Los Angeles: Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway Tour

Santa Monica and Venice Beach are close together, but they have very different characters. On this two-hour Segway ride, you can cover the waterfront between them without spending the outing trudging along the boardwalk, with a guide to help you get comfortable on the machine first.

I like the contrast built into the route: Santa Monica’s grand pier and seaside property give way to Venice’s canals, unusual architecture, and beachside arts scene. I also like that helmet, safety instruction, snacks, and beverages are included, so the price covers more than just a ride.

One practical snag is the footwear rule: sandals, flip-flops, and sports shoes are not allowed. That is an unusual combination, so check with Another Side Tours about suitable shoes before you go.

What to know before you ride

• The route links two distinct beach districts: Glide between Santa Monica and Venice, with time for coastal sights and local character.
• You get a lesson before setting off: The guide provides safety instruction, and one past visitor described practicing in a parking lot before riding through busier areas.
• The Santa Monica Pier anchors the first part: Expect a look at this familiar seaside landmark and the surrounding beachfront.
• Venice brings the oddities: The canals, distinctive homes, street performers, and art galleries offer a sharp change of mood.
• The meeting point is easy to mix up: Start at the beachfront entrance of Hotel Casa del Mar, not at Segway of Santa Monica.
• The shoe policy needs checking: Sandals, flip-flops, and sports shoes are prohibited, so ask the operator what to wear.

Learning the Segway before the beach ride

If you have never ridden a Segway, the first few minutes matter. You are not expected to know how to operate one when you arrive: the guide provides a safety briefing and instruction before the tour moves out. A past rider described practicing in a parking lot until the group felt ready to ride through busier areas.

That brief practice is more than a formality. The tour passes through popular public spaces, so you will want to be comfortable starting, stopping, and steering before you focus on the scenery. The Segway’s main advantage is straightforward: it lets you cover more ground than a walking tour in the same two-hour window, while keeping you out in the open air.

The trade-off is that you are standing and balancing for the duration of the ride. If you would rather explore at a slower pace, stop frequently, or walk along the sand, a walking outing may suit you better. This route follows the waterfront and boardwalks, not a beach walk.

Santa Monica’s pier, property, and waterfront

Santa Monica sets the scene with a coastline that is both a public playground and a showcase for seaside real estate. The tour includes the Santa Monica Pier, a historic landmark with a familiar place in the city’s image. Seeing it from a moving route gives you a sense of how the pier sits within the wider beachfront rather than treating it as a separate stop.

The route also passes Ocean Front Walk, where you can take in galleries and coastal homes. The appeal is the changing view: public beach life alongside polished properties and cultural stops. You will not be seeing every gallery or home from inside, and the two-hour schedule is better suited to a broad introduction than an extended visit to any one place.

One named stop is the California Heritage Museum. The tour passes by it, which adds a cultural landmark to a ride otherwise shaped by beaches, architecture, and people-watching. The description does not promise an interior visit, so think of it as a point of interest along the route rather than a museum admission.

Muscle Beach and the Venice boardwalk

As you continue toward Venice, the mood changes. This area is known for its active beach community, street performers, and bohemian feel. Muscle Beach is one of the best-known stops, with a name that has traveled far beyond California through its appearances in films and popular culture.

The boardwalk is a people-watching route as much as a scenic one. Street performers and passersby add to the sense of Venice as a place people use, not just a backdrop for photographs. That public energy is part of the fun, though it also means you are riding through a popular area rather than gliding along a quiet, empty path.

Your guide helps frame what you see as you go. Guides on past tours have included Luce and Cameron, but you should not assume either will lead your departure. The experience is offered in English and Spanish, which gives you a choice of language when booking.

Venice canals and homes unlike the beachside norm

Venice was laid out by developer Abbot Kinney as a fantasy version of the northern Italian city. Its canals and distinctive homes still provide a striking contrast with the open beachfront and boardwalk. The tour includes a ride through this part of Venice, so you get more than the best-known strip by the sand.

I like that contrast as a reason to choose this route over a simple beach outing. You move from the broad coastal setting into a quieter residential scene, where architecture and waterways become the main interest. The tour also points toward Venice’s art galleries and underground arts scene, though the description does not promise entry to a gallery or a dedicated shopping stop.

