Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Santa Monica with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
📍 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.
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.
Seasonal & outdoors near Santa Monica
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Santa Monica.
More Los Angeles family guides
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.