greets you with a Mediterranean-style waterfront lined with shops, restaurants, and the iconic Casino building. You can rent golf carts to explore town, take a guided glass-bottom boat tour to see marine life, or hike into the interior for mainland views.
This trip requires a full day. Ferry schedules typically allow six to eight hours on the island for an unforgettable escape from the mainland. Book tickets in advance during summer, as departures fill quickly on weekends.
Santa Barbara Wine Country
Santa Barbara sits 90 miles north, making it the furthest day trip but worth the drive for wine lovers. The scenic route along Highway 101 takes two hours.
Wine tasting hot spots:
- Funk Zone neighborhood near the waterfront packs multiple tasting rooms into a walkable area
- Santa Ynez Valley, 45 minutes north of downtown Santa Barbara, offers vineyard-to-vineyard exploring
- Los Olivos and Solvang make good bases, with Solvang adding Danish-village atmosphere
State Street offers shopping and dining in the Spanish colonial downtown. A walking tour through the historic district reveals Spanish architecture and local boutiques. Stearns Wharf extends into the harbor with restaurant options and mountain views.
Leave the Santa Monica Pier area by 8 AM for a full day of wine tasting and exploring. Summer sunsets come late, so you can enjoy dinner and still return before 10 PM.
Sightseeing Tours from Santa Monica: Experience Los Angeles with Expert Guides
Our guided tours pick you up in Santa Monica and take you straight to the best of Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and celebrity homes—giving you the ultimate Hollywood day trip from Santa Monica the easy way.
No rental car needed. No confusing navigation through canyon roads. No hunting for parking near Rodeo Drive or the Hollywood Sign. You simply board our tour bus, relax in your seat, and let local guides handle everything while sharing insider stories and pointing out landmarks as you explore LA.
Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Homes Open Air Tour
Our popular open-air bus tour from Santa Monica covers Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and celebrity neighborhoods in 3.5 hours. You see the highlights without navigating Los Angeles area traffic.
The guided tour heads east toward Hollywood, passing through West Hollywood and the Sunset Strip. The open-air format means nothing blocks your view or photos. Local guides share stories about landmarks, neighborhood history, and point out celebrity homes as you wind through the hills above Sunset Boulevard.
What you’ll see:
- Hollywood Sign from multiple vantage points, including Mulholland Drive and Griffith Park overlooks
- Celebrity homes belonging to stars like Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Taylor Swift
- Beverly Hills residential streets and the famous Beverly Hills Sign
- West Hollywood and iconic Sunset Strip landmarks
The tour gives you free time to explore for 15 to 30 minutes in Beverly Hills. You get time to walk around the Beverly Hills Sign for photos and explore Rodeo Drive. The break lets you peek into luxury storefronts, grab coffee, or take in the scene.
Celebrity sightings happen regularly. Guides know which restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods see the most star traffic, and they point out anyone they recognize. Having someone who lives and works in LA dramatically increases your chances compared to exploring solo.
Ready to see Hollywood celebrity homes and the best of Beverly Hills without the stress of driving? Book the Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Homes Open Air Tour from Santa Monica.
Comprehensive City Tours: Half Day Best of LA Tour
Looking for the best way to see Hollywood’s most iconic landmarks? The Half Day Best of LA tour hits all the highlights in a convenient 5.5 hours with three major stops where you can explore, eat, and take your time.
Three stops include:
- 45 minutes at the Hollywood Walk of Fame or Santa Monica Pier (depending on departure location)
- 75 minutes at Farmers Market and The Grove for lunch and shopping
- 45 minutes at Griffith Observatory for city views and Hollywood Sign access
The Farmers Market dates back to 1934 and serves everything from tacos to gumbo. The Grove sits next door with upscale shops and an outdoor mall atmosphere.
Griffith Observatory views take in the entire LA basin, from downtown to the Pacific. You can walk toward the Hollywood Sign trail through Griffith Park or explore the free astronomy exhibits inside.
Tours run daily with morning and late morning departures. Book your Half Day Best of LA tour.
Beyond Santa Monica: The Perfect Day in LA
The Perfect Day in LA is a full-day tour that combines both the Celebrity Homes Tour and Half Day Best of LA into one comprehensive experience. You get to spend the day exploring iconic Hollywood landmarks with 7.5 hours of sightseeing, hitting all major highlights and neighborhoods in a single day.
This combination works for travelers with limited time who want to maximize what they see around Los Angeles. The flexibility to book tours individually or together means you customize based on your schedule and interests.
Looking for a more personalized experience? We also offer private tours that let you set your own pace and customize stops in Los Angeles and Hollywood to match your interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Hollywood Tour from Santa Monica?
Our Hollywood Bus Tours range from 3.5 to 7.5 hours. The Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Homes Open Air Tour runs 3.5 hours and focuses on Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and celebrity neighborhoods. The Half Day Best of LA is 5.5 hours with three exploration stops. The Perfect Day in LA tour takes 7.5 hours and covers everything from both tours.
What’s the best day trip from Santa Monica for first-time visitors?
First-timers should prioritize Hollywood and Beverly Hills. These destinations define the LA experience, and the celebrity homes, iconic landmarks, and photo opportunities deliver on what you expect from Southern California. A guided tour handles navigation and ensures you see highlights without getting lost in the hills above Sunset Boulevard. For a complete guide to planning your trip, check out our tips for first-time visitors to Los Angeles.
Can I visit Beverly Hills and Hollywood in one day?
Yes. Beverly Hills and Hollywood sit close enough to see both in one day. The Celebrity Homes Tour connects both neighborhoods in 3.5 hours, taking you through West Hollywood and the Sunset Strip along the way. The tour format maximizes what you see while minimizing traffic and parking time.
Do Hollywood Bus Tours pick up from Santa Monica hotels?
Tours depart from the Shore Hotel at 1515 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. The location sits near the pier with public parking nearby. Most Santa Monica hotels are within a short walk or quick ride to the departure point.
What’s included in Los Angeles tours from Santa Monica?
Hollywood Bus Tours include transportation, a local guide sharing insider tips, and entry to all viewpoints and photo stops. The Half Day Best of LA gives you time to explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame or Santa Monica Pier, the Farmers Market and The Grove, and Griffith Observatory. Meals and shopping are on your own during stops.
Is Venice Beach worth visiting from Santa Monica?
Venice Beach sits 15 minutes south and offers a completely different atmosphere than Santa Monica’s polished vibe. The boardwalk, street performers, Muscle Beach, and Venice Canals make it worth the short trip. You can bike between Santa Monica and Venice along the beach path, experiencing both in one beach day.
Make Your Santa Monica Day Trip Unforgettable
Skip the rental car, parking hassles, and navigation stress. Book your tour from Santa Monica and let us show you the best of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and beyond. Browse all tours departing from Santa Monica.
