Sure, you could spend the day standing in line at the pier or renting a bike that hasn’t seen oil since 2007. But why settle? The most Instagrammable things to do in Santa Monica are waiting, and they’re anything but basic.
Luxe picnics, golden-hour strolls, hidden gems, and seaside moments that practically post themselves. Here’s our list that brings the vibe.
1. Picnic at Ocean View Park 🧺 🌊 ☀️
Among the most stylish things to do in Santa Monica is setting up an equally effortless and Instagrammable beachside picnic at Ocean View Park, just south of the main beach. This is about creating a laid-back scene with serious visual appeal.
Layered in a beautiful setup with low tables, fresh flowers, a delicious charcuterie board with premium cheeses, and cured meats. How about tasting a delightful berry tower with creamy Nutella, right by the ocean? Oh, yeah!
Pair that with the soft roll of ocean waves and warm light reflecting off the water, and you’ve got a scroll-stopping moment. This kind of coastal setup is made for the grid and memory-making that lingers well after sunset.
Looking to plan your picturesque setup? We are the leading Santa Monica picnic company and can make your dream come true.
Local tip: Head here around 5:30 p.m. for soft golden light and fewer crowds. It’s a local favorite for quiet sunsets with front-row ocean views.
2. Sunset Views from Idaho Bluff 🌅
When it comes to photogenic things to do in Santa Monica today, catching the golden hour at Palisades Park, especially near the Idaho Avenue Bluff, is hard to beat.
Perched just above the coastline, this lush stretch of palms and walking paths offers an open view of the Pacific that feels like it was made for your camera roll.
As the sun dips low, silhouettes take on a cinematic quality, whether couples strolling hand in hand or lone skaters carving along the bluff. The colors shift from amber to rose, casting a soft haze that makes every frame look filtered (without needing one).
Pack something simple, such as a picnic blanket, your favorite playlist, maybe a lavender lemonade, and post under the swaying trees. This is where the day turns into art.
Local tip: The Idaho Bluff section is quieter than the main park stretch. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset to claim the best spot under the palms.
3. Matcha at Lo/Cal or Goodboybob ☕
Stylish cafés are practically a sport in Santa Monica, and the coffee scene delivers for those who live for a latte-and-light moment. We look for the soft morning shadows, terrazzo tabletops, and that perfect overhead shot of frothy matcha against sun-washed marble. Here are our top 3 coffee shops to start your day with:
- La La Land Kind Cafe: Known for its bright yellow doors, this cafe is perfect for sunny matcha moments and meaningful vibes.
- Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden: A peaceful hidden gem with botanical drinks and outdoor garden seating.
- Goodboybob Coffee Roasters: Sleek, serious coffee. Must for espresso lovers and creative souls alike.
These charming spots can be the fun things to do in Santa Monica and a reminder that even your coffee break deserves main-feed energy.
Local tip: Head to Lo/Cal Coffee’s back patio on a weekday morning. They are shaded until 10 a.m. and almost always free of crowds, it’s a soft-lit dream for flat lays and quiet sips.
4. Murals on Main & Ocean Park 🎨
For a post that practically captions itself, nothing beats a bold mural moment. Santa Monica’s street art is thoughtfully tucked into alleys, shop exteriors, and unexpected corners of the city.
The “Love Wall” by James Goldcrown near Main Street and the ever-changing pieces along Ocean Park Boulevard, especially behind the TOMS store, are just a few of our favorites.
Stand back, tilt the lens slightly, and let the color talk. It’s one of those unique things in Santa Monica that brings out your inner creative director.
Discover more murals in Santa Monica on this official site.
Local tip: Visit around 10 a.m. for soft light and shadow-free murals—and check behind local shops for less-tagged walls that don’t make it onto tourist maps.
5. Hidden Corners: Tongva & 3rd St Courtyard 🌴
There’s something about discovering a place that feels like it was meant just for you. This place has a quiet side, tucked behind the noise of the promenade and beach crowds.
Tongva Park, with its sculptural walkways, elevated lookouts, and flowing fountains, is one of Santa Monica’s most unexpectedly peaceful spots. Or slip into the 3rd Street Courtyard near Wilshire with string lights, café chairs, and a moment of stillness amid the city.
Finding these hidden Santa Monica gems is like playing a visual treasure hunt that rewards you with scroll-stopping backdrops and a sense of local intimacy. Don’t be surprised if these quieter moments are your favorite shots of the day.
Tip: Visit Tongva just after rain because reflections in the curved metal and fountain basins create an otherworldly photo effect that feels cinematic and serene. Meanwhile, this guide to outdoor activities in LA includes more Santa Monica gems worth exploring.
6. Skaters & Strolls: Bay to Bicknell 🛼
Its beachfront path is where energy meets ease. Bikers glide past, roller skaters show off rhythmic moves, and every direction offers a new slice of coastal life.
