- List your property
- Support
- Trips
- Members save 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide when you’re signed in





Private Santa Monica & Venice Tour: 40+ Sights, Beaches, Canals
Features
- Free cancellation available
- 3h
- Mobile voucher
- Instant confirmation
- Multiple languages
Overview
Explore the very best of Los Angeles' world-famous coastline on a private experience through Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and (on the driving option) Marina del Rey. From the end of historic Route 66 and the iconic Santa Monica Pier to Venice's colorful boardwalk, canals, street art, surf culture, celebrity spots, hidden gems, you'll discover the many sides of California coastal life in one unforgettable journey.
Unlike typical beach tours, this experience combines history, architecture, oceanfront scenery, local culture, photography, and off-the-beaten-path discoveries. Enjoy Pacific views, Venice's creative spirit, beautiful canals, palm-lined streets, famous landmarks, and insider stories while exploring the places that define Southern California.
Choose between a walking tour of Santa Monica and Venice or a driving experience that also includes Marina del Rey—home to North America's largest man-made small-craft harbor, luxury yachts, waterfront neighborhoods, and hidden marina gems.
Activity location
- Santa Monica
- Santa Monica, California, United States
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Espresso Cielo
- 1431 2nd Street
- 90401, Santa Monica, California, United States
Check availability
Santa Monica & Venice Tour
- 3h
Activity duration is 3 hours 3h - English
Walking Tour - SM + Venice: 3-Hour Walking Tour — Santa Monica & Venice. Discover coastal LA on foot - Route 66, Pier, Venice Beach, canals, murals,beach
Driving Tour w/ Marina Del Rey
- 3h
Activity duration is 3 hours 3h - English
Driving Tour w/ Marina Del Rey: 3-Hour Driving Tour — Santa Monica, Venice & Marina del Rey. Experience the ultimate coastal Los Angeles with minimal walking
What's included, what's not
Inclusions Ideal for travelers seeking maximum comfort, minimal walking (3-hour Driving Tour only)Inclusions Expert local guide sharing fascinating stories, insider knowledge, and local secrets on private tourInclusions 30+ iconic California-style photo opportunities at Santa Monica and Venice's most scenic locationsInclusions Explore up to 55+ landmarks across Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey (3-hour Driving Tour only)Inclusions Explore 40+ landmarks, hidden gems, coastal highlights, cultural sites, canals, piersInclusions Exclusive private experience — personalized, flexible, and designed entirely around your groupInclusions Flexible pace tailored to your interests and preferred style of explorationInclusions Discover both iconic attractions and lesser-known local spots most visitors never find on their ownInclusions Explore Santa Monica Pier, Route 66, Venice Beach Boardwalk, Venice Canals, Abbot Kinney BoulevardInclusions Includes Fisherman's Village, Marina del Rey Harbor, harbor views (3-hour Driving Tour only)Inclusions Personalized recommendations for restaurants, cafes, shopping, beaches, sunset spotsInclusions California beach lifestyle, surf culture, history, architecture, art, hidden gems, and local storiesInclusions Downtown Santa Monica, Coastal Santa Monica, Venice Beach, the Venice Canals, Abbot Kinney DistrictExclusions Food and drinksExclusions Gratuities
Know before you book
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This is a private experience designed exclusively for your group, allowing for a flexible pace and personalized attention throughout the tour.
- The itinerary is designed to showcase as many highlights as possible; however, the number of sights visited may vary depending on your preferred pace and time spent at each location.
- Designed for travelers who want to go beyond typical sightseeing routes and discover Santa Monica and Venice through local stories, hidden gems, and neighborhood insights.
- Unlike many tours that focus primarily on the boardwalk, this experience combines iconic landmarks, coastal viewpoints, local culture, architecture, history, art, and lesser-known discoveries in one seamless journey.
- The 3-hour Driving Tour additionally includes Marina del Rey, offering access to waterfront viewpoints, luxury yachts, Fisherman's Village, and hidden marina gems rarely included on standard tours. (3-hour Driving Tour with Marina del Rey only)
- A moderate amount of walking is required, with frequent stops for sightseeing, storytelling, photos, and short breaks throughout the experience. Walking is significantly reduced on the Driving Tour option. (Driving Tour option only)
- Ideal for first-time visitors who want to experience the highlights, as well as returning travelers looking to discover a different side of Santa Monica, Venice, and Marina del Rey. (Marina del Rey included on 3-hour Driving Tour only
- Many locations featured on the tour have appeared in films, television shows, travel publications, and social media content viewed around the world.
- The route includes some of the area's most photogenic locations, with numerous opportunities for memorable photos throughout the experience.
- Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and a bottle of water are recommended.
- Santa Monica, Venice, and Marina del Rey are constantly evolving communities, and the route may occasionally be adjusted due to local events, festivals, filming activity, construction, or temporary closures. (Marina del Rey included on 3-hour Driving Tour only)
- Perfect for beach lovers, photographers, architecture enthusiasts, culture seekers, food lovers, and travelers who enjoy discovering hidden gems.
- Your guide will be happy to provide personalized recommendations for restaurants, cafés, rooftop bars, beaches, shopping, and additional local experiences after the tour.
Activity itinerary
Santa Monica
- 5m
Third Street Promenade
- 5m
Santa Monica Place
- 5m
Arizona Avenue
- 5m
Tongva Park
- 5m
Ken Genser Square
- 1m
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
- 1m
Ocean Avenue
- 5m
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
- 1m
Palisades Park
- 3m
Camera Obscura
- 1m
Route 66 End of the Trail Sign
- 1m
Santa Monica Pier
- 5m
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier
- 3m
Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome
- 1m
Candy Carousel
- 1m
Heal the Bay Aquarium
- 1m
Santa Monica State Beach
- 3m
Original Muscle Beach Santa Monica
- 2m
Crescent Bay Park
- 3m
Dorothy Green Park
- 3m
Ocean View Park
- 3m
Marvin Braude Bike Trail
- 3m
Breakwater Lifeguard Tower
- 1m
Venice Fishing Pier
- 3m
Venice Sign
- 1m
Venice Beach Boardwalk
- 3m
Venice Skatepark
- 1m
Muscle Beach Venice
- 2m
Venice art walls
- 3m
1800 Ocean Front Walk
- 3m
1 W Washington Blvd
- 1m
Windward Avenue
- 1m
Venice Canal Historic District
- 5m
Carroll Canal
- 1m
Eastern Court
- 1m
Venice Canals Walkway
- 3m
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
- 5m
North Venice Boulevard
- 2m
Venice
- 3m
Erewhon Venice
- 2m
Gjelina
- 1m
Marina Peninsula
- 3m
Via Marina
- 3m
Mother’s Beach Playground
- 3m
Marina del Rey Harbor
- 3m
Waterfront Place
- 2m
Admiralty Way
- 1m
Villa Marina Marketplace
- 5m
La Villa Marina (Pass by)
Waterside, Marina del Rey
- 1m
Lighthouse Street
- 1m
Burton Chace Park
- 5m
Fisherman's Village
- 10m
Location
Activity location
- Santa Monica
LOB_ACTIVITIES LOB_ACTIVITIES - Santa Monica, California, United States
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Espresso Cielo
PEOPLE PEOPLE - 1431 2nd Street
- 90401, Santa Monica, California, United States