The touristy areas of these cities offer different things. Venice Beach is a vibrant beach locale that’s perfect during the day, whereas the larger Santa Monica provides a wider range of things to do and a much more happening nightlife.
Is Santa Monica nicer than Venice Beach?
Although it is next to Venice Beach, Santa Monica is known to be more upscale and elegant. This is mainly due to the upscale restaurants, bars, and hotels in Santa Monica. There are many boutique shops and chains like Gap. It caters to the upscale tourist but welcomes budget travelers as well.
Which LA beach is better?
With clean, super-wide, soft, sandy beaches; an amusement pier; a beachfront boardwalk; and some seriously good restaurants, Santa Monica offers the best overall beach experience in Los Angeles. It’s also one of the best beach areas in Southern California.
How close are Venice Beach and Santa Monica?
approximately 3 miles
The distance from Santa Monica to Venice Beach is approximately 3 miles. Can you walk from Venice Beach to Santa Monica Pier? Walking from Venice Beach to Santa Monica is possible – in fact, it’s quite a nice walk on the boardwalk that will take about 45 minutes-1 hour.
Which beach is better Santa Monica or Malibu?
If you want to experience a bit more of a laid-back vibe with more budget options for lodging, Santa Monica is the better choice of California beach town. Malibu will appeal to vacationers seeking a more upscale vibe, as well as a much longer and more varied stretch of coastline.
Is Santa Monica Beach nice?
Santa Monica is among the LA area’s best beaches. From stunning sunsets to the picturesque pier at night… from families and friends playing… to tightrope walkers practicing. Something for everyone. And a plus – having public restrooms as well as dining nearby like Perry’s at the beach.
What is Venice Beach California known for?
Venice Beach is famous the world over for being the playground by the sea for Southern Californians. It is especially well known for its eclectic oceanfront boardwalk. The beach itself offers prime surfing and sunbathing opportunities as well as a plethora of recreational activities, and restaurants.
Is Santa Monica Beach crowded?
The Pier and other popular places swell with visitors during summer months. Summer is the peak travel season in Santa Monica. This means you’ll find more crowds and higher prices at Santa Monica hotels.
Is Santa Monica Beach clean?
The beach is also seventh-dirtiest in the state, and it’s one of two LA-area beaches to make Heal the Bay’s annual “Beach Bummers” list of the most contaminated swimming spots on the California coastline. But it’s not all bad news. By and large, it’s been an exemplary year for water quality at California beaches.
Is Venice Beach nice?
Venice can be described as “free-spirited” with funky shops, street performers and colorful murals. Venice beach is a popular destination, attracting travellers from around the globe. Ideal for people watching, it is really worth taking your time to relax and look around.
Is Santa Monica worth visiting?
The Santa Monica Beach
Not only is the beach a popular tourist destination (thanks in large part to the pier), locals love it, too, since it’s easy to get to from downtown and other parts of LA. And it’s walking distance to plenty of restaurants and shops. The beach is split into two parts: north and south of the pier.
How do I spend a day in Santa Monica?
How To Spend A Day In Santa Monica
- Start At The Santa Monica Pier.
- Stroll Along Third Street Promenade.
- Hit The Beach.
- Visit The Museum Of Flying.
- Bike Along The Strand.
- Check Out The Farnam House.
- Learn To Surf Or Paddleboard.
- Head To The Santa Monica Stairs.
Is Venice Beach Safe?
Venice Beach was named the most dangerous beach on Outforia’s list, with a score of 7.19 out of 10, just barely edging out Daytona Beach, FL, with a score of 7.18 out of 10, by one fraction of a percentage point. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii was third in the ranking at 4.51 out of ten.
Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica nicer?
If you just want to relax without a lot of sightseeing, I’d go with Santa Barbara. Santa Monica is more of a “city on the beach” that still experiences the hustle and bustle of LA, while Santa Barbara is more of a relaxed beach town.
Which is better Santa Monica vs Huntington Beach?
Santa Monica is a major residential area so traffic intensity is higher. Its a good place for night life, power building, bike rides, Venice Beach cafes, and the pier. Huntington Beach is a more relaxed beach area and more family friendly. Its easy to go on whale watching tours or take a day trip to Catalina.
Is Malibu or Santa Barbara Better?
Santa Barbara is a much nicer place than Malibu. Malibu gets a lot of attention because of it’s close proximity to Los Angeles, but Santa Barbara has by far much more to offer in terms of places to eat and things to do.
Can you swim in Santa Monica Beach?
Of course you can swim at the beach in Santa Monica. The water will be cold (the Pacific is a very cold ocean, in the low – mid 60s), but you can swim there. The water quality at the Pier often gets a low rating, but SM beach is many miles long, so you don’t have to swim at the Pier itself.
Is Santa Monica Beach Safe?
A new study says Santa Monica is among the most dangerous cities in California after Safewise analyzed property and violent crime data. Safewise also reported that 54% of Californians said they are highly concerned about violent crime happening to them, which is 13 percentage points higher than the U.S. average.
Is Santa Monica Beach free?
There is no fee to walk on the pier and beach access is also free! Hit the Amusement Park! Part of the Santa Monica Pier is known as Pacific Park–the west coast’s only amusement park on a pier!
Is Venice Beach worth going to?
The beach part of Venice Beach is definitely a worthwhile and unique place to visit on a weekend. A lot of people and street performers. What is not widely known is that hidden away a block or two inland are some interesting modern houses along the canals. Also inland is the retail district along Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Is Venice Beach still fun?
In the 1970s, surfing and skateboarding boomed, and is still very much a part of Venice’s identity. Today, Venice Beach has become a mecca of cool, home to many trendy shops, restaurants, and bars. It has also become a tech hub.