Walking the Ocean Front Walk from Bay Street to Bicknell Avenue is a chance to feel Santa Monica’s rhythm in motion. Santa Monica activities don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, a walk with the right lighting and soundtrack is all you need.
Local tip: Around 4 p.m., you’ll catch skaters gathering near Lifeguard Tower 26. It’s when the sun-glow on the pavement and freestyle moves make it a reel-worthy golden hour hotspot.
7. Golden Hour on the Pacific Wheel🎡
Santa Monica Pier might be iconic, but the best views come from above. Hop onto the Pacific Wheel and let the slow rotation reveal the coastline in full panoramic glory.
It’s the ride that feels nostalgic and a little surreal, especially if you time it just before sunset. Snap a photo from the top with your feet dangling, the beach stretching beneath you. Things to see in Santa Monica don’t get more classic (or more camera-ready) than this.
Local tip: Buy tickets online and ride 20–30 minutes before sunset for the richest light and fewest shadows.
8. Drinks at Élephante or ONYX Rooftop🍹
Some photos whisper luxury, like chilled glass, soft lighting, and maybe a marble bar with fresh herbs on display. Santa Monica’s rooftop and patio lounges offer that elevated moment, where the details are the star.
Places like Élephante and the ONYX Rooftop at Hotel Shangri-La make it easy to get a golden-hour cocktail shot that feels as good as it looks. Santa Monica activities come in all forms. And yes, one of them is slowly sipping something spritzed, watching the city blush into dusk.
Date night tip: Browse this guide for more elevated ideas beyond the usual dinner-and-a-movie.
Local tip: For unobstructed sunset views, ask for a northwest-facing table at ONYX. Locals know it’s the best seat in the house on a weekday when it’s blissfully quiet.
9. Closet Trading & Buffalo Exchange 🛍️
Hidden among the boutiques and beachfront shops are vintage stores just waiting to be discovered. The Closet Trading Co. and Buffalo Exchange on Main Street are two treasure troves of style where the mirrors are made for selfies and every rack holds a surprise.
Snag something unexpected, pose in the mirror, or lay flat on a textured bench outside. These are the fun things you can do that blend a little fashion with a lot of flair.
Local tip: The $5 bins near the register at Buffalo Exchange often hide one-of-a-kind accessories. Go early before the weekend crowd scoops them up.
10. Beach Outfits at Barnard Bridge 🏖️
Yes, it’s a beach town. But Santa Monica also knows how to serve a lewk. Early morning or golden hour is prime time for that breezy, linen-draped, sunhat-tipped photo by the shore.
No need for a professional shoot, just the right outfit, natural light, and a hint of movement. Posting your fit on the beach absolutely counts.
Local tip: Cross the Barnard Way footbridge at Ocean Park Boulevard. It opens onto a stretch of beach with fewer crowds and a perfect wind-swept backdrop.
11. Santa Monica Pier 🎢
There’s a rhythm to the Santa Monica Pier that’s impossible to ignore. Street performers, cotton candy, and music drifting from the carousel, it’s kinetic, colorful, and full of life.
Snap a shot mid-step, hair catching the breeze, sun at your back. Or catch a friend walking ahead, framed by twinkling lights and wooden planks.
Local tip: Head directly beneath the pier on the south side, just past Hot Dog on a Stick. The shadows, sand textures, and angled light make every motion shot cinematic and moody.
12. Bay St to Muscle Beach 🎥
Sometimes, the best shots are unexpected: a hand reaching for ice cream, a shadow on the pavement, a slow pan down the shoreline. Film a reel miming a day-in-the-life montage, combining detail, motion, and texture. This candid visual diary makes for the kind of post people pause to watch.
Local tip: Start filming at Bay Street, follow the sidewalk toward Muscle Beach, and time your pass-through for late afternoon. You’ll catch performers, palm shadows, and golden flares bouncing off the pavement.
13. Rooftop Glow at Proper & Bungalow 🌇
Not only do they offer sweeping views of the ocean and cityscape. They’re also a goldmine for those early-evening shots that hit just right. As the light shifts from soft peach to deep coral, cocktails clink, skin glows, and shadows stretch long across smooth tabletops.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel’s rooftop brings elevated design and dramatic sunset hues. Meanwhile, The Bungalow’s vintage lounge vibe adds a laid-back edge to golden hour portraits.
It’s effortlessly cool. It’s moody, warm, and camera-ready. These rooftops are unique things in Santa Monica that don’t require much, just good timing and a charged phone.
Local tip: Locals know to grab a seat at The Bungalow’s west corner patio. The last sunlight hits here long after it fades elsewhere.
14. Dinner Details at Tar & Roses🥂
Food photography might’ve started as a trend, but it’s evolved into a full-on art form in Santa Monica. Tapas under string lights, artfully scattered herbs, and candlelit close-ups are the little things that make these meals visually golden.
