How to spend the perfect day in Santa Monica, California based on our adventures.

We originally stayed in Santa Monica, California so Kelsey could run the LA marathon but loved it so much we went back again. Santa Monica offers a beachy LA vibe but with a more laid back attitude.

We did a lot of adventuring in Venice which most consider part of Santa Monica. Consider this travel guide for both Santa Monica and Venice, both amazing, fun cities.

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Where to Stay

Airbnb

One of the best parts about being in Santa Monica is being able to walk around. There are plenty of apartments and guest homes you can rent on Airbnb that is right by the action. We are not even sure of a hotel that also gives you such a great spot.

Every time we go we rent the same Airbnb because we LOVE IT. It is a great little place on the bottom floor of a guesthouse with a nice beach vibe. It is centrally located a couple of blocks away from Santa Monica's main street. We were able to walk everywhere when we stayed there which we loved.

The apartment has a full wall of windows in addition to a nice large shower, bikes, and a surfboard to borrow. The owner always leaves out some snacks whenever we arrive and there is even a secured parking spot which is a rare find pretty much anywhere in Santa Monica.

Where to Eat

The Butcher's Daughter

We are always on the lookout for plant-based restaurants. This place calls itself a "vegetable slaughterhouse". It is technically located in Venice, California but is right by Santa Monica.

They have their take on typical dishes and also created unique vegan meals. Since they are all about the veggies there is also a fresh juice bar. They do get busy so either go early, make a reservation or choose to just pick up.

We went for brunch and it was PERFECT. The inside has a boho-chic vibe and the outdoor sitting puts your right on the street. Plus add that to their fresh juice mimosas and amazing coffee drinks. The avocado toast was perfect for a vegan choice and filling.

Grey Block Pizza

Phil loves pizza so finding a place nearby with vegan cheese is always a win. This place uses organic or local ingredients whenever possible so it was a place we wanted to check out.

We ended up ordering online and driving over to pick it up which worked out well. Their online ordering system worked well and we even picked up some cookies. They were also one of the few places in the area that had a jalapeno and pineapple pizza option, which is our go-to pizza choice.

What to Do

St. Matthews Thrift Store

Kelsey tries to also find a thrift store whenever we are traveling. She prefers smaller stores that benefit a charity. St. Matthews was perfect. Not to mention they had a great selection and very affordable prices.

Walk Around

We decided to just go for a quick walk and ran into a street fair. Turns out that kinda thing happens often in Santa Monica so a light walk can easily turn into more adventures. You can always find more festivals on the Santa Monica website if you are more of a planner.

The big draw of Santa Monica is the beach and no matter where you stay, it's a short journey to the beach. The main strip is also a great place to walk around, with restaurants and shops to check out in any direction.

MedMen

Recreational marijuana is in full swing in California and while we were visiting a new store was just about to open. It turns out it was a pretty big deal and there was press crowding the sidewalks.

Even if you don't want to buy anything it may still be a cool place to check out. As long as you are over 21 and have an ID you should be good to go and check it out.

We hope our travel guide for Santa Monica, California will inspire you and help you plan your next trip. This town near LA has the perfect beachy and hipster vibe. Happy Adventuring!