The canals are a brief part of a wider itinerary, not a slow architectural walk. If you want time to linger by the water or browse galleries, plan a separate visit. The Segway ride is useful for seeing the area in context; it is less suited to anyone hoping to spend the afternoon exploring individual streets on foot.

What the two-hour format means

Two hours is long enough to connect several distinct sights, but short enough to fit into a day that includes other Santa Monica or Los Angeles plans. You get instruction, a guided ride, and a mix of coastal landmarks and Venice character in one outing. The benefit is efficient coverage; the compromise is that individual stops are likely to be brief.

The route is described as traveling along the world-famous Santa Monica and Venice boardwalks, with stops and sights along the way. Exact stop lengths and the group size are not specified. One past departure was effectively a private tour, but that is not something to count on when booking.

The pace will also depend on how quickly the group gets comfortable with the Segways and the conditions along the route. The guide’s role is especially valuable here: you are not just following a map, but learning to ride and moving through public areas with support. Still, if you want a fully independent outing or a long stop at each landmark, this guided format may feel brisk.

Is $199 a fair price?

At $199 per person, this is a premium two-hour activity. Its value rests on the combination of Segway use, guide, helmet, instruction, snacks, and beverages, plus the chance to cover both Santa Monica and Venice in one guided outing. You are paying for an activity and an efficient overview, not simply for transportation.

The price will make more sense if riding a Segway is part of the appeal, or if you have limited time and want a guided introduction to two beach districts. If you are happy walking, you may prefer to explore the waterfront at your own pace instead. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so factor in the cost and time of getting to the meeting point.

A nearby cash parking lot beside Casa del Mar is listed at $7 to $12. That is useful if you are driving, but the tour price does not include parking. The guide’s role and the initial instruction are meaningful parts of the value, particularly if this is your first time on a Segway.

Meeting point, footwear, and other practical details

Meet at the beachfront entrance of Hotel Casa del Mar, near the toll booth just south of the hotel. The address is 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Do not confuse this departure with Segway of Santa Monica, which is a different company. Look for a guide wearing an Another Side Tours shirt and riding a Segway; if you have trouble finding the spot, call 310-289-8687.

If you drive, the cash parking lot next to the hotel costs about $7 to $12. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your own way to the start and allow enough time to find the correct entrance.

The footwear rule deserves attention before you set out. Sandals and flip-flops are not permitted, and neither are sports shoes. Since those rules eliminate many common choices for a beach day, contact the provider to confirm what footwear is accepted rather than guessing.

Participants must be at least 8 years old. The tour is not suitable for children under 8. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and booking confirmation is sent within 48 hours of purchase.

Who should book this ride?

I would consider this tour if you enjoy trying a new way to get around, want a guide to introduce you to Santa Monica and Venice, and are comfortable with a brisk outdoor outing. Families with older children may find the mix of riding, landmarks, and beach culture more engaging than a standard sightseeing bus. The minimum age is 8, so it does not work for families with younger children.

It is also a sensible choice if your time is limited and you would like to see the pier, Muscle Beach, the canals, and the waterfront in one go. If your main interest is swimming, lingering on the sand, or spending hours in galleries, choose a slower plan and treat the Segway tour as optional.

Book it if the ride itself sounds fun and the footwear rule works for you. Skip it if you dislike standing activities, want extended time at each sight, or would rather explore entirely on foot.

FAQ

How long is the Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

What sights does the tour include?

It includes the Santa Monica Pier, Muscle Beach, Venice canals and distinctive homes, Ocean Front Walk, and the California Heritage Museum.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the beachfront entrance of Hotel Casa del Mar, near the toll booth just south of the hotel, at 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

Is the meeting point the same as Segway of Santa Monica?

No. The tour meets at Casa del Mar and is operated by Another Side Tours. Segway of Santa Monica is a different company.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a Segway, helmet, safety instruction, professional guide, snacks, and beverages.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Participants must be at least 8 years old. Children under 8 are not eligible.

What shoes can I wear?

Sandals, flip-flops, and sports shoes are not allowed. Contact the provider to confirm which footwear is acceptable.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.