Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Santa Monica with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Santa Monica on the map
📍 Where Santa Monica is
Santa Monica sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: LAX (Los Angeles Intl) (~7 mi / 11 km). It's roughly 14 mi (23 km) from Downtown LA and 118 mi (190 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Santa Monica
Santa Monica Pier & Pacific Park
Iconic oceanfront pier with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, roller coaster, midway games, and an aquarium.
Pier free; ride wristbands ~$40
Heal the Bay Aquarium
Small hands-on aquarium tucked beneath the Santa Monica Pier with local sea creatures and touch tanks.
~$5 suggested; kids under 12 free
Cayton Children's Museum
Large hands-on children's museum at Santa Monica Place with imaginative play zones for young kids.
~$20 per person
Third Street Promenade
Pedestrian shopping street with street performers, dancing topiary fountains, shops, and treats.
Free to strollFarmers markets in Santa Monica
Santa Monica Downtown Farmers Market
A huge year-round market with fresh produce, prepared food, and live music the whole family can graze through.
Santa Monica Main Street Farmers Market
A laid-back Sunday market with a kids' play area, pony rides, and food stalls just off the beach.
Local restaurants in Santa Monica
Gilbert's El Indio
Family-run Pico Blvd Mexican mainstay where all nine Rodriguez kids have worked.
Tacos Por Favor
Beloved family-owned Westside taco counter with Puebla family recipes.
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
The oldest Italian deli in LA, famous for the 'Godmother' sandwich.
Classic Pizza
Longtime Pico Blvd pizzeria, a community staple for casual family pizza nights.
Rae's Restaurant
Time-capsule Pico Blvd diner with vinyl booths, housemade biscuits, and cinnamon rolls.
New York Bagel Deli & Bakery
Independent East Coast-style bagel deli and bakery with bagels, sandwiches, and pastries.
Lunetta
Chef-driven neighborhood all-day diner with local coffee and approachable comfort food.
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
California ice cream maker since 1949 churning small-batch flavors, a sweet stop after a beach day.
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
Home of the Godmother sub (mortadella, capicola, salami, provolone) with the works on house bread. A beach-day grab-and-go stop, though expect a line.
Demitasse
Well-regarded coffee, pastries, and thick hot chocolate. An easy kid treat stop.
Local shops in Santa Monica
The Acorn Store
Specialty shop of natural wooden toys, German playthings, and dress-up — a Waldorf-style haven.
Puzzle Zoo
Iconic Third Street Promenade toy and collectibles store famous for hard-to-find action figures.
Lost & Found
Pair of Main Street shops with independent-designer women's, men's, and kids' apparel.
Angel City Books
Main Street shop for vintage, rare, and collectible books plus vinyl records.
Ten Women Gallery
Artist-run co-op of local women makers with handmade jewelry, ceramics, glass, and prints; you can often meet the maker.
Homage
A tribute to artists and good design, stocking local artist goods, small-studio wares, and artisanal food.
Seasonal & outdoors near Santa Monica
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Santa Monica.
More Los Angeles family guides
Santa Monica family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Santa Monica with kids?
Family favorites in and around Santa Monica include Santa Monica Pier & Pacific Park, Heal the Bay Aquarium, Cayton Children's Museum and Third Street Promenade. Our guide lists 4 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Santa Monica?
Yes — free family spots near Santa Monica include Third Street Promenade. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Santa Monica?
Local, family-friendly spots in Santa Monica include Gilbert's El Indio, Tacos Por Favor, Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery and Classic Pizza, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Santa Monica guide cover?
Our Santa Monica family guide includes 4 things to do, 11 local eats, 6 local shops and 2 farmers markets — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Book Santa Monica tours & tickets
Bookable via Viator · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)Bookable experiences, skip-the-line tickets, and tours in Santa Monica — reserved through Viator.
Free cancellationFull-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More
Free cancellationHollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus
Free cancellationBest of Los Angeles Guided City Tour with 4 Stops and Free Time
Free cancellationTour of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Beach with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellationLA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Beach Tour with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellationBest of LA: Hollywood, Griffith, Santa Monica, Venice, and Rodeo
More experiences via GetYourGuide · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)
Where to stay in Santa Monica
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Santa Monica on one map — then book on your favorite site.