Tar & Roses, with its warm wood interiors and glowing tabletop ambiance, is a favorite for elevated bites and subtle lighting that flatters every frame.
Local tip: Ask for the outdoor table closest to the corner planter for that soft, layered background that makes your dish and wine glass pop on camera.
15. Palm Walks on Ashland Ave🌴
Not every photo needs a big moment. Some of the most memorable Santa Monica activities are the in-betweens: leaning against a palm tree with an iced drink, lying on the beach with sand-streaked legs, laughing mid-conversation as the sun slips.
Capture the energy of the day without overthinking it. This kind of content is lived. And it’s often the most engaging thing you’ll post all week.
Local tip: Walk west on Ashland Avenue from Main Street toward the beach just before sunset for that golden fringe light between the palms and fewer people in your frame.
16. Skater Snap at Crescent Bay Park🛹
You’ll spot them down by the beach. Headphones are on, arms swinging, and just flowing with the pavement. There’s something about the way skaters move here that makes you stop mid-step and open your camera.
Crescent Bay Park has this relaxed buzz that pulls you in. One moment you’re watching someone glide past, the next you’re filming without even thinking. It’s not staged, but it always turns out scroll-worthy.
Local tip: The path curves near a line of eucalyptus trees where the light stays soft late in the day. That’s where you’ll catch the best motion shots without having to chase the angle.
17. Bookshop Vibes on Main Street 📖
Tucked off Main Street, there’s a little bookshop where the shelves lean slightly and the covers feel like they’ve lived a life. Step inside and it’s quiet in the best way. You run your hand along the spines until something just fits.
Outside, the wooden bench out front always catches the afternoon light. It’s the kind of spot where time slows down and no one’s rushing you to move on. You might not post it right away, but you’ll remember it later when your camera roll feels too perfect.
Local tip: Visit Angel City Books & Records in the late morning. The front bench gets soft light around 11 a.m. and the breeze carries that old-book smell straight through the open door.
18. Shoreline Stroll: Towers 24–26 🌊
Once the daytime crowds head in, the stretch between Towers 24 and 26 stays calm. The breeze shifts, the sky leans gold, and the beach softens. It’s the best time to walk without checking the clock.
You’ll catch bits of shells at your feet and long shadows stretching ahead. The tide blurs out your footprints before you even look back. It’s not about staying still. It’s about letting the light move with you.
Local tip: Around 6 p.m., this section of sand opens up. Most people head toward the pier, which means you get a nearly empty horizon and space to breathe.
19. Unplanned Magic on Bay Street 📸
You know the photo. It wasn’t staged. You didn’t think about the angle. But the way your hair moved and how the sun slid across your face just worked. That’s what happens near Bay Street.
This corner of Santa Monica has that easy kind of beauty. Not polished. Not curated. Just the real thing. Sometimes all it takes is crossing the street at the right moment, and there it is. The photo that stays at the top of your grid without even trying.
Local tip: Stand at the Bay Street crosswalk facing the beach during golden hour. The breeze off the water adds just enough movement to bring the frame to life.
20. Story Flow: Lo/Cal to Palisades📍
If your camera roll could talk, it would sound like waves breaking behind you, a laugh you didn’t mean to catch, and the soft clink of a coffee cup hitting the saucer. Your story isn’t a reel of highlights. It’s a feeling that runs through the day.
Start at Lo/Cal Coffee, catch the light across your table. Walk past murals that match your outfit without even trying. Coast down the boardwalk, hair pulled back by the wind. Then end at Palisades Park, where the sky finishes your story.
Local tip: This path flows best between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The light hits clean, and the city hasn’t rushed in yet. You’ll get the good shots without even thinking about it.
21. Garden Escape Behind Annenberg
The sun starts to dip. Your drink’s almost gone. Someone’s talking about nothing in particular, and you don’t want the moment to end. That’s what it feels like in the garden behind the Annenberg Community Beach House.
It’s tucked away, just far enough from the sand. There’s a little bench that stays cool, a path lined with succulents, and the quietness you didn’t know you needed until you’re already sitting in it.
Local tip: This spot stays overlooked. Walk through the south side of the Annenberg courtyard and take the back garden trail. Around 5 p.m., it glows without glare, and you’ll probably have it to yourself.
For more inspiration on where to set up your next open-air hangout, here’s a list of the best picnic spots in LA. A few might surprise you!
Your Instagrammable Santa Monica Day, Ready to Go
You’ve got the list, the vibes, and the inspiration. Now, all that’s left is to live it. Bookmark this guide, share it with your crew, and start planning your next photo-worthy adventure. And when the mood calls for something beautiful and breezy, Picnic Makers is ready to create your ultimate beach moment, so you can show up and enjoy it.
